Duke Returns To Durham For Their Atlantic Coast Conference Home Opener As They Host Pittsburgh

After an impressive win in Blacksburg last Friday over Virginia Tech in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener Duke returns to Durham to face another conference opponent in Pittsburgh for their home Atlantic Coast Conference opener Saturday night.

Duke who is a member of the Coastal Division comes into the game with a record of 3-1 while they’re 1-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and in second place in the Atlantic Coast Conference Coastal Division behind Virginia. while Pittsburgh meanwhile comes into the game with a record of 3-2 while they’re 0-1 in the Atlantic Coast Conference and in fourth place in the Coastal Division behind North Carolina. “according to http://theacc.com/standings.aspx?path=football

As for Duke’s previous game,

As stated above, They won on the road in Blacksburg.

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

Like Duke,

Pittsburgh also won their previous game but unlike Duke they were not playing an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent. Instead they were playing Delaware who is a member of the Colonial Athletic Conference.

Backup quarterback Nick Patti capped a fourth-quarter drive with a touchdown pass to help Pitt survive a scare from Delaware, 17-14, on Saturday. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/9/28/football-pitt-survives-scare-against-delaware-17-14.aspx

Patti, who started in place of Kenny Pickett, directed an eight-play, 90-yard drive, finding Taysir Mack in the end zone from 12 yards out. The long drive put the Panthers (3-2) in the lead for good after an unexpectedly close battle with the Blue Hens.”according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/9/28/football-pitt-survives-scare-against-delaware-17-14.aspx

A pair of short fields after Pitt turnovers led to touchdowns for Delaware. After a Patti interception in the second quarter, Nolan Harrison passed 7 yards to Gene Coleman II to tie the game.”according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/9/28/football-pitt-survives-scare-against-delaware-17-14.aspx

When Maurice Ffrench fumbled in the third quarter to give Delaware (3-2) another short field, Henderson hit Jourdan Townsend with a 5-yard score to give the Blue Hens a four-point lead.”according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/9/28/football-pitt-survives-scare-against-delaware-17-14.aspx

That's when Pitt responded with the long drive from Patti, who finished 23 of 37 for 271 yards, two touchdowns and an interception while making his first career start. He relied heavily on Mack, who had five catches for 124 yards. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/9/28/football-pitt-survives-scare-against-delaware-17-14.aspx

In addition to Pickett, Pitt played without top running backs A.J. Davis and Vincent Davis. “according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/9/28/football-pitt-survives-scare-against-delaware-17-14.aspx

Todd Sibley Jr. saw his most extensive action at running back, with 22 carries for 106 yards for his first career 100-yard rushing performance.”according to https://pittsburghpanthers.com/news/2019/9/28/football-pitt-survives-scare-against-delaware-17-14.aspx

Kick -off is set for 8:00pm from Brooks Field @Wallace Wade Stadium . The game will be televised on the Atlantic Coast Conference Network.