Duke Wins Atlantic Coast Conference Opener In Blacksburg With Rout Of Virginia Tech

Last season Duke suffered a loss to Virginia Tech in Durham by a score of 31-14.

This season they had a different outcome as David Cutcliffe and Duke went into Blacksburg and soundly defeated Virginia Tech.

. – Duke football scored 31-straight points to take down Virginia Tech, 45-10, Friday night in its ACC opener at Lane Stadium. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/9/27/football-duke-victorious-in-acc-opener-45-10.aspx

The Blue Devils only managed five total yards in the first quarter but responded in a big way with three touchdowns and 165 yards in the next period to create a 21-3 gap between the teams. An additional 10 points in the third quarter ultimately put the game away for the visitors. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/9/27/football-duke-victorious-in-acc-opener-45-10.aspx

Tonight's 45-10 victory was the largest by the Blue Devils over the Hokies since Duke won three in a row from 1949-51. The Blue Devils rolled over then VPI by scores of 55-7 in 1949, 47-6 in 1950 and 55-6 in 1951. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/9/27/football-duke-victorious-in-acc-opener-45-10.aspx

Redshirt senior quarterback Quentin Harris finished 20-of-27 for 163 yards and two passing scores. The Wilton, Conn., native added another 100 yards and one touchdown via the ground game. His two passing touchdowns tied him for second all-time in Duke's records book with Steve Slayden (1987) and Thaddeus Lewis (2007) with 10 scores over a three-game stretch. Harris found teammate Noah Gray for both of those TDs. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/9/27/football-duke-victorious-in-acc-opener-45-10.aspx

Mataeo Durant led the receiving corp with 53 yards on three catches. His three grabs matched his career-high, while the 53 yards handed the sophomore a new career best. Gray and Deon Jackson helped Duke's cause with 50 and 45 yards, respectively. Jackson finished with a rushing and receiving score, while Gray posted his first career multi-touchdown game. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/9/27/football-duke-victorious-in-acc-opener-45-10.aspx

A highlight of the contest was when Jalon Calhoun and Jackson converted on a trick play right before half. Calhoun took a lateral pass from Harris before finding Jackson in stride for the 25-yard score to hand the Blue Devils a 21-3 lead.”according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/9/27/football-duke-victorious-in-acc-opener-45-10.aspx

Koby Quansah and Brandon Hill led the team in tackles with 13 and 11, respectively. With their double-digit tackles, it marked the second time this season the Blue Devils had multiple players with 10-plus take downs (Dylan Singleton with 13 and Quansah with 11 against Alabama). “according to https://goduke.com/news/2019/9/27/football-duke-victorious-in-acc-opener-45-10.aspx

While Duke got their first win in Atlantic Coast Conference play Virginia Tech meanwhile suffered yet another loss in the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Duke quarterback Quentin Harris threw two touchdown passes and ran for a score, lifting the Blue Devils to a 45-10 victory over Virginia Tech in an ACC game played Friday night at Lane Stadium. “according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

With the loss, the Hokies fell to 2-2 on the season, 0-2 in the ACC. Duke moved to 3-1 overall, 1-0 in league play. “according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

The Hokies led 3-0 at the end of the first quarter after a 20-yard field goal by Brian Johnson, but the Blue Devils converted a Tech fumble into a Harris touchdown pass to Noah Gray with a little more than 11 minutes left in the half. That started a string in which Duke scored touchdowns on three straight possessions to end the first half. “according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

Duke added to its lead in the third quarter with a 32-yard field goal from AJ Reed and a 42-yard touchdown run by Harris. “according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

Tech's lone score in the second half came on a 72-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Willis to Damon Hazelton with 2:31 remaining in the third quarter.”according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

Deshawn McClease rushed for 102 yards on 17 carries. Willis completed 7 of 18 for 112 yards, with a touchdown and an interception, as the Hokies finished with just 259 yards. “according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

Harris led the Blue Devils, completing 20 of 27 for 163 yards and two touchdowns. He also rushed for 100 yards on 17 carries on a night when Duke wound up with 422 yards. “according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

KEY PLAY
With a 3-0 lead, Tech faced a second-and-3 from its own 40. Hendon Hooker, who had been inserted into the game at the start of the drive, attempted a handoff to Keshawn King, but the two of them never connected, and Duke's Koby Quansah recovered the fumble at the Tech 16. On the next play, Duke's Quentin Harris threw a 16-yard touchdown pass to Noah Gray to give the Blue Devils a 7-3 with 11:20 left in the half. The Blue Devils did not trail again. “according to https://hokiesports.com/news/2019/9/27/football-harris-big-night-lifts-duke-past-tech.aspx

Duke will return to Durham to host Pittsburgh next Saturday night.