Homecoming gives Blue Devils chance for 3rd win

For the first time since 1998, Duke enters homecoming with a win--not just one, but two.

Now the football team (2-3, 0-1 in the ACC) will try to climb back to .500 when it squares off against Virginia (3-2, 1-1) Saturday at noon in Wallace Wade Stadium.

Confidence is high for Virginia and Duke, both off major victories, as they prepare for the homecoming showdown. The game is expected to draw a large crowd as many Duke alumni return to see their alma mater, which is off to its best start in the Carl Franks era.

"There is a little bit of pressure but it feels nice to have their support," said fullback Alex Wade. "You see [former teammates] on the sidelines and if things get rough you can remember the days when they were out there fighting with you."

The Cavaliers come into Durham with a potent passing attack led by junior quarterback Matt Schaub, who has completed 71.5 percent of his passes and found the endzone 15 times. Ranked third nationally in passing efficiency, the 6-foot-5 junior threw for 312 yards and three touchdowns against Wake Forest and is the reigning ACC Offensive Back of the Week.

On the receiving end of Schaub's bombs is Billy McMullen, one of the best wideouts in the nation. McMullen caught two touchdowns against Duke in last year's match up and so far this season, despite facing near constant double teams, he has accumulated 345 receiving yards and two touchdowns.

"We will try not to give them a good pre-snap read and try to mix up the coverage," said starting cornerback Kenneth Stanford, who will be faced with the difficult task of defending McMullen.

The Virginia passing attack could pose serious problems for the Blue Devils, who are considerably better at stopping the run.