Upcoming Event: Football at Cal on October 4, 2025 at 10:30 p.m.
/
10:30 p.m.
Football
at Cal
Sunday Rewind: A Look Back at the Syracuse Game
11/17/2019 2:34:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke football dropped a 49-6 decision to Syracuse on Saturday.
Despite the outcome, there were some positives that came out of the game. Let's take a quick rewind to see how everything unfolded.
Â
After recording a sack on Saturday afternoon, redshirt sophomore linebacker Shaka Heyward has now posted at least one take down in each of Duke's last three games. He has produced 29 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery during that three-game stretch. With 47 tackles on the season, Heyward is three stops away from becoming the 23rd freshman in Duke history to register 50+ tackles in a year.
Redshirt junior kicker AJ Reed went 2-for-3 on field goals for the day. The Prattville, Ala., native missed a 44-yarder before converting from 31- and 51-yards out. That 51-yarder was a career best for Reed, beating his previous best of 50 yards recorded against North Carolina A&T earlier this season. Reed became the sixth player in Duke history to record multiple field goals of 50+ yards in a season, joining Sims Lenhardt (1998), Brent Garber (2002), Matt Brooks (2004), Joe Surgan (2008) and Ross Martin (2012, 2013 & 2015).
Some other notable highlights were: Austin Parker booting a career-long 72-yard punt against the Orange to match the 10th-longest boot in Duke history. Over his last three games, Parker has punted 23 times for 1,089 yards – good for a per kick average of 47.35 yards with 11 boots covering 50+ yards. He currently ranks fifth in the ACC and 18th nationally with a season punting average at 44.64.
On Saturday versus Syracuse, Deon Jackson topped the 1,500-yard plateau on the ground to become the 23rd player in Blue Devil history with 1,500+ rushing yards. In addition, Jackson, who has 53 career pass receptions, is one of 10 players in Duke history to amass 1,500+ rushing yards and 50+ catches in a career, joining Mike Grayson (1980-83), Julius Grantham (1982-86), Roger Boone (1986-89), Randy Cuthbert (1988-92), Chris Douglas (2000-03), Alex Wade (2000-03), Josh Snead (2010-14), Shaquille Powell (2012-15), Shaun Wilson (2014-17).Â
The Blue Devils head back on the road for their final regular season road at 4 p.m., on ACC Network.
To order Duke tickets, call (919) 681-BLUE or visit www.GoDuke.com/footballtix.
Â
Despite the outcome, there were some positives that came out of the game. Let's take a quick rewind to see how everything unfolded.
Â
After recording a sack on Saturday afternoon, redshirt sophomore linebacker Shaka Heyward has now posted at least one take down in each of Duke's last three games. He has produced 29 tackles, 5.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks, one interception and one fumble recovery during that three-game stretch. With 47 tackles on the season, Heyward is three stops away from becoming the 23rd freshman in Duke history to register 50+ tackles in a year.
SAAAAAACK??@S_Heyward05 drops the QB and Syracuse will punt when we start the second quarter.#GoDuke pic.twitter.com/2b7occAdfQ
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) November 16, 2019
Redshirt junior kicker AJ Reed went 2-for-3 on field goals for the day. The Prattville, Ala., native missed a 44-yarder before converting from 31- and 51-yards out. That 51-yarder was a career best for Reed, beating his previous best of 50 yards recorded against North Carolina A&T earlier this season. Reed became the sixth player in Duke history to record multiple field goals of 50+ yards in a season, joining Sims Lenhardt (1998), Brent Garber (2002), Matt Brooks (2004), Joe Surgan (2008) and Ross Martin (2012, 2013 & 2015).
??????@_AJR48 connects from 31 yards out!
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) November 16, 2019
Duke 3
Syracuse 14#GoDuke pic.twitter.com/5TNw99XLBz
Can he kick it? (Yes he can) ??
— Duke Football (@DukeFOOTBALL) November 16, 2019
Career-long 51 yard field goal for @_AJR48 ??????
Duke 6
Syracuse 14#GoDuke pic.twitter.com/IKfV5bbM6z
Some other notable highlights were: Austin Parker booting a career-long 72-yard punt against the Orange to match the 10th-longest boot in Duke history. Over his last three games, Parker has punted 23 times for 1,089 yards – good for a per kick average of 47.35 yards with 11 boots covering 50+ yards. He currently ranks fifth in the ACC and 18th nationally with a season punting average at 44.64.
On Saturday versus Syracuse, Deon Jackson topped the 1,500-yard plateau on the ground to become the 23rd player in Blue Devil history with 1,500+ rushing yards. In addition, Jackson, who has 53 career pass receptions, is one of 10 players in Duke history to amass 1,500+ rushing yards and 50+ catches in a career, joining Mike Grayson (1980-83), Julius Grantham (1982-86), Roger Boone (1986-89), Randy Cuthbert (1988-92), Chris Douglas (2000-03), Alex Wade (2000-03), Josh Snead (2010-14), Shaquille Powell (2012-15), Shaun Wilson (2014-17).Â
The Blue Devils head back on the road for their final regular season road at 4 p.m., on ACC Network.
To order Duke tickets, call (919) 681-BLUE or visit www.GoDuke.com/footballtix.
Â
Players Mentioned
LB
/ Football
RB
/ Football
P
/ Football
Game Trailer: California
Friday, October 03
Coach Diaz Media Availability: Cal
Wednesday, October 01
Bruno Fina Media Availability: Cal
Tuesday, September 30
Tre Freeman Media Availability: Cal
Tuesday, September 30
