Duke (2-1), which trailed for the first time this season, moved into Northwestern territory and converted a fourth down, but came up short on a fourth-and-7 from the Wildcats 32.
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It started well for Duke. The Florida State game will mark the first of 10 ACC games throughout the rest of the regular season. Eleven consecutive possessions ended with a punt. The entire conference has been ranked in 27 consecutive polls, a streak dating back to October, 2012.
Two plays later Sirk tried another swing pass but it was picked off by Northwestern’s 6-6 defensive end Dean Lowry.
“We knew that would be an emphasis to get turnovers”, Lowry said. “It’s one of the best years I can remember them having”, Church said.
Northwestern, substituting liberally to combat the heat in the second half, ran the ball better than Duke and was able to control the clock with its two-score lead. The Wildcats scored 12 straight points – helped by two Jack Mitchell field goals – for all the points they’d need. 2.
Both turnovers occurred in the final four minutes of the half. They each booted the ball away seven times in the first half Saturday.
As well they should.
It was a punishing way to try to gain yards against a Northwestern defense that was purposeful and effective in quickly containing each Duke offensive series.
Northwestern (3-0) never led in the first half, but the momentum turned quickly and the Wildcats forced Duke into 11 punts.
Although frustrated with the outcome of last Sunday’s game, head coach Robbie Church said his team played well for the majority of the contest-controlling the ball well-and will focus on creating more opportunities on goal. “Obviously, some guys were out of position”.
Clemson and senior T.J. Casner would come right back in the flow of play and score the eventual game-winner thirty seconds later.
“This is big time from the academic comparable standpoint”, said Fitzgerald after the game with a towel from the afternoon heat still draped over his shoulder. Duke especially had trouble through the air, as quarterback Thomas Sirk struggled finding anything open down the field and averaged just 3.8 yards per attempt.
Was Sirk too quick to go to Plan B? Duke’s actual receivers caught a combined 11 passes.
Cutcliffe said he would have to look at the film but acknowledged that it was “not normal to have that many lay-offs”. They did what we expected them to do. “Hopefully we can just shut her down and slow down their offense”.
Duke faces their first real test of the season as #23 Northwestern comes to town in what should be a hard-fought battle between two undefeated private football schools. The gamble failed when Sirk scrambled for only two yards.
Things going for the Blue Devils: Duke might have the best coach in the ACC and possibly one of the tops in the country, they are prepared and are no longer an easy win for FBS teams anymore. The ‘Cats are suddenly a legitimate threat to compete not just for a bowl appearance, but maybe even to make some noise in the Big Ten. Northwestern played with a national ranking for the first time since October 2013….
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Less than three minutes later McDonald sent a pass to the outside of the 18 to Dorsey, who crossed in a flawless ball in front of the goal to a sliding Pecht. Proctor said Beckwith-who has also assisted on three of the team’s seven goals-would factor into the Duke scouting report. He has no touchdown passes, one interception. Keith Marshall chipped in with four carries for 19 yards and a score. Nick Chubb rushed 21 times for 159 yards and two touchdowns.
