Game Notes: Pittsburgh

2019 Home Football Promotions

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke is back at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium after a month hiatus when it hosts Pittsburgh for Durham Day in its ACC home opener Saturday.

Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. and will be broadcast live on the ACC Network.

The Blue Devils are coming off a 45-10 victory at Virginia Tech for their first ACC win of the year. The Hokies scored the game's opening three points, but Duke answered with 31 consecutive points to break the contest open. The 35-point win marked the largest by the Blue Devils over the Hokies since Duke won 55-6 in 1951 and was also Duke's largest road win in ACC play since 1989 when it defeated North Carolina, 41-0.

Pittsburgh defeated Delaware, 17-14, in its last outing. Quarterback Nick Patti directed a fourth quarter drive with a touchdown pass to help the Panthers notch their third win of the season. Patti capped the eight-play, 90-yard drive by finding Taysir Mack in the end zone from 12 yards out.

Gametime is set for 8 p.m., at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium and will air on the ACC Network with Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck, and Katie George on the call. The game can also be heard on the Blue Devils IMG Sports Network through the TuneIn app or goduke.com

HOW TO FOLLOW
Duke (3-1, 1-0 ACC) vs. Pittsburgh (3-2, 0-1 ACC)
Saturday, October 5, 2019 • 8 PM
Durham, N.C. • Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium (40,004 • Natural Grass)

TELEVISION • ACC Network • ESPN Re-Air
RADIO • Blue Devils IMG Sports Network
GAME NOTES • Duke Notes • Pittsburgh Notes
LIVE STATS • GoDuke.com
TWITTER • @DukeFOOTBALL

Saturday's contest will be the 24th meeting between Duke and Pittsburgh. The Panthers hold a 14-9 edge on the series and are currently riding a four-game winning streak over the Blue Devils.

Duke's last win over Pittsburgh came in double overtime on Nov. 1, 2014. The Blue Devils prevailed, 51-48, after quarterback Thomas Sirk muscled himself into the end zone from five yards out. Pitt had an opportunity to win the game at the end of regulation, but kicker Chris Blewitt missed a 26-yard field goal. Both teams scored a touchdown in the first overtime before the Duke defense held the Panthers to a 43-yard field goal in the second OT.

Since failing to score more than a field goal in their season opener against No. 2 Alabama, Duke has responded with 17 total touchdowns over its last three games (11 receiving and six rushing). With Noah Gray's two scores against Virginia Tech, Duke has seen three different players post at least two receiving TDs over its last three games (Jalon Calhoun vs. North Carolina A&T and Aaron Young vs. Middle Tennessee State).

Two Blue Devils were recognized on the ACC Team of the Week as redshirt junior center Jack Wohlabaugh and senior linebacker Koby Quansah were named Offensive Lineman and Linebacker of the Week, respectively. Wohlabaugh led a Duke offensive line that helped the Duke offense throw for 188 yards, rush for 234 and score 45 points on the road at Virginia Tech. Quansah led the Blue Devils in tackles with 13, including five solo takedowns. He sits sixth in the ACC in tackles as well.

When Duke first looked to fill the QB1 role after Daniel Jones departed one season early for the NFL, it didn't have to look very far. Redshirt senior Quentin Harris was the perfect man for the job. Over the last three games Harris has gone 74-of-96 (.771) for 745 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Wilton, Conn., native has also been able to showcase his speed picking up 290 yards on 41 carries with two rushing scores.

Despite having thumb surgery a week before the season opener, senior linebacker Koby Quansah has racked up a team-best 37 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. In Duke's last outing against Virginia Tech, the Manchester, Conn., native matched his career-best performance with 13 tackles. He added a fumble recovery, his second career takeaway, and assisted on a sack as well.

Two other Blue Devils have earned 20-plus tackles on the year in Dylan Singleton and Brandon Hill with 32 and 25, respectively. Redshirt sophomore Chris Rumph II currently leads the team with 4.5 tackles for loss, while he and Tre Hornbuckle are tops on the team with 2.0 sacks on the year.

Duke Football has partnered with CuringKidsCancer.org to bring awareness to childhood cancer. During Saturday's game, Duke players will be wearing special helmet decals in recognition of the fight against children's cancer. Current and past children's cancer patients and their families were invited to the game and will be recognized on the field during the contest.

Players Mentioned

Jalon Calhoun

Noah Gray

Quentin Harris

Brandon Hill

Tre Hornbuckle

Daniel Jones

Koby Quansah

Chris Rumph II

Dylan Singleton

Jack Wohlabaugh

Aaron Young

Duke information