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FOOTBALL

Duke Is Hosting Kansas Today In Durham To Closeout Their Non-Conference Portion Of Their Schedule

Duke who is member of the Atlantic Coast Conference is hosting Kansas who is a member of the Big 12 today in Durham to closeout the non-conference portion of their schedule on the gridiron.

When Duke closes out their non-conference portion of their schedule on the gridiron today they will fight childhood cancer.

How?

By teaming up with Curing Kids Cancer as part of its 'First and Gold' campaign during today’s home game against Kansas.

The 'First and Gold' campaign is a collaboration with Curing Kids Cancer led by collegiate football teams to spread the word that September is National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month. At Duke during the Kansas contest, the Blue Devils will have CuringKidsCancer.org helmet decals. Duke is one of six teams participating in the collaboration this month.

Children's cancer patients, survivors and their families have been invited to be guests during the game and be recognized on the field.

"In the nine years of our "First and Gold" campaign, college football teams have really helped raise awareness of the desperate need for funding for childhood cancer research," said Grainne Owen, Curing Kids Cancer co-founder and president. "That awareness is helping to raise more funds that are making the difference between a child surviving or not. Bottom line – more children are being saved. And that's inspirational!"

Duke is also honoring healthcare workers on Saturday with Healthcare Appreciation Day. The contributions that our healthcare community make day-in and day-out, especially over the last 18 months are unparalleled. Please click to read more.

What is Curing Kids Cancer?
Grainne and Clay Owen founded Curing Kids Cancer, a 501(c)3 nonprofit devoted to funding cutting edge pediatric cancer therapies, after they lost their son, Killian, to leukemia in 2003 when he was nine years old. Since it was founded in 2005, Curing Kids Cancer has raised more than $20 million to fund new childhood cancer treatments and pediatric cancer research. Targeted therapies offer great hope in providing better cures for childhood cancer with fewer side effects. Please visit curingkidscancer.org to learn more.

“according to an article on goduke.com”

Duke comes into their Kansas with a record of 2-1!

Why?

Because they topped Northwestern last Saturday by a score of 30-23!

Where?

On the gridiron!

In their game with Northwestern Duke had a high powered first half and strong defensive second half lifted Duke past Northwestern.

Graduate student quarterback Gunnar Holmberg, senior wide receiver Jake Bobo and senior running back Mataeo Durant led the offense, becoming the 17th trio in program history to record 300-plus passing yards, 100-plus receiving yards and 100-plus rushing yards, respectively, in a single game.

The Duke defense plagued Northwestern, causing five turnovers on the day. Redshirt senior safety Lummie Young IV, redshirt senior cornerback Leonard Johnson and redshirt junior cornerback Jeremiah Lewis each recorded an interception while Young IV and sophomore defensive tackle DeWayne Carterforced fumbles. Graduate student defensive end Ben Frye added recoveries on both of the fumbles.

Duke jumped out to a 27-0 lead after the opening 28 minutes following two touchdowns by Durant, a nine-yard score by freshman quarterback Jordan Mooreand two field goals from redshirt sophomore kicker Charlie Ham. Durant's two scores handed him eight on the season, with seven of those via the ground game.

The visitors were able to break through and register their first touchdown of the game to pull within 27-7 with 1:25 remaining in the half but a career-long 50-yard field goal by Ham would give the Blue Devils a 30-7 edge at the break.

Northwestern would not go away, scoring 16 points in the second half but the Duke defense would hold strong down the stretch to register its second consecutive win.

Holmberg finished his day 31-of-44 passing for 314 yards and a touchdown. Durant led the rushing corps with 102 yards on 22 carries with a score. He also added four receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown.

Bobo surpassed 100-yards receiving for the first time in his career after amassing 109 yards on Saturday. He becomes the first player to register 100-plus receiving yards since Aaron Young did so against Middle Tennessee in 2019.

Duke’s ' 30 points in the opening two periods were also the most points scored in a first half since recording 31 against the Blue Raiders in 2019.

Redshirt junior linebacker Shaka Heyward earned double-digits tackles for the second consecutive game after he finished with 12.

“according to an article on goduke.com”

Kansas comes into the game with a record of 1-2!

Why?

Because they were blown out by Baylor who like them is a member of the Big Twelve!

When?

Last Saturday when they lost a score of 45-7!

Where?

On the gridiron!

In their 45-7 loss to Baylor nsive Notes • Just before the second half, sophomore Trevor Wilson caught a pass from Jason Bean to make the score 14-7. It was Wilson’s first career touchdown as a Jayhawk, while marking Bean’s third touchdown pass of the year. • Junior quarterback Jason Bean rushed for 62 yards against Baylor leading the team. This makes it the third straight game that Bean has led the team in rushing and passing yards. • During the fourth quarter, super-senior Kwamie Lassiter II recorded his 100th career catch and 1,000th career receiving yards. Lassiter moves into sole possession of 15th in KU history in KU receptions. He is just one reception away from moving into 14th (Isaac Byrd, 101). Defensive Notes • Senior Caleb Sampson set a career high in tackles-for-loss on Saturday, recording tw0. He has recorded five career tackles-for-loss. • In the first quarter, freshman Ra’Mello Dotson recovered his first career fumble, which he returned for 14 yards. The fumble was forced by Kenny Logan Jr., his second-career forced fumble. Logan also forced a fumble against Baylor in 2020. • Logan recorded a team high eight tackles, he has now led in two of three games this season. Logan also recorded a pass deflection, he now has four pass deflections coming over the last three games. Freshman safety OJ Burroughs recorded his first career forced fumble on Saturday. He also recorded a career-high five tackle.

“according to https://kuathletics.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Baylor-Postgame-Notes.pdf

Kickoff is set for 4:00pm from Brooks Field @ Wallace Wade Stadium!

The game is going to be televised on the ACC Network!