Duke needs win against cellar-dwellar N.C. State

Just as Duke's season seemed to be finally coming together, it took yet another hit.

Now the Blue Devils must find a way to pick up the pieces once more.

In a seemingly innocuous two-game span, No. 24 Duke (10-6-1, 3-3-1 in the ACC) lost senior co-captain Michael Videira and fell to Alabama A&M in the last home match of the year. The Blue Devils are looking to recover against N.C. State (6-7-3, 1-5-1) Saturday at 2 p.m. in Method Road Stadium.

The Wolfpack is last in the conference standings, but Duke will be sure not to overlook it. After losing to Alabama A&M Sunday, the Blue Devils know anything can happen, even against an unranked opponent. Duke's contest against the Bulldogs was marred by blown chances and failed comeback attempts-and even the pulling of senior goalkeeper Justin Papadakis in the final home game of his career.

The Blue Devils are looking to reverse those trends against the Wolfpack, but it will not be easy. Videira is still sidelined with a quadriceps injury, an ailment that could keep him out for several weeks. Duke has dealt with several injuries this season-including those to Zack Pope, Spencer Wadsworth and co-captain Tim Jepson-and was finally getting healthy before Videira went down against Davidson. But now the Blue Devils are without another co-captain and must make up for both the missing production and leadership that Videira provides.

Adding to the Blue Devils' struggles is the fact that N.C. State is 6-2-2 at home this year. The Wolfpack beat Clemson Oct. 21 and tied then-No. 3 Virginia Sept. 22 in Raleigh and will look to pull off a similar upset of Triangle rival Duke.

A win would guarantee the Blue Devils of at least a fourth place finish in the conference. More importantly, it would get Duke back on track heading into the ACC tournament, which starts Nov. 13 in Cary, N.C. The Blue Devils would love nothing more than to regain their grip on the season and gather some steam heading into postseason play-momentum that they will need if they are going to send their 13 seniors and head coach John Rennie out on a high note.