HALFTIME: Duke 27, Army 0

WEST POINT, N.Y.—Thanks to multiple Army fumbles, stellar field position and a relentless offense, Duke made the first half of Saturday's nonconference finale a lopsided affair.

The Blue Devils lead the Black Knights 27-0 at the half at Michie Stadium. Army—which relies on its triple-threat rushing attack—attempted just one pass, which went incomplete, as Thomas Sirk and the Duke offense have been able to move the ball thanks to the emergence of a new target.

After a Ross Martin field goal put Duke ahead 3-0 on the game’s opening drive, Army fumbled the ensuing kickoff, and after recovering, started the game in the shadow of its own goalpost. It was a sign of things to come.

Duke went three-and-out on its next drive, but after a Will Monday punt pinned Army on its four yard-line, things began to fall apart for the Black Knights. Quarterback A.J. Schurr took several consecutive rushing attempts, but left the field with an injury after taking a big hit on third down. Sophomore Ahmad Bradshaw replaced Schurr under center on fourth and one and the Army pitch play went awry, setting the Blue Devils up with a short field.

Sirk made the mistake hurt with an eight-yard yard touchdown pass to tight end Erich Schneider for a score to extend the lead to 10-0—Duke's first touchdown since the win against Georgia Tech Sept. 26. Army fumbled again, leading to another Blue Devil touchdown drive, as backup quarterback Parker Boehme scampered in from four yards out for his first career rushing touchdown. On the next Duke drive, a 43-yard touchdown run by redshirt junior Jela Duncan gave the Blue Devils a 24-0 lead, and Martin tacked on another field goal just before intermission to make it 27-0.

Here are some observations from the first half:

• Freshman T.J. Rahming—Duke's leader in receptions and receiving yards heading into the game—is not playing today due to a leg injury. The Powder Springs, Ga., native was not listed on Duke's injury report released Thursday.
• In Rahming's stead, redshirt junior wide receiver Anthony Nash has emerged as a favorite target of Sirk in the medium passing game for Duke. He has five catches for 57 yards and has been key for the Blue Devils on third downs so far.
• The field position battle is decidedly in Duke's favor—two drives have started deep in Army territory. By contrast, the Black Knights have yet to start a drive past their own 30 yard line.
• Redshirt freshman Tinashe Bere has led the Duke defense so far Saturday, racking up six total tackles, including a tone-setting one on Army's first play from scrimmage.
• On his only throw of the game, Bradshaw was hit by Duke’s Ben Humphreys and sent the ball flying. For the second consecutive week, the Blue Devil defense has held its opponent without a completion in the first half.
• Army's rushing attack entered Saturday averaging more than 200 yards per game on the ground. After 30 minutes, the Black Knights have just 44.
• The Blue Devils are 4-of-6 on third down conversions Saturday and have taken more shots downfield, completing six passes of nine yards or more.