Pelino’s Game-Winning Field Goal Secures Bowl Eligibility

Thursday, November 2

Durham, N.C.

7:30 p.m.

Duke University

Wake Forest

Pelino’s Game-Winning Field Goal Secures Bowl Eligibility

11/3/2023 1:10:00 AM | Football

Box Score Box Score Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes Photo Gallery Postgame Interview: Mike Elko Postgame Interview: DeWayne Carter Postgame Interview: Grayson Loftis

DURHAM – Sophomore Todd Pelino kicked the game-winning 26-yard field goal as time expired to lift Duke past Wake Forest, 24-21, on Thursday night at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

With the win, the Blue Devils (6-3, 3-2 ACC) are bowl eligible for the second-consecutive season and Mike Elko becomes the first Duke head coach to lead the Blue Devils to bowl eligibility in back-to-back seasons to start a career.

Duke's only lead of the game came after Pelino's ninth made field goal of the year. His game-winning kick marked the third Blue Devil win in program history occurring on the final snap of regulation and the first since Matt Brooks drilled a 53-yard field goal as time expired against Clemson on November 13, 2004.

Rookie quarterback Grayson Loftis, who earned his first career start on Thursday due to injuries to Riley Leonard and Henry Belin IV, finished the night 7-of-19 passing for 86 yards with one touchdown and eight rushes for 17 yards.

Running backs Jaquez Moore and Jordan Waters both recorded 76 yards rushing with one score, while wide receiver Jordan Moore finished with three receptions for 43 yards with one touchdown.

Linebackers Tre Freeman and Nick Morris Jr. led the team in tackles with 11 each, marking the third game this season two Blue Devils finished with double-digit takedowns.

The Blue Devils have now won two consecutive over Wake Forest, who fall to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in ACC play.

How It Happened

The Demon Deacons started the scoring with a three-yard touchdown run by Tate Carney midway through the opening frame.
The Blue Devils pulled even following a 32-yard touchdown scamper from Jaquez Moore just 38 seconds into the second quarter.
Wake Forest jumped back on top with 8:10 remaining in the second period after quarterback Mitch Griffis found pay dirt from eight yards out.
Right before the break, Duke knotted the score at 14-14 when Waters registered his 10th rushing score of the season.
Late in the third frame, Griffis scampered into the end zone for the second time to hand the visitors a 21-14 edge with 4:35 left to play in the period.
Duke again answered with a 29-yard touchdown reception by Jordan Moore to tie the score at 21-all.
With a little over four minutes remaining in the game, defensive end Ryan Smith intercepted Griffis at the Blue Devils' 38-yard line to halt a potential Wake Forest scoring drive. Duke then used four minutes and 12 seconds to drive 54 yards in 10 plays to register the game-winning field goal as time expired.

Notables

Elko joins former Duke head coach David Cutcliffe as the only two coaches in program history to lead the Blue Devils to bowl eligibility in back-to-back seasons.
Thursday's victory marked the first time Duke had three different starting quarterbacks register a win in the same season in modern history.
Loftis recorded his first career touchdown pass, a 29-yard strike to Jordan Moore in the fourth quarter.
Jaquez Moore tallied his fourth rushing score of the season and the ninth of his career.
Jordan Waters shifted into a tie for eighth all-time in program history for a single season following his 10th rushing score of the year.
Waters tied Ace Parker, Billy Cox, Jay Calabrese and Randy Cuthbert.
Duke's 14-play, 75-yard, 7:10 drive was the longest touchdown drive for the Blue Devils this season in terms of time and plays.
Sophomore cornerback Chandler Rivers recorded a blocked field goal in the first quarter for his second career blocked kick.
Senior defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles registered his first career fumble recovery.
Pelino extended his consecutive PAT streak to 51-straight kicks, moving him into seventh all-time in program lore.

Up Next

The Blue Devils travel to Chapel Hill on Saturday, November 11 for a matchup with North Carolina. Kick time and TV designation have yet to be determined.

Bowl Information

Duke's bowl destination will not be released until Sunday, Dec. 3rd, but fans can log onto GoDuke.com/FootballTix and pre-select the bowls that they would like to attend. Once Duke has accepted a specific bowl invitation, the credit card on file will automatically be charged for those tickets.
Fans can also call the Duke Athletics Ticket Office (Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.) at (919) 681-BLUE (2583).

For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".

#GoDuke