Duke Downed By Depleted Virginia Tech Team

DURHAM, N.C. – Despite a late fourth-quarter rally, Duke couldn’t fully overcome a 10-point deficit, dropping a 38-31 decision to Virginia Tech on Saturday evening at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Virginia Tech was missing 21 total players and coaches for the game due to COVID-19 related issues.

Redshirt junior quarterback Chase Brice finished 22-of-39 for 271 yards and one touchdown with an interception. Virginia Tech’s Braxton Burmeister completed 9-of-24 pass attempts for 163 yards while also recording a touchdown and a pick.

The Blue Devils (0-4, 0-4 ACC) struck first when freshman Jaylen Stinson recovered a fumbled punt return in the endzone for the early 7-0 advantage. Unfortunately, the Hokies (2-0, 2-0 ACC) scored 10 unanswered points to take a 10-7 lead into halftime.

Virginia Tech extended its lead in the third quarter to 24-14, but Duke responded early in the fourth to cut the deficit down to 24-21. On the score, Brice found tight end Noah Gray in the end zone for the senior’s second receiving touchdown of the year. Virginia Tech and Duke then traded rushing scores as both senior running back Deon Jackson and Virginia Tech’s Khalil Herbert found the endzone for a second occasion.

With the Hokies leading 31-28 with a little less than five minutes remaining, senior defensive end Victor Dimukeje picked up his third career fumble recovery to halt a potential Virginia Tech scoring opportunity.

The Blue Devils were unable to convert on the turnover and Virginia Tech took back possession and added one final rushing touchdown. Freshman kicker Charlie Ham closed out the scoring after he recorded a 39-yard field goal as time expired.

Leading Duke’s receiving corps was redshirt sophomore Jarett Garner who registered a career-high 84 yards on three receptions, including a career-long 41-yard catch. Gray finished with six catches for 51 yards and a touchdown, improving to 20 consecutive games with at least one reception. Gray now sits at 95 career receptions, ranking second all-time at Duke for a tight end.

Jackson rushed for 74 yards on 15 carries, finding the endzone on two occasions. Junior Mataeo Durant finished with a team-high 86 yards on 11 attempts. Duke’s 139 rushing yards were a season-high and the most in a single game since hosting Georgia Tech last season.

Defensively, senior safety Marquis Waters recorded a team-leading 10 tackles, resulting in his second career double-digit tackle game. Redshirt sophomore cornerback Jeremiah Lewis recorded his first career interception near the end of the second quarter and finished with seven tackles.

Duke returns to action next Saturday when it travels to Syracuse, N.Y., to take on the Syracuse Orange at 12:30 p.m.