Extra point: Second-half surge helps Duke to final regular-season victory

Duke football clinched a last-second, 23-17 victory against Wake Forest to finish out the regular season 9-3. The Blue Zone breaks down the win against the Demon Deacons with three key takeaways, stats and a look ahead:

Three key takeaways

1. The game-winner

On first down, just inside Wake Forest territory, Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy hit tight end Jake Taylor for a quick six yards. Taylor got out of bounds, and the Blue Devils found themselves with one timeout and eight seconds left in the game, tied up at 17-17. Only nine yards outside of Duke’s target field goal range, the Wake Forest defenders lined up ready to prevent the kick from being any easier. The Demon Deacons seemingly did not take into consideration the possibility of a deep shot. However, as the ball was snapped, it quickly became apparent that the offense was not simply trying to gain a few yards. Wide receiver Jordan Moore popped open down the sideline, and Murphy hit him perfectly in stride. As the clock struck zero, Moore spun his way into the endzone, putting the Blue Devils on top. The away sideline exploded with enthusiasm, basking in the joy of what will likely go down as one of the season’s most memorable moments.

2. Second-half surge

Down 17-3 late in the third quarter, Duke needed a serious turnaround to win the game. A quick drive saw running back Star Thomas find the endzone, putting the Blue Devils back into the game. On the ensuing kickoff, special teams came up with the break Duke needed. A fumble recovered by Vontae Floyd put the offense in great starting field position on the Wake Forest 45-yard line. From there, the Blue Devils continued to find a rhythm, getting down to the 2-yard line, where Murphy surprised everyone by pulling the ball and running into the endzone untouched to level the game at 17 points. The Duke defense held strong on back-to-back possessions before the Blue Devils got the ball with 1:22 left in the game. The offense worked its way into Demon Deacon territory and won the game on the deep shot to Moore.

3. No early offense

While this was certainly an impressive victory for Duke, the biggest issue for the Blue Devils continues to be a lack of offensive cohesion early in the game. Duke entered halftime with only three points and four first downs. Additionally, Murphy threw an interception on a seemingly routine look, trying to hit Moore over the middle. To avoid finding themselves in a hole in their upcoming bowl game, the Blue Devils must find an offensive rhythm earlier in games.

The Blue Devil defense looked its usual self attacking the ball against the Demon Deacons, forcing three fumbles and holding Wake Forest to only 17 points on the day. Although Duke forced three fumbles, it only managed to recover one, an area that head coach Manny Diaz will likely hope to improve on before the bowl game. Still, forcing three fumbles is no easy task, and it is a testament to the immense strength and capability the defense has shown throughout the course of the regular season.

3. 5 sacks

The Blue Devils got into the backfield at an incredible rate against the Demon Deacons, coming away with five sacks. Rattling the quarterback and punishing the slow mesh was a large part of Duke’s ability to make a comeback late in the game, with the defense holding strong and complimenting the offense. An additional 11 tackles for loss highlighted the damage the Blue Devils caused in the Wake Forest backfield, as they have done to opponents all season.

Looking ahead

Duke comes off this exciting win with a long break before its final action of the season. Bowl games are set to be finalized by Dec. 8, with the game taking place later in December or early in January. Having won three straight games, the Blue Devils will look to end their season on the ultimate high note, capping off Diaz’s first year in Durham with a bowl-game win.