DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA - NOVEMBER 23: Eli Pancol #4 of the Duke Blue Devils breaks away from Jaylen Jones #15 of the Virginia Tech Hokies for a touchdown during the first half of the game at Wallace Wade Stadium on November 23, 2024 in Durham, North Carolina. | Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images
And moves to 8-3 with the win
Nothing in Duke’s win over Virginia Tech was exactly what you might have expected, starting with the opening play, a long pass from Maalik Murphy to Eli Pancol for a quick touchdown. Then the two hooked up again on the next possession for another touchdown and a 14-0 lead.
Virginia Tech showed some heart though and stayed close, down just 21-17 at the half.
It was that kind of a night.
Duke took a 28-17 lead shortly after halftime on a 74 yard drive and a Star Thomas run for a touchdown.
Todd Pelino got a 42-yard field goal after an interception and Duke moved up 31-17 with 3:24 left in the third quarter. That would be all the scoring for Duke, and fortunately, it was enough - if barely.
Virginia Tech got a 38-yard field goal with 13:22 left in the fourth and Bhayshul Tuten tacked on another TD with 9:19 left to play. QB William Watson got the two point conversion to cut the lead to three at 31-28.
The end of the game got wild.
Duke put together a nice late drive and got to Virginia Tech’s 16...only to see Star Thomas lose 16 yards and then fumble on the 32 yard line. We weren't panicked because Duke’s defense is really good, but it was getting nervy.
And indeed, Duke’s D did hold, but on 4th down, Tre Freeman got called for unsportsmanlike conduct, and it was to the 50 and first down for the Hokies. All they needed was a field goal to tie, but Duke’s D held again.
Virginia Tech punted and Duke got minimal movement and punted again themselves...but with :05 left on the clock.
It wasn’t easy but the Blue Devils held on for the 31-28 win.
With the victory, Duke moves to 8-3 on the season. The Blue Devils close out the season next Saturday at Wake Forest. If they can pull that one off, Duke has a chance, with a bowl win, to put a 10-win season in the book.
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