DURHAM, N.C. – Duke jumped out to an early lead and never looked back against Charlotte on Saturday night as the Blue Devils took down the 49ers, 53-19, on Halloween night.
The running back duo of senior Deon Jackson and junior Mataeo Durant paved the way for the Blue Devils compiling 205 yards and four touchdowns between them. They each registered two scores for their second multi-touchdown games of the season. Jackson now has five in his career, while Durant has recorded three. The twosome also each surpassed 100-plus yards rushing in a game for the second time this season.
Redshirt junior quarterback Chase Brice quietly finished his night 8-of-14 for 106 yards and one touchdown. The Grayson, Ga., native connected with sophomore wide receiver Jalon Calhoun from eight yards out for Duke’s fifth touchdown of the game. Duke’s seven touchdowns in the contest are the most by the Blue Devils since recording eight against Temple in the 2018 Walk-On’s Independence Bowl.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Shaka Heyward led the Blue Devil defense with 12 tackles, including seven in the opening half. Heyward has now registered five career games with double figure tackles. Redshirt junior defensive end Chris Rumph II accumulated 3.0 sacks, marking the fourth time in his career he earned three-plus sacks in a game. The three sacks also are tied for the fourth most in a game in program history.
The Blue Devils used a big first quarter to create a double-digit lead over the 49ers at 17-0. Jackson and Durant racked up much of Duke’s yardage during the period as both found paydirt for their third and fourth touchdowns of the year, respectively. The 17 points put up in the first quarter were the most by the Blue Devils in an opening frame this season.
Durant added his second score of the night, scampering in from 10 yards out to hand Duke a 24-0 advantage. Durant did the bulk of the work earlier in the drive when he broke free for 60 yards up the middle to put the Blue Devils in good field position.
Midway through the third, Jackson punched one home from five yards out after Duke gained great field position after a blocked punt by Isaiah Fisher-Smith. The Blue Devils also saw Fisher-Smith block an earlier punt in the first quarter, handing the Greensboro, N.C., native his third blocked punt on the year.
Later in third quarter, Brice connected with Calhoun for an eight-yard touchdown reception to ultimately seal the Blue Devil win.
Redshirt freshman Jordan Waters added to Duke’s scoring late in the fourth quarter, punching the ball in from two yards out to earn his first points as a Blue Devil. Waters also set the Blue Devils up for its final touchdown of the night when he broke free down the sideline for 70 yards to the Charlotte five-yard line. Quarterback Gunnar Holmberg then ultimately found the end zone a few plays later for his first career touchdown.
Duke continues its home stand when it welcomes North Carolina next Saturday at 12 p.m. The game will be televised live on ESPN2.
