X Factor: Duke football vs. Virginia

Duke will hope to avoid a letdown Saturday at home against Virginia after a shocking win last week at Notre Dame. The Blue Devils’ offense was finally clicking in all phases, but the Cavaliers also have a strong passing game and notched their first win of the season last week against Central Michigan. Every week throughout the football season, the Blue Zone will break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest:

Duke: Safety Alonzo Saxton II

Saxton was forced into action against the Fighting Irish when starting safety and co-captain DeVon Edwards tore his ACL and MCL early in the first quarter, and he rose to the occasion with five tackles and a pass breakup. Saxton also forced a fumble in Duke’s loss to Wake Forest Sept. 10. The Columbus, Ohio, native will have to maintain his high level of play Saturday and for the rest of the season in Edwards’ absence, and the Blue Devils’ secondary will have its hands full against Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert, who has thrown for 279.8 yards per game this season.

Although Saxton is expected to get his first start of the season Saturday, he is no stranger to the playing field. The junior started eight games last year at cornerback while Bryon Fields was sidelined with a torn ACL, finishing the season with 38 tackles and one interception before transitioning back to the rover safety position in the offseason. Edwards' production—an All-ACC defensive back and All-American kick returner—will likely be impossible to replace, but Duke is fortunate to have a reserve ready to step in with as much experience as Saxton. The Columbus, Ohio, native may share time in the defensive backfield with redshirt freshman Jordan Hayes, who led the Blue Devils with seven tackles last week.

Virginia: Wide receiver Olamide Zaccheaus

A sophomore wideout, Zaccheaus is Virginia’s biggest deep threat against a Duke secondary that has been susceptible to explosive plays through the air during the last two years. Zaccheaus has started just two of the Cavaliers’ four games this year, but he leads the team with 298 receiving yards and three touchdowns. The Philadelphia native is just 5-foot-8, but he showcased his speed in the open field last week against Central Michigan when he broke free for an 82-yard touchdown catch.

Virginia torched the Blue Devils in the passing game in a 42-34 win last year, as quarterback Matt Johns threw for 344 yards and two touchdowns. Zaccheaus hurt Duke all over the field that afternoon, catching three passes for 89 yards and a touchdown, carrying the ball three times for 20 yards and even throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass on a trick play. Benkert—a graduate transfer from East Carolina—beat Johns out for the starting quarterback job entering this season and has already developed downfield chemistry with Zaccheaus, who could turn this game into a shootout for the second straight year with another strong performance.