The Blue Devils are one win away from going to the ACC Championship Game after registering a 28-21 against Wake Forest Saturday at BB&T Stadium at Winston-Salem, N.C. Anthony Boone threw for three touchdowns and improved to 9-0 as the Duke starting quarterback, while the defense held the Demon Deacons to just 248 yards of total offense.
Offense: A-
Pass: Anthony Boone had an outstanding day under center, completing 24-of-29 passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns. Boone averaged 8.8 yards per throw, which helped lengthen Duke drives. Wide receiver Jamison Crowder, who had been quiet in the team’s previous two games against North Carolina State and Miami, had a huge day, catching 10 passes for 121 yards and two touchdowns. His two touchdown receptions came at times when the Blue Devils were trailing and helped keep Duke in the game.
Rush: After rushing for 358 yards last week against the Hurricanes, the Blue Devil ground game was somewhat disappointing, only racking up 121 yards. Boone ended up being Duke’s leading rusher, with 57 yards on seven carries. Wildcat quarterback Brandon Connette scored on a three-yard run with 3:21 to play in the third quarter to give the Blue Devils their first lead of the game. Despite not putting up impressive numbers, the Duke rushing attack undoubtably affected the play-calling of the Wake Forest defense, opening up gaps in the secondary that allowed Boone to have a big day.
X’s and O’s: After throwing seven interceptions in Oct. 26 and Nov.9 games against Virginia Tech and North Carolina State, Anthony Boone has not turned the ball over the last two games. Offensive coordinator Kurt Roper seems to have newfound confidence in Boone, allowing the Blue Devils’ to use the entire playbook and take shots downfield. Boone’s ability to pass the ball bailed out his team on a day when the ground game did not pan out.
Defense: A
Pass: The Duke defensive unit did an excellent job defending the pass, holding Demon Deacon senior quarterback Tanner Price to just 12 completions and 124 yards. Last season, Price threw for 230 yards and two touchdowns against the Duke defense. Wake Forest’s lone passing touchdown came early in the second quarter, when Price found tight end Spencer Bishop for a six-yard touchdown. All-ACC defensive back Ross Cockrell put the icing on the cake for the Blue Devils when he intercepted Price’s pass with 2:30 left to play in the game, allowing Boone and the offense to run out the clock.
Rush: The Demon Deacons came into the game with the 117th ranked rush offense in the nation but showed flashes willingness and ability to run the ball against Duke. Even though Price rushed for a touchdown and Wake Forest gained 124 yards on the ground, the Blue Devils plugged up the holes up front and prevented explosive running plays.
X’s and O’s: Did this team really give up 598 yards against Pittsburgh earlier in the season? Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has his squad playing well at the right time, as the Blue Devils only allowed the Wake Forest offense to score 14 points and gain a total of 248 yards. Knowles continues to play three true freshmen in his secondary along with Cockrell, and they are steadily improving with every game. Knowles also dialed up a number of blitzes that allowed the defensive line to pressure Price and sacked him four times. The defense has only given up 34 points in the fourth quarter all season and that is a major reason why this team has won seven straight games and is eying a trip to the ACC Championship game.
Special Teams: A-
After giving up a punt return in its last two games, the Duke special teams unit did not allow Wake Forest to run one back. Punter Will Monday delivered good punts with high hang time, including a 66-yard punt. He placed two of his punts inside the 20-yard line. The only reason special teams did not earn an A+ is because kicker Ross Martin sent a 48-yard field goal sailing wide right in the fourth quarter.
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