Duke Comeback Stymied in 33-30 Loss to Pitt

Saturday, October 5

Durham, N.C.

8 p.m.

Duke University

3-2 , 1-1

Pittsburgh

4-2 , 1-1

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Pittsburgh

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke Comeback Stymied in 33-30 Loss to Pitt

10/6/2019 12:32:00 AM | Football

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By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. – A thrilling fourth quarter saw Duke take a four-point lead inside the final two minutes but ultimately fall to Pitt, 33-30, Saturday night at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

After getting out to a slow start offensively, the Blue Devils found their footing after halftime, responding with 183 yards and four touchdowns over the final two periods. Pitt put together a final scoring drive to hand Duke its second loss of the season.

Redshirt senior quarterback Quentin Harris accounted for two touchdowns on the ground and one through the air while junior running back Deon Jackson had two scores – one rushing and one receiving – and wrapped up the evening with 60 yards on 19 carries.

Defensively Duke was led by Koby Quansah's 11 tackles, while Brandon Hill added 10. Junior Marquis Waters and redshirt senior Edgar Cerenord both recorded interceptions in a game plagued by turnovers.

Trailing 26-3 early in the third quarter, the Blue Devils swung momentum their way late in the period, as redshirt freshman linebacker Shaka Heyward recovered a muffed punt return by Pitt and Harris sealed the scoring drive with a four-yard dash to the end zone. Senior safety Dylan Singleton forced a second fumble, which was recovered by Leonard Johnson, setting up a nine-play, 43-yard scoring series. Jackson ran the ball in from two yards out and freshman Jalon Calhoun secured the two-point conversion to cut it to 26-18 with 13:09 left on the clock.

Duke kept it rolling on the Panthers' next possession, with Cerenord rising to the moment to record his first career interception. Harris keyed a seven-play, 25-yard scoring drive, taking off on a 17-yard run before finishing off the series with a three-yard touchdown rush. The Blue Devils attempted a two-point conversion that was initially ruled successful but retried due to an inadvertent signal. The second attempt was unsuccessful, keeping Pitt in front at 26-24.

Duke's defense forced a punt with just over three minutes remaining and Harris again orchestrated a score. The Blue Devils went 86 yards, with Harris finding Jackson for a 44-yard touchdown reception.

Pickett strung together five consecutive passes, including a 26-yard touchdown reception to V'Lique Carter, to regain the lead for Pitt.

The Blue Devils struck first Saturday evening on an AJ Reed field goal, keeping him a perfect 6-for-6 on the year, capping a 14-play, 65-yard opening offensive drive. Pitt responded with back-to-back interceptions, capitalizing on both turnovers to swing the score to 10-3 in the visitors' favor late in the first quarter.

Waters picked off a pass by the Panthers' Kenny Pickett in the Pitt end zone, denying the visitors on a 68-yard march down the field. However, Pickett would lead the Panthers to two more scores – a field goal and a touchdown pass that followed a 50-yard punt return by Maurice Ffrench. Pitt would take the 19-3 advantage into the locker room at the intermission.

Duke will be back at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium next weekend, continuing ACC action against Georgia Tech Saturday, Oct. 12. The Homecoming contest is slated for a 12:30 p.m. start on RSN.

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