Duke Concludes Season at Florida State

Saturday, December 12

Tallahassee, Fla.

4 p.m.

Duke University

2-9 , 1-9

Florida State

3-6 , 2-6

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th	Final F
Duke	7	14	0	14	35
Florida State	28	0	14	14	56

Duke Concludes Season at Florida State

12/12/2020 8:42:00 PM | Football

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TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Duke dropped a 56-35 decision at Florida State on Saturday in its season finale at Doak Campbell Stadium.

The Seminoles jumped out to a 28-0 lead early, but the Blue Devils responded with three straight scores to cut the deficit to 28-21 at the break. Wide receiver Eli Pancol and running backs Mataeo Durant and Deon Jackson all found the end zone for Duke during that stretch.

Unfortunately, the Seminoles outscored Duke 28-14 in the second half to register the win. Duke concludes its season with a 2-9 overall record and a 1-9 mark in ACC play.

Redshirt junior quarterback Chase Brice finished 7-of-17 for 81 yards and a 26-yard touchdown connect with Pancol. Rookie quarterback Luca Diamont stepped in for an injured Brice in the third quarter and finished the game going 5-of-8 for 38 yards. He also added 60 yards on the ground thanks to 12 carries. Saturday's contest was Diamont's first career snaps under center.

Senior quarterback Daniel Karlin made his first appearance as a Blue Devil in the fourth quarter after Diamont's helmet came off the play before. He rushed once for a one-yard score.

Durant led the rushing attacked surpassing the 100-yard mark for the fourth time this season after compiling 127 yards on 13 carries. This marked the first time a Blue Devil recorded four-plus 100-yard rushing games in the same season since Chris Douglas did so in 2003. Durant's 127 rushing yards were also just the third time Duke had a 100-yard rusher against Florida State. Current running backs coach Re'quan Boyette hit that mark in 2009 when he accumulated 123 yards as did Alex Wade with his 114 yards in 2002.

Fellow position mate Jackson also found paydirt when he scored on a one-yard jaunt to cut the deficit down to seven points with five minutes remaining in the first half. The senior from Atlanta, Ga., also helped Duke register another touchdown after connecting with redshirt sophomore wide receiver Dennis Smith for a 29-yard catch-and-score in the fourth quarter.

Pancol and Smith led the receiving group with 28 and 37 yards, respectively. Pancol's touchdown marked his second of the season, first through the air. Smith caught a 29-yard pass from Jackson on a trick play for Duke's fourth touchdown. The score was the first of Smith's career.

Senior TE Noah Gray wrapped up his historic career as Duke's all-time leader in receptions by a tight end with 105. He also finished his Blue Devil tenure with 948 yards and eight touchdowns for first and fourth, respectively, in program history for a tight end.

Defensively, the Blue Devils were led by Nate Thompson who posted seven tackles, including a fumble recovery and an interception. He became the first Duke player to record two turnovers in a game since Ben Humphreys registered two fumble recoveries against Miami in 2018.

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