Duke at Virginia: Gameday Open Thread
The 0-2 Blue Devils look for their first win of the season at a place where they fell 48-14 last season--UVA's Scott Stadium in Charlottesville.
The Cavaliers are playing their first game of the year--the third straight Duke opponent who will be opening its season, making it difficult for the team to scout.
David Cutcliffe said his players were getting "irritated" by the situation, which he said is probably unprecedented in the history of college football and came about thanks to a cancellation of Virginia's scheduled opener due to a COVID outbreak at Virginia Tech, UVA's opponent.
Duke quarterback Chase Brice is still hunting his first Blue Devils touchdown pass, after moving the offense well but seeing drives fall short of the end zone in losses to Notre Dame and Boston College.
The Blue Devils will also have to avoid turnovers, after losing possession five times in the home loss to BC
Duke's defense will be playing without either starting cornerback. Expected to be a strength this year with depth and experience, the Blue Devils saw both starters go down to injury and have surgery this week. Mark Gilbert, who just got back onto the field after two years battling a hip injury, is out, as is Josh Blackwell, who also returned punts for Duke.
The stadium allowed in an extremely small number of fans, including a few dozen Blue Devil player family members.
Duke is wearing white jerseys and shoes, blue pants and helmets, with the helmet logo of a black Duke D.
Duke opens the game with great field position following a UVA fumble, but again settles for three instead of seven after losing six on a third-and-goal run from the one. 3-0 Duke early.
Duke forces a UVA punt. Despite Jake Bobo being listed first on the depth chart, Jalon Calhoun is back to receive. Slight bobble but no damage.
Chris Rumph slow to get up after Duke stops UVA short on third down. Seems to be moving okay on the sideline, however.
Looked like Brice was expecting a running back where there was none. He kept it, got tackled for a loss and very nearly lost a fumble. UVA thought he did.
Brice getting pounded as he throws every time he tries a play action. Line can't hold up for long enough for him to play fake and then throw.
There's Brice's first touchdown pass as a Blue Devil. Hits Jake Marwede over the middle wide open and he rumbles 55 yards for the score.
First quarter ends, and Duke has a 10-0 lead, it's first double-digit lead over UVA since 2013.
UVA responds with an easy-button looking drive. Marches down the field, running and completing long passes at will. 10-7 Duke with 12:33 to go until half.
Brice sacked and responds with another pass that's way over the receiver's head. It's been a problem all year that seems to get worse when he feels pass rush pressure.
UVA opens its drive with a nine-yard run up the middle, it's fourth play in the last eight to go for at least that long.
Duke picks up a personal foul penalty, which has become a habit for the Blue Devils ... they seem to get at least one a week.
UVA just gashing Duke up the middle right now. It's first and goal and Duke is in danger of losing its lead.
And it does. UVA plunges it in, goes up 14-10 with 8:55 to go until half and something needs to change fast for the Blue Devils. Nothing working anywhere right now.
Career-long 34 yard reception by Damond Philyaw-Johnson gets Duke into UVA territory. Brice then pressured twice and overthrows both badly. Third and 10. A sack brings up fourth and 13 from the 31. Cut leaves the offense on the field, Brice flushed from the pocket and overthrows a receiver badly. UVA ball.
It may be time to see what Gunnar Holmberg can do.
Meanwhile, on defense. Long pass to a tight end over the middle, run up the middle both for first downs. UVA already to the Duke 25. This could get ugly
A time out by Duke seems to let the defense catch its breath. Holds UVA to a field goal. It's now 17-10 Hoos with 1:50 to go until half.
Brice with an interception over the middle. UVA takes over at Duke's 44 with 1:33 to go in the half.
Cutcliffe said Brice got the job in large part due to ball security. That's six Duke turnovers in the last three halves, including three interceptions and one fumble for Brice.
Leonard Johnson, back in the starting lineup, with a leaping interception on the sideline. Duke gets the ball back with 1:17 to go on its 16.
And, after a deflection and a sack, Duke lets the time run out on the half. It's 17-10 UVA at the break.
Halftime stats tell the story so far. Duke has rushed it 20 times for 24 yards. UVA 21 for 129. Virginia has three sacks and six tackles for loss. Brice is 8-of-20 with a TD and an INT.
If you're hoping for halftime adjustments ... Duke has been outscored 23-7 in third quarters this year and 36-7 in second halves.
Brice finds Calhoun over the middle on third down for a long gain. Then hits Bobo for another first. Duke inside the UVA 30
Brice pressured, throws off balance, off the wrong foot, over the head of the receiver, nearly picked off. Suddenly it's third down.
Third and seven pass is batted down. Charlie Ham's 47 yard field goal attempt is good. 17-13 UVA with 12:40 to go in the third.
Freshman wide receiver Jontavis Robertson just went into the Duke injury tent. Seemed to be walking gingerly.
He comes back out, still in possession of his helmet. Talking to the coaches now. The trainers are not.
Brice with another long pass over the middle on third down to keep the Blue Devils marching. This one for 31 to Harding Jr.
Brice throws deep into double coverage and UVA outfights Eli Pancol for it. Second interception of the game for Brice.
Duke jumps offside on third down. Not enough for a first, but it gives UVA a second chance at it.
Rocky Shelton intercepts the second chance. Not sure who that was intended for. It went right to him. Duke is in business at the UVA 10.
Brice to a leaping Noah Gray over the middle for a touchdown. Duke back up , 20-17.
Exactly what the Blue Devils needed to do there. Take advantage of field position with 7, not 3.
Brice doesn't connect with Pancol on the pass over the middle that has done well all day, but UVA gets flagged for interference. Duke is on UVA side of the field.
Deon Jackson gets loose for 24. Duke to the 22.
Jalon Calhoun bobbles the ball on a trick play and ends up throwing an interception. Duke once again shoots itself in the foot.
UVA takes aim at Duke's secondary, completing passes for 15, 39 and 18 on the drive, the last one for the go-ahead touchdown. It's 24-20 Cavaliers with 12:43 to play.
Chase Brice throws a third down interception, his third of the game. Virginia cashes in, gashing Duke's secondary for a score. 31-20 with 9:59 left.
And Brice throws deep on third down on the next possession. Picked off. One more interception and I think he gets a free sub
Meanwhile, on the UVA sideline...
Gunnar Holmberg gets in for Duke ... and fumbles. UVA recovers and scores on the next play. It's 38-20.
Chris Katrenick now in for Duke.
And after one last Duke turnover on a punt return, UVA kneels out a 38-20 win.
