Making the Grade: The N.C. State Wolfpack

Offense: A+ Rush: The Blue Devils’ rushing game was anemic, as the team totaled only 43 yards on 35 carries for a disappointing 1.2 yard average. Senior Thaddeus Lewis scored Duke’s lone rushing touchdown late in the first quarter, which was just one of his six touchdowns on the day. Though the running game was virtually nonexistent for the Blue Devils, Lewis’s stellar play and a potent aerial attack more than made up for the inability to run the ball against N.C. State. Pass: Lewis had his best day in a Blue Devil uniform and one of the most remarkable games in school history. The senior quarterback completed a school record 40 passes and tallied personal bests of 459 yards and five touchdowns. He also broke Duke’s school record for career touchdown passes. Sophomore Donovan Varner caught seven passes for a career-best 154 yards and freshman Conner Vernon had 86 yards on 10 catches, the most of his young career.

X's and O's: Duke snapped a 20-game ACC losing streak Saturday by beating N.C. State and its 49 points were the Blue Devils’ highest output in an ACC game since 1994. The Blue Devils scored touchdowns on their first three drives and posted 502 yards of offense, the first time this season that the team eclipsed the 500-yard barrier.

Defense: B+ Rush: Although the Blue Devils by no means shut down N.C. State’s strong rushing attack, the Wolfpack has averaged 136 yards on the ground per game this year—roughly their output Saturday. The defense allowed the Wolfpack to rush for 142 yards on 23 carries for an impressive 6.2 yards per carry average. N.C. State quarterback Russell Wilson and running back Toney Baker each rushed for touchdowns, but they were stopped on the ground in key fourth-quarter situations. Pass: The Blue Devils played well against the Wolfpack’s passing game, allowing Wilson to throw for only 172 yards on 15-of-27 passing and one touchdown. Duke’s defense pressured Wilson for the last 35 minutes of the game, sacking him four times.  The defensive backfield made some big plays down the stretch with Leon Wright and Lee Butler each grabbing interceptions on the Wolfpack’s final two possessions to surpress any sort of comeback effort. X's and O's: Duke did not allow N.C. State to score in the fourth quarter and the defense forced four turnovers, including two on special teams. Defensive back Butler was a standout in the secondary, managing a tackle for a loss, sack, pass deflection and the game-sealing interception with just seconds remaining.

Highest Marks: QB Thaddeus Lewis Head coach David Cutcliffe said it best after Lewis’ record-breaking performance Saturday: “I will probably upset a couple of my former quarterbacks, but I believe that is the finest game that I have had a quarterback have in college.” Hit the Books: Duke's Rush Offense After two solid rushing efforts against N.C. Central and Virginia Tech, the Blue Devils could not develop any sort of rhythm on the ground against N.C. State, even though Lewis and his receivers made up for the deficiency.