For the first time in head coach David Cutcliffe’s seven-year tenure, Duke won a game without scoring a touchdown.
Week five marked the beginning of October and the start of conference play all around the nation. This week brought its fair share of upsets and exciting finishes that changed the AP Poll
Duke did not find the end zone against the Eagles, but Ross Martin's three first-half field goals were enough for head coach David Cutcliffe's squad to survive as the Blue Devil defense got stops when it needed to down the stretch.
The Blue Devils were able to survive a tough challenge from Boston College with a 9-7 victory Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The Blue Devils weren’t perfect Saturday afternoon, but the defense held firm once again in crunch time to squeak out another win.
Three Ross Martin field goals have handed Duke a 9-0 lead through two quarters at Wallace Wade Stadium. Eagle quarterbacks have yet to complete a pass, as Troy Flutie and Jeff Smith are a combined 0-of-9.
Before every football game this year, The Blue Zone will sit down with a football writer from the opposing school’s student newspaper to get the scoop on their team and season.
The Blue Zone takes a look at a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest:
Following last weekend’s victory against previously-ranked Georgia Tech 34-20, Duke looks to close out a strong four-game homestand at Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday at 3:30 p.m. against Boston College.
For the first time this season, Jela Duncan does not appear on Duke's weekly injury report.
Although there are no ranked opponents remaining on the schedule, the season is not getting any easier for Duke. After notching a season-defining 34-20 win against then-No. 20 Georgia Tech last weekend, the Blue Devils will look to move to 2-0 in ACC play for the first time since 2012 against Boston College Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium.
After winning a combined six games in 2011 and 2012, Boston College has rebounded with consecutive 7-6 seasons and back-to-back postseason berths in the past two years. But the Eagles have set their sights on contending for the ACC Atlantic Division. A victory against Duke Saturday afternoon would be a major step in the right direction. With a young squad that has already suffered several injuries early in the season and has yet to play away from home, Boston College head coach Steve Addazio knows the road game will be a major test. “[Duke is] well-coached.
In many ways, it feels as if three entirely different Blue Devil teams have taken the field for the first four games. But amidst all the questions that remain, one thing is for certain—Duke’s defense is for real.
This week's issue of Sportswrap features senior running back Shaquille Powell, who rushed for 88 yards and three touchdowns—including the game-sealing 30-yard dash on fourth-and-one—in Duke's 34-20 win against then-No. 20 Georgia Tech Saturday.
The Blue Zone recaps how the 10 ACC teams in action performed this weekend.
