The N.C. State football team fell to in-state rival Duke by a final score of 38-20 Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium. This marks the Wolfpack’s fifth straight loss.
Redshirt-graduate quarterback Brandon Mitchell and junior quarterback Pete Thomas received nearly the same amount of playing time for State, with head coach Dave Doeren deciding to rotate quarterbacks throughout the contest.
Following a punt by the Pack (3-6, 0-6 ACC) on the opening drive, Duke (7-2, 3-2 ACC) marched 90 yards down the field in only five plays, including a 75-yard pass from junior quarterback Anthony Boone to junior wide receiver Jamison Crowder. A four-yard scoring run by Boone capped off the drive and put the Devils up 7-0.
On its second possession of the second quarter, Duke was granted excellent field position deep in State territory following a failed fourth-down attempt by State. But the Pack’s defense held strong, limiting the Devils to a 36-yard field goal.
State responded to Duke’s score by driving 51 yards to the Devils’ 24-yard line. Junior kicker Niklas Sade attempted a 41-yard field goal, but the attempt bounced off of the left upright.
Late in the second quarter, Boone threw his second interception of the night to sophomore safety Hakim Jones. However, the Pack was forced into a three-and-out on the following drive, effectively ending the half.
State opened the third quarter by driving all the way to the Devils’ four-yard line, highlighted by Thomas’ first completion of the day, a 44-yard pass to freshman running back Matt Dayes. However, Duke’s defense forced the Pack to kick a 29-yard field goal.
State’s defense forced the Devils’ offense into a three-and-out on the following drive. Sophomore punter Will Monday kicked to senior wide receiver Rashard Smith, who returned the punt 73 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 10-10 with 7:17 remaining in the third quarter.
On the very next play from scrimmage, Boone threw his third and final interception of the game to State’s senior linebacker D.J. Green. The Pack started its drive on the Duke 15-yard line, but again only ended up with three points after a 24-yard field goal by Sade. Sade’s kick gave the Pack a 13-10 lead, the Pack’s first of the game.
State’s lead didn’t last long, as redshirt freshman safety DeVon Edwards returned the ensuing kickoff 100 yards to hand the Devils a 17-13 advantage.
Midway through the fourth quarter, Mitchell threw a deep bomb to senior wide receiver Quintin Payton, whose 80-yard touchdown catch gave the Pack a three-point lead.
Duke responded with a touchdown on its very next possession. The Devils drove 79 yards in just over three minutes to reclaim the lead for good with 3:31 left on the clock.
With Duke leading 24-20, Mitchell and Thomas combined for three interceptions in the last three minutes, two of which were returned for touchdowns by Edwards, to seal the win for the Devils.
