Duke’s defense dominated Friday night, propelling the Blue Devils to an historic 23-16 victory over Florida State at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The win was Duke’s first-ever against the Seminoles, ending a historic 0-22 drought, and secured bowl eligibility in head coach Manny Diaz’s first season.
Duke’s defense set the tone, recording six sacks, 11 tackles-for-loss, and forcing four turnovers. The first of three takeaways in the first half came on a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown by Chandler Rivers, giving Duke a lead it never relinquished.
Florida State (1-6, 1-5 ACC) fought back, cutting Duke’s lead to 20-16 with 11:35 left in the fourth quarter, but Todd Pelino’s third field goal of the game pushed the lead back to seven. The Seminoles drove deep into Duke territory twice in the final quarter, but Duke’s defense stood tall, forcing a key fumble and clinching the win with its 11th tackle-for-loss on the night.
The Blue Devils (6-1, 2-1 ACC) became the second team from North Carolina to reach six wins this season, joining Division II Johnson C. Smith (6-0). The Devils have solidified their standing as the top FBS program in the Old North State at this point. UNC, NC State, Wake Forest and Appalachian State have records below .500, while Charlotte and ECU sit at 3-3 entering the weekend.
Defense was Duke’s calling card the past two seasons under coach Mike Elko. But the Blue Devils’ stopping unit hasn’t skipped many beats under Diaz’s command.
Florida State, meanwhile has been in a free-fall since running the tables in the regular season last year only to be snubbed by the College Football Playoff selection committee.
Top Duke Players:
- Chandler Rivers: 36-yard interception return for a touchdown
- Ozzie Nicholas: 9 tackles, forced fumble, interception
- Cameron Bergeron: 9 tackles
- Alex Howard: 2 sacks
- Wesley Williams: 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.5 sacks
- Star Thomas: 88 rushing yards, 1 TD
- Todd Pelino: 3-for-3 on field goals (44, 27, 39 yards)
Scoring Summary:
| Qtr | Time | Scoring Play | FSU | DU |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 10:20 | FSU – Ryan Fitzgerald 23 yd field goal | 3 | 0 |
| 1st | 01:38 | DU – Chandler Rivers 36 yd INT return (Pelino kick) | 3 | 7 |
| 2nd | 11:43 | DU – Star Thomas 2 yd run (Pelino kick) | 3 | 14 |
| 2nd | 10:00 | DU – Todd Pelino 27 yd field goal | 3 | 17 |
| 2nd | 01:46 | FSU – Ryan Fitzgerald 53 yd field goal | 6 | 17 |
| 3rd | 14:49 | FSU – Samuel Singleton Jr. 95 yd kickoff return (kick) | 13 | 17 |
| 3rd | 09:32 | DU – Todd Pelino 44 yd field goal | 13 | 20 |
| 4th | 11:35 | FSU – Ryan Fitzgerald 38 yd field goal | 16 | 20 |
| 4th | 08:58 | DU – Todd Pelino 39 yd field goal | 16 | 23 |
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