The Blue Devils suffer a close one, losing 30-27 against the Cavaliers

By Duke Sports Information

Duke Blue Devils	27
Virginia Cavaliers	30
Final

Duke comes close, but continues losing streak against the UVA Cavaliers at Scott Stadium, losing 30-27 tonight in Charlottesville.

The last time the Blue Devils were able to take the win from the Cavaliers at their home field was in 2013.

Duke quarterback Grayson Loftis completed 26 out of 45 passes, while having 278 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception. Without starting quarterback Riley Leonard, the ground game was certain for the Blue Devils - with Jaquez Moore having one hundred yards and a touchdown as well.

Coming In Hot

Both defenses seemed to come into the game steaming, forcing three and outs right away for both sides of the offensive game.

A forced fumble by Jordan Waters stopped a seemingly perfect drive for Duke's offense, and was recovered by the UVA defense to continue their offensive drive on the field.

Grayson Loftis took one sack throughout the game, but was continuing to feel the UVA Cavalier pressure throughout the four quarters.

Don't Count Out Loftis

While some stops by UVA's defense were made, Duke came out steaming with a 7 yard receiving touchdown from wide receiver Jalon Calhoun in the second, and the scoring continued throughout the third and fourth quarter.

Duke RB Jacquez Moore had an explosive day, with a 58 yard rushing touchdown to the house in the start of the fourth, making this close for the Blue Devils as the clock was ticking.

Duke receiver Mehki Wall got his first career touchdown as a Blue Devil tonight as well, but the offense was unable to tie it up before the clock hit zero.

Lots of penalties were flying left and right and tons of yellow laundry could be seen throughout the quarter. Most penalties were on UVA's offense, but an uncalled holding penalty in the end zone for Duke frustrated Mike Elko, thinking it should have been a safety. Todd Pelino ties it up before the half after

Yellow Laundry

The second quarter was a blanket of flags and 'yellow laundry' was constantly flying.

Constant penalties on UVA's offense was frustrating the team, but the frustration grew even stronger for the Blue Devils, when a holding penalty was not called on a UVA defender.

This was crucial to Mike Elko, because if it were to be called it would have been a safety in the end zone, with Duke being in only a two point deficit before the half.

M & M

UVA wide receivers Malik Washington and Malachi Fields really sparked the UVA offense in the third quarter, sealing the deal for the win.

Malachi Fields had 4 receptions for 74 yards and a 29 yard receiving touchdown in the third.

Malik Washington also set the tone scoring once at the start in the first and having a seven yard receiving touchdown in the third.

Having these types of players ready for the deep ball had freshman UVA quarterback Anthony Colandrea throwing needles down the middle and throwing bread in a basket on the deep route.

This made it almost impossible for Duke's defense to guard in the secondary, letting too many points on the board and the deep ball get away from them.

Up Next:

The Blue Devils head back home to Wallace Wade stadium on November 25th, with a time of TBD to play Pitt in their last home game of the season.

Scoring Summary

Quarter 4: UVA: Will Bettridge 21 yard field goal made, 10:18. Will Bettridge 30 yard field goal made, 3:43. Duke: RB Jaquez Moore 58 yard rushing touchdown, 9:03. WR Mehki Wall 2 yard receiving touchdown, (T. Pelino kick), 1:13.

Quarter 3: UVA: WR Malachi Fields 29 yard receiving touchdown, (W. Bettridge kick), 11:03. WR Malik Washington 7 yard receiving touchdown, (W. Bettridge kick), 6:33. Duke: Todd Pelino 34 yard field goal, 4:23. UVA 24, Duke 13.

Quarter 2: Duke: WR Jalon Calhoun 7 yard receiving touchdown (T. Pelino kick), 11:00. UVA: Will Bettridge 46 yard field goal, 8:29. Duke 10, UVA 10.

Quarter 1: UVA: WR Malik Washington 34 yard receiving touchdown, (W. Bettridge kick), 7:29. UVA 7, Duke 0.

Preview - Duke heads to Charlottesville, Va., for its final road game of the regular season against Virginia at Scott Stadium on Saturday.

Kickoff is set for 3 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on The CW.

Virginia leads the all-time series between the two schools, 40-34. In the last meeting on Oct. 1, 2022, Duke rolled up 242 yards on the ground and rushed for four touchdowns in a 38-17 victory at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Quarterback Riley Leonard finished the game 18-of-24 passing for 129 yards and accounted for three touchdowns as Duke beat the Cavaliers for the first time since the 2014 season.

Duke has faced five nationally-ranked opponents this season, marking the most since facing No. 4 Florida State, No. 14 Virginia, No. 19 Clemson, No. 14 NC State, and No. 21 North Carolina during the 1993 season

Of the 19 teams nationally with four losses on the year, Duke joins Southern California as the only schools with all four losses coming against top-25 opponents.

Saturday's The CW broadcast will feature Evan Lepler, Dave Archer and Wes Bryant on the call. The game can also be heard on the Blue Devil Sports Network from LEARFIELD through the Varsity app or goduke.com.