Duke snapped a five-game losing streak to Clemson with today's 16-13 win. Clemson leads the all-time series vs. Duke, 32-16-1. The Blue Devils improved to 12-13 vs. the Tigers in Durham. Duke's last win over Clemson was a 28-23 triumph on Oct. 24, 1998 at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Duke improves to 2-8 (1-7 ACC) on the year and snaps a four-game losing streak overall and a six-game league losing skid.
Senior K Matt Brooks drilled three field goals in the game today, including a career-long 53-yarder as time expired to give Duke its first ACC victory of the 2004 season. His three field goals matched his career high set at Wake Forest on Oct. 30. He now has 12 field goals this season, tying him for ninth-place on Duke's single-season chart with Doug Peterson (1988), Scott McKinney (1981) and Vince Fusco (1976).
Duke leads the league in takeaways with 25 on the season. This afternoon, Duke had two fumble recoveries and two interceptions, including a pick and two fumble recoveries in the first half. Its only second-half takeaway came with 1:13 remaining in the game (an interception by Deonto McCormick).
Duke's defense allowed just 13 points vs. Clemson today, the fewest allowed by the Blue Devils against the Tigers since a 13-6 loss on Oct. 12, 1996.
Deonto McCormick made his first career start at CB this afternoon for the Blue Devils. He had played nine games, including two starts, at WR previously in 2004. McCormick's first career pick came with 1:13 remaining in the game and it set up Brooks' game-winning field goal. In 2002, McCormick saw action in nine games (two starts) at CB in 2002 (10 total tackles). He was not a member of the Duke team in 2003.
TE Ben Patrick caught three passes for 42 yards this afternoon, giving him at least one reception in all 10 games this season. He is the only Duke player to have at least one catch in every game this season.
Freshman WR Jomar Wright now has 17 receptions on the season, 12 of which have been for first downs. Today, three of Wright's four receptions went for first downs.
Duke continued its solid defensive play on game-opening drives. Through 10 games in 2004, Duke has allowed six total points (two field goals) on its opponents' game-opening drives.
Freshman S Chris Davis made his first career interception in the second quarter this afternoon.
Duke's kicking game was facing a Clemson team that had returned two kickoffs and one punt for a touchdown this season. Playing keep-away this afternoon, Duke limited Clemson to 25 return yards (20 on four kick returns and five on two punt returns). Clemson entered the game averaging 29.0 yards per kickoff return and 12.9 per punt return.
Freshman CB Daniel Charbonnet recoverd a Clemson fumble on a punt late in the second quarter this afternoon. It was Charbonnet's first fumble recovery of his career.
DE Eli Nichols recorded his third QB sack of the season.
Duke controlled the clock in the first half, holding the ball 17:38 to Clemson's 12:22. The Blue Devils ended the game having the ball for 36:31.
Duke finishes the 2004 season with a home game vs. North Carolina on Nov. 20 at Wallace Wade Stadium. Kickoff time has yet to be determined, but it will be either noon or 1:00 PM, depending on television.
