Duke And NC State Are Matching Up For The First Time In Seven Years In Raleigh
The last time Duke and NC State met on the gridiron was November 9, 2013!
Where?
In Durham North Carolina!
In that game Devon Edwards scored three touchdowns —two on interception returns in a span of 16 seconds in the fourth quarter — to help Duke beat North Carolina State 38-20! “according to https://goduke.com/news/2013/11/10/209303911.aspx
Today Duke and NC State will meet for the first time in seven years!
Where?
North Carolina’s state capital where Duke will look to win yet another game over NC State while NC State will look to avenge their loss from seven years ago to Duke and where two brothers who used to be on the same sideline as well as the same coaching staff will be opposing one another for the first time!
Who are they?
Zac and Kurt Roper!
Zac Roper is currently on David Cucliffe’s coaching staff at Duke where he is the Baxter Family Deputy Head Coach and Offensive Coordinator while mentoring the Blue Devil quarterbacks. From 2013-15, he served as Duke’s Special Teams Coordinator and Recruiting Coordinator while coaching the tight ends while his brother Kurt Roper is currently the Running Backs Coach at NC State! “according to https://gopack.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/kurt-roper/3474
However, both Zac Roper and Kurt Roper were on David Cutcliffe’s staff at one time!
When?
When Kurt Roper Mentored QB Thaddeus Lewis, who spent six years in the NFL after a record-breaking college career.
- Finished as Duke’s all-time leader in pass attempts, pass completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns. He joined Phillip Rivers as just the second player in ACC history to throw for over 10,000 yards.
- In 2013, the Blue Devils enjoyed a record-setting campaign, winning a program-best 10 games en route to capturing the ACC’s Coastal Division championship.
- His offense set the school record for total touchdowns (60), while becoming the first squad in Blue Devil history to score over 20 rushing and passing touchdowns in the same season.
- Also coached Blue Devil QB Anthony Boone - Duke’s winningest quarterback with 19 victories.
- While he was OC Brandon Connette became Duke’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns and wide receiver Jamison Crowder established school single-season records for receptions (108) and receiving yards (1,301).
- Quarterback Sean Renfree was selected to the prestigious AFCA Good Works Team before going on to be a seventh round draft pick of the Atlanta Falcons in 2013. “according to https://gopack.com/sports/football/roster/coaches/kurt-roper/3474
Duke comes into the game with a record of 1-4 while NC State comes into the game with a record of 3-1!
As for Duke’s previous game,
They got into the win column for the first time this season!
When?
A week ago when they traveled to Syracuse New York where they took on Syracuse!
How?
The running back duo of junior Mataeo Durant and senior Deon Jackson combined for 357 yards rushing and two scores to lead Duke past Syracuse, 38-24,
Durant and Jackson paced the Blue Devil offense as both totaled career high yards of 188 and 169, respectively. This marked the first time since the 2015 Pinstripe Bowl in which Duke had two players with 100+ rushing yards and was the first time in the Cutcliffe era that Duke had two players with 150+ rushing yards. Durant also added two rushing scores for the first multi-touchdown game of his career. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/10/10/football-duke-runs-past-syracuse-38-24.aspx
Redshirt junior quarterback Chase Brice finished 22-of-38 with 270 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Gunnar Holmberg also saw action, completing his lone pass attempt for 12 yards to sophomore wide receiver Jalon Calhoun in the second quarter. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/10/10/football-duke-runs-past-syracuse-38-24.aspx
Wide receivers redshirt sophomore Jarett Garner and junior Jake Bobo were Duke's top receiving threats with 73 and 70 yards, respectively. The Blue Devil quarterbacks targeted nine+ different receivers for the fourth time this season. according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/10/10/football-duke-runs-past-syracuse-38-24.aspx
Redshirt junior cornerback Leonard Johnson, senior defensive tackle Derrick Tangelo, and redshirt sophomore safety Nate Thompson led the Duke defense with six tackles each. Tangelo also paced the defense with a career-high three tackles for loss. In addition, Duke totaled a season-high six sacks, highlighted by redshirt junior Chris Rumph II and senior Victor Dimukeje with 2.0 and 1.5, respectively. https://goduke.com/news/2020/10/10/football-duke-runs-past-syracuse-38-24.aspx
Redshirt freshman kicker Charlie Ham converted on all three of his field goal attempts, including his second make of over 40+ yards. “according to https://goduke.com/news/2020/10/10/football-duke-runs-past-syracuse-38-24.aspx
Like Duke,
NC State won their previous game,
Where?
Charlottesville Virginia!
Over who?
Virginia!
Why?
Because NC State led from start to finish and picked up its second straight road ACC win, winning at Virginia 38-21.
In the game QB Devin Leary had a pair of first quarter TD pass, first 5 yards to Trent Pennix and then 32 yards to Cary Angeline for the first two touchdowns of the day. “according to https://gopack.com/news/2020/10/10/football-pack-comes-home-with-second-straight-road-win.aspx
Kickoff is set for 3:30pm from Carter Finley Stadium!
The game will be televised on The Regional Sports Network!