Hurricane Matthew turned four ACC games in the state of North Carolina Saturday into sloppy defensive battles. The Blue Zone takes a look at how the 12 ACC teams in action this weekend performed.
Duke 13, Army 6
Duke (3-3) avenged a loss to Virginia with a sloppy win in a “mud bowl” against Army (3-2). Hurricane Matthew got the best of both teams, as both offenses struggled to move the ball downfield. The two teams combined for only 93 passing yards and the Blue Devils could never recover after falling behind 13-0 in the first half. Duke quarterback Daniel Jones completed 7-of-15 passes and the Blue Devils rushed for over 140 yards as Duke held Army's triple-option rushing attack to just 165 yards on the ground to climb back to .500.
No. 23 Florida State 20, No. 10 Miami 19
Miami kicker Michael Badgley’s blocked extra-point attempt with 1:38 remaining proved to be the difference for the Seminoles (4-2, 1-2 ACC) in a one-point victory. Florida State dominated Miami (4-1, 1-1) on the offensive end, outgaining the Hurricanes 407-276 and rallying from an early 13-0 deficit. Junior running back Dalvin Cook rushed for 150 yards and had a 59-yard receiving touchdown, as Florida State picked up its first conference win of the season.
No. 25 Virginia Tech 34, No. 17 North Carolina 3
Virginia Tech (4-1, 2-0 ACC) held North Carolina (4-2, 2-1) to 131 total yards, as the Tar Heels were unable to find any offensive flow amid rain and wind from Hurricane Matthew. In a sloppy game that featured ten fumbles between the two teams, the Hokies were able to muster just enough offense to get the victory. Virginia Tech quarterback Jerod Evans accounted for three touchdowns and the Hokies rushed for more than 180 yards. T.J. Logan led the Tar Heels with 97 total yards, leading the team in rushing and receiving, but quarterback Mitch Trubisky was just 13-of-33 through the air with his first two interceptions of the year.
N.C. State 10, Notre Dame 3
Dexter Wright’s 16-yard blocked punt return in the fourth quarter was the lone touchdown in this game, as Notre Dame (2-4) saw its dismal season continue. Playing through Hurricane Matthew made for another messy offensive performance. The two teams combined to complete just 40 percent of their passes and throw for just 95 yards. Running back Matthew Dayes kept the offense moving for N.C. State (4-1) with 140 total yards in the victory.
No. 3 Clemson 56, Boston College 10
Third-ranked Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC) followed a big win against Louisville with a thrashing of Boston College (3-3, 0-3). Big plays were key for the Tigers, as they cashed in for four touchdowns of at least 25 yards. Clemson racked up 229 rushing yards and the Tiger defense did its job as well, holding Boston College to 96 passing yards and returning an interception for a touchdown in a lopsided victory in Chestnut Hill, Mass.
Pittsburgh 37, Georgia Tech 34
Georgia Tech (3-3, 1-3 ACC) erased a double-digit second-quarter deficit, but kicker Chris Blewitt’s 31-yard field goal went off the right upright and in as time expired to give Pittsburgh (4-2, 1-1) the victory. Both teams exceeded 200 rushing yards and had multiple touchdowns of at least 20 yards in the shootout. Scott Orndoff’s 74-yard touchdown catch for Pittsburgh tied the game at 34 with fewer than four minutes left in the fourth quarter, and the Panthers got a quick stop to set up their game-winning score.
Wake Forest 28, Syracuse 9
Wake Forest (5-1, 2-1 ACC) scored 21 unanswered points after falling behind 9-7 midway through the second quarter. Syracuse (2-4, 0-2) lost for the fourth time in five games, as the Orange failed to get its offense going in another game played through Hurricane Matthew. Demon Deacon quarterback John Wolford passed for 140 yards and added 94 yards and two touchdowns on the ground. Running back Cade Carney added 104 rushing yards and a touchdown for Wake Forest.
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Digital Strategy Director for Vol. 115, Michael was previously Sports Editor for Vol. 114 and Assistant Blue Zone Editor for Vol. 113. Michael is a senior majoring in Statistical Science and is interested in data analytics and using data to make insights.