Defense Powers Duke to Victory over Florida State

Game Recap: Football | 10/18/2024 11:16:00 PM

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke amassed 11 tackles for loss with six sacks and forced four turnovers that resulted in 17 points as the Blue Devils defeated Florida State, 23-16, on Friday night at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Junior defensive back Chandler Rivers started Duke’s turnover trend with a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown to provide the Blue Devils with a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter.

Florida State committed turnovers on each of its next two offensive snaps – a fumble forced by graduate linebacker Ozzie Nicholas and recovered by graduate defensive end Ryan Smith that resulted in a 2-yard touchdown run by graduate running back Star Thomas, followed by an interception by Nicholas that set up a 27-yard field goal by junior kicker Todd Pelino.

Duke held a 17-3 advantage courtesy of the Blue Devils’ three consecutive takeaways.

Late in the fourth quarter with Duke holding on to a seven-point lead, Florida State advanced to the 31-yard line before the Blue Devils’ fourth forced turnover – a fumble forced by graduate nose tackle Christian Rorie and recovered by freshman tackle Preston Watson.

Nicholas and senior linebacker Cameron Bergeron topped Duke’s defensive effort with nine takedowns apiece, while graduate linebacker Alex Howard recorded a pair of sacks and sophomore defensive end Wesley Williams contributed 2.5 stops for a loss with 1.5 sacks.

Thomas finished the evening with 88 ground yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, while Pelino converted all three field goal attempts and both extra-points kicks to account for 11 points.

Duke improves to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in ACC play, while Florida State falls to 1-6 overall and 1-5 in the conference.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Florida State got on the board first, courtesy of a short field goal, just over four minutes into the contest.
• A blocked field goal by Wesley Williams, at the 4:08 mark, kept the score at 3-0. Duke’s defense then ratcheted up the pressure, starting with a pick-6 by Chandler Rivers, giving Duke the 7-3 lead. The Blue Devils defense immediately followed up with another takeaway, as Ozzie Nicholas forced a fumble on first play of the ensuing Florida State drive.
• Duke’s ground game logged the next score, as Star Thomas punched it in on the ground from two yards out on fourth down, giving Duke a 14-3 lead with 11:43 on the clock in the second quarter.
• A third straight Florida State play ending in a turnover came via an interception by Ozzie Nicholas – his second career pick. Duke turned the takeaway into points, as Todd Pelino knocked through a field goal from 27 yards out, giving the Blue Devils a 17-3 advantage.
• The Seminoles converted their second field goal of the half, this time from 53 yards, to trim Duke’s lead to 11, 17-6, with 1:46 on the clock before halftime. The visitors returned the second half kickoff for a touchdown, drawing within four, 17-13. Duke responded with a 10-play drive capped by a 44-yard field goal by Pelino.
• Another Florida State field goal, from 38 yards away, brought the Seminoles back within four, 20-16, with under 12 minutes left in the contest.
• A long run by Thomas brought the Blue Devils to the edge of the red zone, where Pelino converted his third field goal of the contest, from 39 yards, pushing Duke back in front by a touchdown, 23-16.
• Florida State moved the ball to Duke’s 33-yard line, threatening to tie the game, but the Blue Devils forced their fourth turnover of the night, this time on a fumble forced by Christian Rorie and recovered by Preston Watson with 5:18 on the fourth-quarter clock.
• The Seminoles regained possession with 2:43 left in the fourth quarter at their own 41-yard line, still trailing by seven points. After advancing to the Duke 38-yard line, the Blue Devils collected their sixth sack to force Florida State into second-and-19. Duke’s 11th tackle for loss on fourth down wrapped up the Blue Devils sixth victory of the season.

UP NEXT

• Duke hosts No. 21/23 SMU next Saturday, October 26. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. on ACC Network.

For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching “https://goduke.com/news/2024/10/18/DukeFOOTBALL”.

 

Duke Centennial

In 2024, Duke celebrates its Centennial, marking one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University. Duke will use this historic milestone to deepen the understanding of its history, inspire pride and strengthen bonds and partnerships, and prepare for a second century of continued excellence and impactful leadership. To learn more, please visit 100.duke.edu.

 

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