Extra point: Duke football vs. N.C. Central

Duke cruised to its first victory of the season, controlling the game from the opening kickoff in a 45-0 victory against N.C. Central at Wallace Wade Stadium in the Bull City Gridiron Classic. Superb efforts defensively and on the ground combined with a slew of solid first performances by newcomers led the Blue Devils to a blowout win.

Revisiting the three keys to the game:

• Run early, run often: Duke ran early, ran often and ran well against N.C. Central. The Blue Devils established the run game from the team's first drive and never looked back from there, racking up 257 yards and averaging 5.2 yards per carry on the game. Jela Duncan was the team's leading rusher, racking up 76 yards on 11 carries and adding a touchdown. Josh Snead, Shaquille Powell and Juwan Thompson all contributed as well, and Duke's quarterback combination of Anthony Boone and Brandon Connette looked comfortable running the zone-read.

• Stop the big play: Playing a nearly-flawless defensive contest, the Blue Devils did not allow a single play longer than 25 yards. N.C. Central quarterback Jordan Reid didn't have many chances, however, as the Duke pass rush prevented him from taking many shots down the field. All in all, this has to be the recipe for Duke's success.
• Empty the bench: Plenty of players had the opportunity to see the field for the Blue Devils in what was largely an uncompetitive contest. True freshman Ryan Smith reeled in the first reception of his career, catching a 39-yard pass from Boone in the second quarter. Freshman Johnell Barnes added a 21-yard reception later in the game. Cornerback Breon Borders snagged an interception and Bryon Fields registered the first tackle of his college career. Even walk-on quarterback Robert Collins had the chance to get some reps at the end of the game, which was a great opportunity for younger Blue Devils to get game experience.

Three key plays:

• Thompson takes a handoff up the middle for 10 yards on the first play or the game. This set the tone for Duke's excellent day on the ground and was one of a number of plays where the Blue Devils were able to move the sticks on first down.
• Junior wide receiver Jamison Crowder takes a punt 76 yards to the house at the end of the first quarter, giving Duke a 14-0 advantage after N.C. Central had kept the game close for most of the first period.

• On third-and-15 from from Duke's 13-yard line in the middle of the second quarter, Boone finds Smith for a 39-yard catch and a big first down. The Blue Devils would go on to score a touchdown on that drive, padding their advantage to 28-0.

And the Duke game ball goes to... the Blue Devil defense.

Duke hadn't shut a team out at home since 1978 before N.C. Central took the field at Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday afternoon. The defense dominated the line of scrimmage, put ample pressure on Eagles quarterback Jordan Reid and was able to force turnovers. There's no individual you can give this award to, but the unit as a whole couldn't have been much better.

And the N.C. Central game ball goes to... Tazmon Foster.

As the Blue Devils ran all over the Eagles defense, Foster was the only member of his unit who seemed to put up a fight. The linebacker finished the game with 13 tackles, including two for a loss, and also returned a fumble for a touchdown that was later overturned. Foster's play could be the lone bright spot of the day for N.C. Central.