Duke vs. Boston College: Gameday Open Thread
Duke opens its home season at noon, hosting the Boston College Eagles at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The stadium will be empty, however. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, only essential gameday operations and broadcast employees will be allowed in. It will be an unusual environment for both teams, but as Duke quarterback Chase Brice said, “We have to bring our own juice.”
For the second time in a three-week span, Duke will be facing an opponent with no game tape to scout. Last week’s game at Notre Dame was the season opener for both teams. B.C. didn’t play last week. Next week, Duke travels to Virginia, who has yet to play a game.
Boston College may be the toughest of the three to scout, since the Eagles have a new coaching staff, featuring former NFL and Ohio State defensive assistant Jeff Hafley. He also brought offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti from the NFL. Cignetti has rebuilt the traditional run-heavy B.C. offense into a passing attack, sparked by Notre Dame transfer quarterback Phil Jukovec.
The defense also features several graduate transfers, which should help the Eagles improve on that side of the ball, after struggling last season.
Duke will look to play four full quarters, after the Blue Devils players admit that they got tired late in last week’s opener against Notre Dame. Coach David Cutcliffe also expects the team to improve its timing on offense, after having less live scrimmage time than usual in the shortened preseason. Duke didn’t get as much as expected from its run game last week, and Brice is still awaiting his first touchdown pass with the Blue Devils.
Fashion report: Duke wearing white helmets with the black D logo, blue jerseys, white pants.
Duke sold cardboard cutouts to fans, much like MLB teams have done. It appears they've socially distanced the cutouts in the stands.
Weather is clear, but we open the game with four straight run plays. Three (and out) for Duke, then one for a first down for BC. First pass of the game gets BC another first.
Absolutely horrendous tackling by Duke on a long third-down pass play by BC that takes the Eagles into the red zone.
Fox Sports announcer says that Mark Gilbert missed the last "734 games" to injury, which would be more than 61 years. I think he might have meant "days". He also said this right after Chris Rumph made a play and was being shown on screen. So, midseason form.
Duke trying to make a goal line stand, and they'll do it without Derrick Tangelo, who got hurt on the first-down play.
And BC plunges in for the score. Very disappointing opening for Duke on offense and defense. Shades of last November.
Duke with another three-and-out. Nothing working early.
Mark Gilbert gets his first interception since Nov. 25, 2017 (against Wake Forest). Brice completes his first pass, and Duke picks up its first first down of the day. Momentum change.
Mataeo Durant runs 49 yards for a score. Charlie Ham misses the PAT. Duke down 7-6 early.
That was the longest run for a Duke RB since Deon Jackson ran for 75 against Miami on Nov. 3, 2018.
Duke marching toward the red zone when Chase Brice throws an interception over the middle. Another momentum change.
Duke offense again marches down the field, and again turns it over. Deon Jackson with a fumble inside the five.
Victor Dimukeje with a third-down sack to blow up a BC drive. That moves him past Vince Oghobaase into sixth on Duke's career sacks list.
Brice missing long on most of his deep attempts today.
That's the second time Brice has faked a bootleg to one direction, then turned and thrown a virtually no-look WR screen.
Brice long again on a deep pass.
Duke linemen with two 15 yard penalties on one drive, including a personal foul late hit that moved them back into their own territory.
Terrible kick-catch interference penalty on Duke, who has stopped BC cold on two punt returns so far. Gives BC good field position for a two-minute drive.
We head to the half with BC up 7-6. Duke with several missed opportunities in the half.
In interview with TV sideline reporter, David Cutcliffe said defense needs to tackle better, offense needs to avoid turnovers and 15-yard post-snap penalties.
More of the same to start the second half. Damond Philyaw-Johnson gets the ball stripped out of his hands deep in Duke territory. They're reviewing it, but it seems like a pretty clear fumble.
Duke defense steps up to hold BC to a field goal. BC now up 10-6.
Another wasted drive for Duke. After moving the ball downfield, back-to-back quarterback keepers can't gain a yard. Then Ham misses his second kick of the day.
Missed tackle adds 17 yards to a pass play. Missed tackle on a sack lets BC get the touchdown. It's now 16-6 late in the third quarter.
This will be a crushing defeat for Duke if the score holds up. Mistakes just keep short-circuiting drives. Everything Coach Cut mentioned at half has continued to plague the Blue Devils.
Duke's secondary with a huge blown play. 61-yard touchdown pass with no one within miles of the receiver. 23-6 BC.
That should just about do it. Duke takes the ball inside the five again to start the fourth. Brice gets sacked, stripped, BC gets the ball.
Defensive line can't complete a sack, and Waters is beaten deep again. BC drive passes six minutes, gets into red zone.
Duke moving the ball on offense. Brice overthrows a deep ball, intercepted. BC should be able to run out the clock and finish this one.
BC kneels it out to wrap up a 26-6 win. Crushing defeat for Duke who has the same problems as last year.
