Duke had a bye in Week 8 along with five other ACC teams, but The Blue Zone breaks down the four conference matchups of the weekend in college football.
No. 7 Louisville 54, N.C. State 13
After struggling to get into an offensive rhythm against Duke last week, Louisville (6-1, 4-1 in the ACC) played more like the team that averaged 58 points per game through its first five contests. Cardinals’ quarterback Lamar Jackson threw for 355 yards and rushed for 76 yards in the victory and broke the school single-season record for touchdowns with four first-half scores to give him 34 through just seven games. Louisville dominated the first half, scoring on eight of its first nine drives to head into the locker room with a 44-0 lead.
Quarterback Ryan Finley led the charge for N.C. State (4-3, 1-2), passing for 236 yards and a pair of scores after the break. Perhaps the key to the victory for the Cardinals was their exceptional defensive pressure. Despite being known as an offensive powerhouse, Louisville shut down the Wolfpack running game, limiting them to fewer than 15 yards on the ground. The Cardinals' defense also forced three turnovers in the blowout victory at home.
No. 22 North Carolina 35, Virginia 14
Coming off an impressive road win at then-No. 16 Miami, No. 22 North Carolina (6-2, 4-1) cruised past Virginia (2-5, 1-2). Quarterback Mitch Trubisky's 40-yard touchdown pass to Bug Howard late in the first half was the first of three unanswered touchdowns for the Tar Heels, as they got out to a 28-7 lead through three quarters. Trubisky’s 310 yards and three touchdowns led an offensive charge that gained more than 480 yards Saturday. North Carolina running back Elijah Hood also added 107 rushing yards and a touchdown in the victory.
On the other side of the ball, the Cavaliers struggled to get anything going in the passing game. Virginia quarterback Kurt Benkert averaged less than four yards per attempt and was held to just 126 yards through the air. The Cavaliers' running game, led by Taquan Mizzell, managed to find success as they picked up 110 yards on the ground, but it would not be enough to defeat the Tar Heels, who outgained Virginia by 235 yards.
Virginia Tech 37, Miami 16
Virginia Tech (5-2, 3-1) got back in the win column after losing at Syracuse its last time out. Quarterback Jerod Evans’ second touchdown pass of the game, a 12-yard completion to Bucky Hodges, gave the Hokies a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter, and things would go from bad to worse for the Hurricanes. Miami (4-3, 1-3) lost its third straight contest after starting the season 4-0. Offense did not come easily for the Hurricanes, who had five punts, a field goal and an interception in their first seven possessions. Despite passing for 323 yards in the game, Miami struggled to control the line of scrimmage Saturday. Quarterback Brad Kaaya was sacked eight times and lost more than fifty yards on the ground in the game.
In addition to great defensive play, Virginia Tech thrived offensively. Evans gained more than 350 yards in the game, picking up 98 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Running back Travon McMillian added another 131 rushing yards, as the Hokies picked up more than 250 yards both through the air and on the ground in a solid all-around win.
Syracuse 28, Boston College 20
Searching for its first ACC win in its last 12 tries, Boston College (3-4, 0-4) fell short once again at home Saturday. Receiver Amba Etta-Tawo’s 68-yard touchdown catch put the Orange up by eight with just nine minutes left, as Syracuse (4-4, 2-2) held on for its second straight conference win. Quarterback Eric Dungey had a career game, passing for 434 yards and three touchdowns with an astonishing 84 percent completion percentage. Despite winning by just a single score, the Orange dominated the game, outgaining the Eagles 532-287. Boston College was able to score on a couple big plays—an 89-yard kickoff return by Myles Willis and a 75-yard run by quarterback Patrick Towles. Nonetheless, their inability to throw the ball plagued them, as two quarterbacks combined for just 64 passing yards.
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Digital Strategy Director for Vol. 115, Michael was previously Sports Editor for Vol. 114 and Assistant Blue Zone Editor for Vol. 113. Michael is a senior majoring in Statistical Science and is interested in data analytics and using data to make insights.