EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – Graduate running back JordanWaters rushed for two touchdowns as No. 18 Duke improved to 4-0 on the season with a 41-7 victory over Connecticut on Saturday afternoon at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.
The Duke defense held Connecticut to just 203 total yards as senior AeneasPeebles logged 2.5 tackles for loss and redshirt senior DeWayneCarter added a 26-yard fumble return for a touchdown. The Huskies’ lone score of the day came with 12 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.
Waters scored twice on the ground and now has a team-leading seven rushing touchdowns on the year. The Fairmont, N.C., native has scored in every game this season and has found the end zone twice in Duke’s last three contests.
Junior quarterback Riley Leonard finished the day 23-of-34 passing for 248 yards and one touchdown. Both his completions and yardage in the game marked season highs.
How It Happened
- Waters started the scoring with a one-yard touchdown rush midway through the first quarter to put the Blue Devils up 7-0.
- Duke extended its lead to 10-0 after a Todd Pelino career-long 50-yard field goal capped a 13-play, 63-yard drive early in the second frame.
- On the ensuing drive, the Blue Devils recovered a fumble and turned it into points when Waters found pay dirt for the second time in the game.
- Duke added 10 additional points before halftime following a three-yard rushing touchdown by Leonard and another Pelino field goal, this time from 40-yards out, to take a 27-0 lead into the break.
- Midway through the third quarter, Ryan Smith forced a Huskies’ fumble, which Carter recovered and returned into the end zone for Duke’s third-straight game with four-plus total touchdowns.
- Duke continued to add on with a 22-yard touchdown reception by Jordan Moore to make it a 41-0 ballgame with three minutes remaining in the third quarter.
- The Huskies closed out the scoring with 12 seconds remaining in the game after Ta’Quan Roberson scored from two yards out.
Notables
- Duke begins the year with four consecutive 20-plus point wins, marking the first time in program history.
- The Blue Devils move to 11-0 when scoring first.
- The 20 points scored in the second frame were the most in a quarter this season.
- Duke has now won the turnover battle in five consecutive games and are 10-2 when doing so under head coach Mike Elko.
- Duke held UConn to 203 yards of total offense, making the third consecutive game in which the Blue Devils held their opponent to under 300 yards of offense.
- The Blue Devils held UConn to a mere 32 yards of offense and just four first downs in the first half alone.
- Duke limited the Huskies to just 4-of-14 on third down conversions.
- Leonard recorded his second-straight game with 200-plus passing yards.
- Moore finished with a team-high eight receptions for 86 yards with one score.
- Pelino moves to 11th all-time in program lore for consecutive PATs made (41) after converting on five against the Huskies.
- Nick Morris Jr. led the defense with eight tackles, including the first fumble recovery of his career.
- Peebles finished with four tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Up Next
- Duke welcomes No. 9 Notre Dame on Saturday, Sept. 30 for a top-25 meeting at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. The game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on ABC. The Fighting Irish dropped a 17-14 decision to No. 6 Ohio State on Saturday.
- ESPN’s College GameDay will travel to Durham this coming weekend for the game.
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