Mataeo Durant Had Big Night! Though, His Contributions On The Gridiron Weren't Enough Because Duke Was Topped 31-28 By Charlotte In Charlotte North Carolina In Season Opener Last Night

Mateo Durant who is a running back for Duke as well as a senior had big night in Duke’s season opener verses Charlotte in Charlotte North Carolina last night!

How big?

Mataeo Durant contributed 255 yards!

Though, his contributions on the gridiron in Duke’s season opener weren’t enough!

Why?

Because Duke was topped by Charlotte by a score of 31-28!

Why?

Charlotte scored the go ahead ahead touchdown with 33 seconds remaining to ultimately clinch the upset after Durant had put Duke in front 28-24 with under two minutes to play.

“according to an article on goduke.com”

Charlotte’s four touchdown drives covered 80, 75, 92 and 75 yards. The final two came on the 49ers last two possessions, erasing Duke leads both times.

“according to Stephen Wisman’s article on newsobserver.com”

Duke is now going to prepare for their home opener!

When?

Friday September 10, 2021 when they host NC A &T who today has their season opener on the road at Furman University!

Duke, NC A&T last played each other on the gridiron on September 7, 2019!

Where?

Durham North Carolina!

In that game Duke beat NC A&T by a score of 45-13!

Why?

Then redshirt junior Quentin Harris finished 30-of-42 for 345 yards and four passing touchdowns, while carrying the ball 13 times for 83 yards and an additional score. The Wilton, Conn., native went 21-of-29 for 254 yards through the air in the opening half alone.

Three of Duke's five touchdowns on the night were first career scores. Jalon Calhoun (2), Mataeo Durantand Eli Pancol all found the end zone to hand them No. 1 on their career TDs chart.

Defensively the Blue Devils were led by Dylan Singleton, who racked up an impressive nine tackles. Koby Quansah, Brandon Hill, and Victor Dimukeje chipped in with five, four and four take downs, respectively.

The Aggies jumped on the scoreboard early in the opening period after converting on a 40-yard field goal. Duke responded by scoring their first touchdown of the year to jump in front 7-3. The Blue Devils watched Harris and Calhoun connect on a 38-yard score on the play.

North Carolina A&T used a 66-touchdown yard run by Jeremiah Martin early in the second quarter though to put Duke on its heels. The Blue Devils went unfazed however as they recorded three-straight scores within a little over a three-minute span to break the game open at 28-10.

The three consecutive scores started after Duke sophomore Durant marched into the end zone on a 22-yard touchdown catch-and-go for the Blue Devils' second TD of the game. Leonard Johnson then broke up a pass to force a fumble on the Aggies' next possession. Singleton fell on the loose ball to put the Blue Devils in great scoring position. On the first play after the turnover, Duke found an additional six as Harris connected with Pancol for a 39-yard touchdown. The Duke Blue and White closed out the half with one final touchdown following a six-yard scamper by Harris.
Duke added an additional 10 points in the third quarter following a career-long 50-yard field goal by AJ Reed and another Harris-to-Calhoun touchdown connection. Defensively, redshirt freshman Rocky Shelton II recorded a blocked North Carolina A&T punt, the first for his young Duke career.

Sophomore Durant cashed in one more time when he rushed for one yard for his second touchdown of the evening to extend Duke's lead to what ended up being the final score of 45-13.

To close out the night, the Duke defense forced a second fumble on the Aggies. Tre Hornbuckle stripped the ball and Shelton gathered it to give the Blue Devils back possession.

“according to an article on goduke.com”

Kickoff for Duke, North Carolina A&T is set for 8:00pm from Brooks Field at Wallace Wade!

The game is going to be televised on ACC Network!