BLACKSBURG, Va. – Duke dropped a 48-17 decision to Virginia Tech on Saturday afternoon at Lane Stadium.
The Blue Devils trailed 27-3 midway through the third quarter when freshman quarterback Jordan Moore found sophomore Eli Pancol in the end zone to cut into the Hokies’ lead. Virginia Tech answered with two scores, including a fumble recovery for a touchdown to extend its advantage to 41-10. Duke tried to rally over the remaining minutes and Moore found paydirt from four yards out, but the deficit proved to be too much.
Moore finished 6-of-12 for 63 yards and one score. His 28-yard touchdown pass to Pancol was the first career passing score for the Sykesville, Md., native. Moore also chipped in with his third rushing score of the season and wrapped up his day with 17 rushes for 113 yards.
Freshman Riley Leonard earned the start on Saturday, becoming the first true freshman at Duke to start at quarterback since Thaddeus Lewis did so against Wake Forest on Sept. 9, 2006. Leonard was just the eighth true freshman to start at quarterback at Duke in the past 71 seasons, joining Jerry Barger (1951 vs. South Carolina), Hal Spears (1972 vs. N.C. State), Mike Dunn (1975 vs. Army), Ben Bennett (1980 vs. East Carolina), Steve Slayden (1984 vs. Virginia), Zack Asack (2005 vs. Navy) & Lewis (2006 vs. Wake Forest).
Leonard went 7-of-16 for 84 yards and added 30 rushing yards on 16 carries.
Senior Mataeo Durant inched closer to Duke’s single-season rushing record with 33 yards in Saturday’s contest. Durant now has 1,096 for the year and is 140 shy of matching Steve Jones’ 1972 program record of 1,236.
Senior wide receiver Jake Bobo paced the Duke receiving corps with three receptions for 32 yards. Junior Jalon Calhoun chipped in with four catches for 22 yards.
Defensive tackle DeWayne Carter and safety Da’Quan Johnson led the Blue Devils on defense with six tackles apiece. Carter, cornerback Josh Blackwell and linebacker Shaka Heyward each recorded one tackle for loss, while defensive end R.J. Oben intercepted a pass, which set up a Duke field goal in the second quarter.
The Blue Devils have a quick turnaround as they welcome Louisville on Thursday night to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. The contest is set for 7:30 p.m. and will be broadcast on ESPN.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThe Nest with East Forsyth HC Todd Willert – Season 6 Ep 14 – Tues Nov 19th 2024
Hosted by Rod Funderburk, recorded live from J. Peppers Southern Bar and Grille, Kernersville,...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThe Desmond Johnson Show – Weds Nov 20th 2024
The Desmond Johnson Show – Weds Nov 20th 2024 Its High School Football Weds!...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoTitans Talk with West Forsyth HC Kevin Wallace – Season 5 Ep 11 – Mon Nov 18th 2024
Hosted by JP Mundy. Recorded live from The Playground Golf and Sports Bar in...
-
Podcast
/ 2 days agoThis is Whirlie Nation – Season 2 Ep 10 – Mon Nov 18th 2024
Hosted by Mike Fanning, recorded live from Natty Greene’s in Greensboro every Monday in...
ACC Football
-
ACC Football
/ 1 week agoDabo Swinney defends ACC competitiveness, uses Vanderbilt wins over Alabama, Auburn to make point
Published by On3 Clemson earned a hard-fought road win at Virginia Tech on Saturday...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoPaul Finebaum weighs in on Mike Norvell hot seat, potential of Deion Sanders to FSU
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum didn’t mince words in evaluating Florida State’s falloff from...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoPaul Finebaum assesses damage to Miami, ACC College Football Playoff chances
Published by On3 Paul Finebaum knows Miami did some damage to itself by losing...
-
ACC Football
/ 2 weeks agoDemon Deacons Drop High-Scoring 46-36 Contest to California
Courtesy GoDeacs.com WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – Despite a valiant effort to comeback from a 15-point third...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 3 days agoCarolina Panthers sign former first-round DB Caleb Farley to active roster
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers are signing former first-round pick defensive back Caleb...
-
NFL
/ 1 week agoMiles Sanders injury update: NFL insider reveals latest on Panthers RB’s availability
Published by On3 Carolina Panthers (3-7) running back Miles Sanders is considered day-to-day with...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoPanthers edge Giants in overtime at Munich NFL game
Published by DPA International The Carolina Panthers beat the New York Giants 20-17 in...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoCarolina Panthers lock up RB Chuba Hubbard with 4-year, $33.2 million extension
Published by On3 The Carolina Panthers have come to an agreement on an extension...