Duke Falls To Alabama In Atlanta
A season ago Duke beat Army West Point by a score of 34-14 in their season opener.
Fast forward to 2019 Duke dropped their season opener to Alabama.
Alabama defeated Duke, 42-3, Saturday afternoon in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211810567
The Blue Devils held their nationally-ranked foe scoreless for the opening 15 minutes but saw the Crimson Tide break out for back-to-back scores to open the second quarter. Duke was still trailing 14-0 late in first half when redshirt junior AJ Reed connected on a 30-yard field goal to put the Blue Devils on the scoreboard. Unfortunately, Alabama responded with 21 points in the third quarter to ultimately put the game away. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211810567
In his third career start, Blue Devils’ quarterback Quentin Harris threw for 97 yards on 22 attempts with two interceptions. Noah Gray was his main target through the air as the junior finished with five catches for 45 yards. Brittain Brown racked up 36 yards via the ground game on seven carries. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211810567
Defensively Duke was led by senior Dylan Singleton, who posted a career-high 13 tackles. Senior linebacker Koby Quansah followed closely with 11 tackles and Duke’s first sack of the year. Junior Michael Carter II and redshirt freshman Shaka Heyward added nine tackles each. “according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211810567
While Duke’s season got off to a losing start Alabama meanwhile was on the other end of the spectrum.
A stout defense and stellar quarterback play propelled the No. 2 Alabama football team to a 42-3 win over Duke in the 2019 Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game in Mercedes-Benz Stadium Saturday. The Crimson Tide improved to 1-0 to start the season and 6-0 all-time in Chick-fil-A Kickoff Games. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
How it Happened
After a scoreless opening quarter, the Tide put together a 12-play, 80-yard scoring drive for its first points of the 2019 season. Junior quarterback Tua Tagovailoa found redshirt junior Miller Forristall for the tight end's first career touchdown reception from 27 yards out to put the Tide on top 7-0 with 10:02 to go before halftime. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
On its next offensive possession, the Crimson Tide found the end zone once again after junior running back Brian Robinson Jr. scored from one yard out to cap a seven-play, 76-yard drive and make it 14-0 with just over five minutes remaining in the half. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
The Blue Devils hit a 30-yard field goal with seconds left before the break to make it 14-3 heading into halftime. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
Following a fourth-down stop, the Alabama offense regained possession of the ball at its own 35-yard line and put together another touchdown drive. Tagovailoa threw his second touchdown of the day, connecting with redshirt sophomore tight end Major Tennison from one yard out for Tennison's first career TD grab to finish a nine-play 65-yard effort. Alabama led 21-3 with 8:34 in the third.”according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
On the next play from scrimmage, the Tide's swarming defense forced its first turnover of the game when sophomore defensive back Patrick Surtain II ripped the ball out of the Duke receiver's hands and senior cornerback Trevon Diggs recovering the fumble at the Duke 28-yard line. Three plays later, Tagovailoa recorded his third TD pass of the game, hooking up with junior wideout DeVonta Smith for an eight-yard strike to pad the UA lead to 28-3.”according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
The Tide scored once again on its next offensive possession, rumbling 90 yards in nine plays finished off by a Tagovailoa pass to junior wide receiver Jerry Jeudy who scampered 21 yards for the score. The Tide went up 35-3 with 1:36 left in the third quarter. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
Alabama continued to pour on the points in the fourth quarter when redshirt freshman running back Jerome Ford galloped 37 yards for the first score of his young career. The Crimson Tide led 42-3 with 4:51 on the clock and sealed the victory with an interception by freshman defensive back Jordan Battle in the final minute of the game. “according to https://rolltide.com/news/2019/8/31/stingy-defense-and-tagovailoas-career-day-propels-no-2-alabama-football-to-42-3-victory-over-duke-in-chick-fil-a-kickoff-game.aspx
Duke will now head back to Durham to prepare to not only bounce back but to host NC A &T for their home opener on Saturday.