Blue Devils Earn First Win Over Florida State

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke amassed 11 tackles for loss with six sacks and forced four turnovers that resulted in 17 points as the Blue Devils defeated Florida State, 23-16, on Friday night at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Junior defensive back Chandler Rivers started Duke’s turnover trend with a 36-yard interception return for a touchdown to provide the Blue Devils with a 7-3 lead late in the first quarter.

Florida State committed turnovers on each of its next two offensive snaps – a fumble forced by graduate linebacker Ozzie Nicholas and recovered by graduate defensive end Ryan Smith that resulted in a 2-yard touchdown run by graduate running back Star Thomas, followed by an interception by Nicholas that set up a 27-yard field goal by junior kicker Todd Pelino.

Duke then held a 17-3 advantage courtesy of the Blue Devils’ three consecutive takeaways.

Late in the fourth quarter with Duke holding on to a seven-point lead, Florida State advanced to the 31-yard line before the Blue Devils’ fourth forced turnover – a fumble created by graduate nose tackle Christian Rorie and recovered by freshman tackle Preston Watson.

Nicholas and senior linebacker Cameron Bergeron topped Duke’s defensive effort with nine takedowns apiece, while graduate linebacker Alex Howard recorded a pair of sacks and sophomore defensive end Wesley Williams contributed 2.5 stops for a loss with 1.5 sacks.

Thomas finished the evening with 88 ground yards, averaging 4.2 yards per carry, while Pelino converted all three field goal attempts and both extra-points kicks to account for 11 points.

Duke improves to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in ACC play, while Florida State falls to 1-6 overall and 1-5 in the conference.