Offense:
Pass: D+
In one of his worst performances as a Blue Devil, Sean Renfree went 17-for-35 for only 204 yards through the air—a paltry 5.8 yard average per completion. Renfree also never found the endzone, but threw three interceptions. Conner Vernon once again led the Duke receiving corps with four receptions for 88 yards, but was seemingly forgotten in the second half. Meanwhile, Anthony Boone struggled again in his change-of-pace role, going 2-for-5 through the air, including missing a wide-open receiver in the endzone on a third quarter redzone possession.
Rush: B-
Desmond Scott continued his impressive junior season with 10 carries for 72 yards, while Juwan Thompson added 25 yards on three carries of his own. Scott had the highlight play of the day with a 47 yard run. However, Boone struggled running the ball again, amassing just four yards on five carries.
X’s and O’s:
Make no mistake about it—Duke's inability to stuff the ball in from inside the 20 doomed their upset chances against the Hokies. Combine that with a 4-for-16 third down conversion rate, and the result is a measly 10 points.
Defense:
Pass: A-
The Blue Devil defensive line hounded Virginia Tech quarterback Logan Thomas all afternoon and held him to just 17-of-28 passing for 190 yards. Matt Daniels played one of the best games of his career in coverage with two highlight-reel interceptions and another that was taken away via instant replay.
Rush: B+
David Wilson may have accumulated 148 yards on the ground, but most of those came on a few big gains. For the most part the Blue Devils stuffed the top rusher in college football, and it was a stout run defense that kept the team in the game throughout the second half.
X’s and O’s:
This could have been the best game by a Duke defense in recent memory despite the loss—the Blue Devils limited the big plays through the air that had been their weakness and a plethora of second half three-and-outs gave the offense numerous chances to put points on the board.
Special teams: C-
Bad Will Snyderwine returned to Wallace Wade Saturday, as the senior missed three field goals and knocked a chip shot off the upright that would've brought Duke to within one point in the second half. Alex King had another solid day punting the ball, pinning the Hokies within the 20 yard line on all three of his punts.
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