Starting Wednesday, the athletic department will look at the weather forecast to see what the chance of rain is for the 3:30 p.m. game against Boston Collegeon Saturday.
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The Blue Devils were inside the red zone three times – twice on lengthy drives – and came away with a pair of Ross Martin field goals. If the game is cancelled, fans can exchange the ticket for one to another game with a similar seat location. The Eagles had the chance to take the lead late, but a Colton Lichtenberg field goal missed wide left. Duke’s passing attack was short dump offs by quarterback Thomas Sirk who connected on 17-25 for 114 yards with an eleven yard TD to TJ Rahming along with a pair of picks.
The Eagles amassed just 100 total yards in the first half after failing to complete any of their nine passing attempts.
Sirk was asked after the game whether the offense scoring no touchdowns was because of a lack of execution or an outstanding BC defense. So with a traditional run game not an option, Cutcliffe went to a familiar alternative: quick bubble screen passes.
It may not be obvious by looking at the box score, but the Duke offense actually showed a few progress this week.
Presently the Boston College Eagles have a record of 3-1, and have placed a corresponding line up of 1-2-1 against the spread. Duke will have to get creative to pierce it. Against BC they were able to create a little space, but couldn’t hold onto the ball. Duke went heavy on the screens in the second half in attempt to keep the clock running, but the skill players still had limited success getting the edge against the Eagles. “Our (defensive backs) have been coming up smacking people as well”. Jon Hilliman had a great game as well, adding 119 rushing yards and a TD on 24 carries.
Special teams play had a huge impact on the game.
Duke’s problems on the ground were especially evident in the third quarter. Duke wasn’t able to cash in, but the games lone turnover gave the Duke defense an opportunity to rest up for what would be a tiring second half.
In a rainy day in Durham, Duke outlasted the Boston College Eagles 9-7 behind an always stout defense.
Johnell Barnes returned in the 2 half and immediately recovered a muffed punt that set Duke up for a potential score.
With Hurricane Joaquin potentially making landfall in North Carolina this weekend, the prospect of torrential downpour affecting Duke’s attendance for its football game on Saturday was the topic of discussion among the school’s marketing team.
Duke is now 4-1 in consecutive seasons for the first time since 1962-65 as they travel to West Point to face Army next week.
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Duke is now 13-5 in the ACC since the start of the 2013 season. The Eagles also are 3-1, and their only loss is to defending conference champion Florida State.
