Courtesy GoDuke.com
CHARLOTTE – Senior running back Mataeo Durant set the Duke single-game rushing record with 255 yards, but it was not enough as the Blue Devils fell to Charlotte on Friday night, 31-28.
The home side scored the go-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.
Durant’s record-breaking performance during his first collegiate start was a highlight for the Blue Devils as he finished with 255 rushing yards on 29 carries with three touchdowns. The Plum Branch, S.C., native’s 255 yards topped Shaun Wilson’s previous record of 245 yards against Kansas in 2014. Durant closed out his night with 49 receiving yards on two catches.
The running back tandem of Durant and redshirt sophomore Jordan Waters accounted for all four Blue Devil scores. Waters finished with 65 yards rushing on five carries and 40 yards receiving on two catches with a touchdown.
After the opening 20 minutes, Charlotte held the 10-0 edge. Duke responded with 14-straight points to pull in front 14-10 with a little under three minutes remaining in the half. Waters started the scoring by breaking one tackle along the sideline and scampering in for six. A few minutes later Durant muscled his way into the end zone from five yards out to cap a nine play, 63-yard drive. Durant rushed for seven of those nine plays.
The 49ers answered right out of halftime to jump back in front at 17-14 following a one-yard rushing score. The home side held that edge heading into the final frame.
Durant took over in the fourth quarter for Duke though breaking for touchdown runs of 59 and 53 yards. He became just the sixth player in program history to record two rushing touchdowns of 50-plus yards in a single game. His first score handed Duke the 21-17 edge but the 49ers responded with a touchdown of their own to jump back in front at 24-21. Durant’s final touchdown a few minutes later handed the visitors a 28-24 lead with 1:44 remaining in the game. Unfortunately, Charlotte answered with a touchdown with only 33 seconds left to play to secure the upset win.
Graduate student quarterback Gunnar Holmberg finished his night 20-for-29 for 258 yards and one touchdown in his first collegiate start. Holmberg targeted senior wide receiver Jake Bobo a team-high seven times for 93 yards.
Redshirt senior safety Lummie Young IV led the Blue Devil defense with 10 tackles and two pass breakups. Junior safety Jalen Alexander chipped in with nine tackles, while graduate student Ben Frye and redshirt sophomore R.J. Oben accounted for two tackles for loss, respectively.
Redshirt sophomore kicker Charlie Ham converted on all four of his PAT attempts. Fellow classmate and punter Porter Wilson recorded five punts for 201 yards.
Duke is back in action Friday, Sept. 10 when it welcomes North Carolina A&T for its home opener. Opening kick is set for 8 p.m. at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium and will be carried on the ACC Network.
