Game Notes: Virginia

DURHAM, N.C. - Duke heads to Charlottesville, Va., for its first of two consecutive road tests when it faces off with Virginia on Saturday.

The Blue Devils are coming off a 41-23 victory over Georgia Tech in which they scored 38 straight points, all of which came in the opening half. Those 38 points were the most scored in a half since Duke put up 47 against N.C. Central in 2017 and the most against an ACC opponent in a half since recording 41 versus Wake Forest in 1999. The day was highlighted by two rushing scores from Deon Jackson, a blocked punt returned for a touchdown, and 3.0 sacks by junior defensive end Victor Dimukeje. Georgia Tech dropped a 38-22 decision to North Carolina during its last outing. Despite 227 yards of offense and 22 points in the second half, the Yellow Jackets couldn't overcome a 17-0 halftime deficit.

Gametime is set for 3:30 p.m., at David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium and will air on the ACC Network with Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, and Kelsey Riggs 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 (4-2, 2-1 ACC) at Virginia (4-2, 2-1 ACC)
Saturday, October 19, 2019 • 3:30 PM
Charlottesville, Va. • David A. Harrison III Field at Scott Stadium (61,500 • Athletic Turf)

TELEVISION • ACC Network
RADIO • Blue Devils IMG Sports Network
GAME NOTES • Duke Notes (PDF) • Virginia Notes
LIVE STATS • VirginiaSports.com
TWITTER • @DukeFOOTBALL

Saturday's contest will be the 71st meeting between Duke and Virginia. The Cavaliers hold a 37-33 edge on the series and have won four consecutive heading into the contest.
The series breakdown:
Away: 12-20 | Home: 18-14 | Neutral: 3-3

Duke and Virginia have played every year since 1963. The Cavaliers had an eight-game winning streak from 2000-07 until Duke won six-of-seven from 2008-14. Since then, however, Virginia has sparked another streak that currently sits at four straight.

Duke's last victory over Virginia came on Oct. 18, 2014 when it registered a 20-13 win on homecoming. Wide receiver Jamison Crowder, who is currently with the New York Jets, caught eight passes for 99 yards and the Blue Devils defense limited the Cavaliers to just three points after half to earn the win. Quarterback Anthony Boone completed 22-of-37 passes for 176 yards and one touchdown. David Helton's 14 tackles led the Duke defense who did not allow the Cavaliers into the red zone for the final 22:11.

Since failing to score more than a field goal in their season opener against No. 2 Alabama, Duke has responded with 26 total touchdowns over its last five games (12 receiving, 13 rushing, and one special teams). With Quentin Harris' rushing score against Georgia Tech last Saturday, the Blue Devils have seen the redshirt senior record at least one TD via the ground game in four of their five outings since the opener.

Over the last five games, Harris has gone 103-of-159 (.648) for 1,086 yards and 11 touchdowns. The Wilton, Conn., native also has been able to showcase his speed picking up 367 yards on 73 carries with five rushing scores.

Duke has had multiple players register double digit tackles in a game on four different occasions this season. Duke earned two players with double digit tackles just four times throughout all of last season. During its most recent outing, senior Koby Quansah and redshirt junior Brandon Hill posted 11 tackles each, respectively.

Of those four games in which the Blue Devils finished with two players with double figure tackles, Quansah has been half of that duo every time. Against Alabama, Quansah (11) teamed up with Dylan Singleton (13), before he (13) and Hill (11) joined forces versus Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech.

Despite having thumb surgery a week before the season opener, Quansah has racked up a team-best 59 tackles, including 6.0 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Two other Blue Devils have earned 40-plus tackles on the year in Hill and Singleton with 46 and 41, respectively.

Quansah and Dimukeje are currently tied for the team lead with 6.0 tackles for loss, while Dimukeje is tops on the Blue Devils squad and fifth in the league with 5.0 sacks on the year after his three against Georgia Tech.

For his performance against Georgia Tech, Dimukeje was recognized as the ACC's Defensive Lineman of the Week. The Baltimore, Md., native compiled six total tackles, 3.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, one caused fumble, and two quarterback pressures on the day. His final sack total was the most by a Duke player vs. an ACC opponent since Phillip Alexander registered 3.0 against Florida State in 2003.

Since the start of the 2017 season, Duke has gone 8-5 in its road games, with a 2-0 mark in 2019. Cutcliffe led the Blue Devils to a mere 8-18 (.308) road record during his opening five years. Since then however, Cutcliffe has watched his Duke team post a 22-13 (.629) mark away from Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Duke, Clemson and Miami are the only three schools ranked in the top six in the ACC for both scoring offense and scoring defense.

Duke sits fourth with a 34.2 points per game mark, while its 23.2 points allowed per contest has the Blue Devils sixth.