Despite falling to Virginia Tech 17-16 last week, No. 25 Duke still controls its own destiny to recapture the ACC Coastal Division title and set up a rematch against undefeated Florida State Dec. 6. With a short week to prepare, the Blue Devils will have to shake off the loss as they ready themselves for a primetime matchup against Tobacco Road rival North Carolina Thursday at Wallace Wade Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Every week throughout the football season, we’ll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.
Duke: quarterback Anthony Boone
In both of the Blue Devils’ losses this season, the Weddington, N.C., native has been horrific managing the ball. Against Miami Sept. 27, Boone completed a measly 43.1 percent of his passes—just 22 out of 51—and threw two interceptions with zero touchdowns. Last week against a struggling and injury-prone Virginia Tech defense, the redshirt senior completed 18 of his 40 passes for 181 yards, and again threw two interceptions and zero touchdowns.
With the Duke rushing attack struggling to produce more than 150 yards in back-to-back games—including a 98-yard performance in a win against Syracuse—and reliable kicker Ross Martin missing his first two field goals of the season against Virginia Tech, Boone needed to get his team into the end zone in the second half. Despite his impressive record as a starting quarterback, he was unable to get it done, but will need to in his final game against the Tar Heels.
Although North Carolina has the potential to put up points quickly—the team averages 35.9 points per game—the redshirt senior captain should be able to find wide receivers Jamison Crowder and Issac Blakeney to exploit a Tar Heel defense that allows 41.2 points per game. If Duke wants to have a chance against rival North Carolina at home Thursday, Boone will have to do just that to keep the Blue Devils’ ACC Championship hopes alive and maintain control of the coveted Victory Bell.
North Carolina: quarterback Marquise Williams
The success of the Tar Heels at Wallace Wade Stadium Thursday night resides with the dual-threat ability of its junior quarterback. Despite North Carolina's putrid defense this season—that has allowed 40 or more points five times—in the games that Williams has produced, the team has followed suit with a win.
Although the defense allowed 523 yards against Pittsburgh last week, the Charlotte, N.C., native threw for 276 yards and a touchdown and added 122 yards and three touchdowns on the ground to wrap up the victory for North Carolina. When he fails to move the ball effectively, however—he threw an interception and rushed for just four yards on 14 carries in a 47-20 loss to Miami—the Tar Heel offense cannot overcome the defense's mistakes.
Williams’ connection with sophomore wide receiver Mack Hollins—who has 32 receptions for 605 yards and seven touchdowns—has kept opposing secondaries on their heels so far this season. North Carolina's passing game, which also features wide receivers Ryan Switzer and Quinshad Davis, keeps safeties out of the box so the dual-threat gunslinger can also make plays with his feet. So far this season, Williams is averaging 4.5 yards on 141 carries with 10 touchdowns.
If the Tar Heel passing game can stretch safeties Jeremy Cash, DeVon Edwards and Deondre Singleton across the field and away from the backfield, then the ability of Duke's front seven to contain Williams could determine the outcome.
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