DURHAM, N.C. – Duke dropped a 56-24 decision to North Carolina on Saturday afternoon at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
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Duke found itself in a 28-0 deficit just 16 minutes into the contest. The Blue Devils finally broke through when sophomore Eli Pancol scampered in from 22-yards out on a reverse. The Tar Heels added two more scores before Duke got on the scoreboard again, this time with a 29-yard field goal by redshirt freshman Charlie Ham to cut the deficit to 42-10 at the break.
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North Carolina used a Duke fumble deep in its own territory to go 28 yards in three plays to extend its advantage to 49-10 early in the third quarter.
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Junior Mataeo Durant responded for the Blue Devils on their ensuing drive rushing for 50 of the possible 75 yards, including a 46-yard touchdown run. The McCormick, S.C., native has now registered at least one rush of 45-plus yards in three of Duke's last four contests.
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The two teams traded touchdowns in the fourth quarter with Duke seeing redshirt freshman Jordan Waters score his second rushing touchdown in as many games. That scamper capped off a 10-play, 51-yard drive led by redshirt sophomore quarterback Gunnar Holmberg.
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Duke's top rusher was Durant who finished his night with his third 100-yard rushing performance after compiling 132 yards on 11 carries. Durant's 132 yards in the game gave him 1,096 for his career, making him the 50th Blue Devil to reach the 1,000 career rushing yards milestone.
Redshirt junior quarterback Chase Brice finished the day 11-of-23 for 155 yards. Holmberg also saw action under center going 7-of-9 for a career-high 70 yards.
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Sophomore wide receiver Darrell Harding Jr. led the Blue Devils in receiving with a career-high 70 yards on five catches.
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Senior Marquis Waters recorded his fourth double digit tackle game when he finished the day with a team best 10. Fellow classmate Michael Carter II earned Duke's seventh interception of the season when he picked off Tar Heel quarterback Sam Howell in the third quarter.
Duke has an open date before it returns to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on Nov. 21 for a matchup with Wake Forest. Game details are still yet to be determined.