The Eagles also are 3-1, and their only loss is to defending conference champion Florida State.
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The special teams edge lies wholly with the Blue Devils who have the electric Devon Edwards who ran his first kickoff back for a touchdown this season against the Yellow Jackets.
As for the second-half production difference, Sirk doesn’t see anything tangible that changes from half to half, other than the standard defensive adjustments that every opponent is going to make.
The Duke defense turned in another strong performance and carried the team to a victory. Although the Eagles made an offensive push in the final minutes of the contest, Duke’s defense once again held firm to secure the victory.
To be fair, Boston College entered the game ranked first nationally in terms of total defense. The Blue Devils have tallied just one offensive touchdown in the second half of their last three games. While the most favorable draw, it is about the best Duke could hope for. BC rushed 41 times in the game, an expected strategy, and broke off a handful of runs of 10+ yards.
The ACC reviewed the film, but they flat out got it wrong. They had a great defensive stop down on the goal line (Duke came away with no points after first-and-goal from the 1-yard line).
Duke is a seven-point favorite against the Eagles. It was never going to be easy against, arguably, the best defense in the country so far this season. The ACC’s second-leading passer, Thomas Sirk (868 yards, 6 TDs), will be featured in this game.
The total has gone UNDER in 4 of Duke’s last 5 games. The only problem was, his receivers couldn’t consistently haul in the pass. Sirk was firing pinpoint passes with plenty of zip on the ball, but on multiple occasions he would see the ball bounce off the intended target’s hands. Against BC they were able to create a little space, but couldn’t hold onto the ball. The Blue Devils have already done it three times this season alone. TJ Rahming let a touchdown pass go through his arms in the first quarter. Martin’s third field goal, which provided the game-winnign points, was a 53-yarder into the wind.
It was highlighted before the game in our preview that it was imperative that Duke not turn the ball over in the wet conditions.
Duke finished with 33 rushing yards. “Our (defensive backs) have been coming up smacking people as well”.
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. Jeff Smith on why he slid 4 yards shy of a first down after gaining 16 yards: “I just wasn’t thinking, but I was trying to stay safe with it and not try to take any extra shots.”… Watch Boston College Eagles vs Duke Blue Devils live stream online NCAA College Football ESPN3 TV broadcast coverage, live scores, Game Kickoff time & schedule and Radio Commentary info here. Johnell Barnes recovered a fumbled punt early in the second half.
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Duke has now started 4-1 in consecutive years for the first time since 1962-65.
