florida state vs duke Defense Powers Duke to Victory Over Florida State | youbooktube
| Score List | Match 1 | Match 2 | Match 3 | Match 4 | Match 5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FSU | 3 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 16 |
| DU | 7 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 23 |
In a thrilling and defense-driven match-up, Duke University powered their way to a 23-16 victory against Florida State on Friday night at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The game was characterized by intense defensive play, especially from Duke, whose defense amassed 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, and four forced turnovers. These turnovers led to 17 points, giving Duke the edge they needed to secure the win against a struggling Florida State team.
Duke's defensive dominance came into play early in the game, beginning with a pivotal moment from junior defensive back Chandler Rivers.
Rivers picked off a pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown, giving Duke its first lead of the game at 7-3. The defensive surge didn't stop there, as Florida State’s offense fumbled on the very next play. This fumble was forced by graduate linebacker Ozzie Nicholas and recovered by graduate defensive end Ryan Smith,
setting up a 2-yard touchdown run by Star Thomas. Just moments later, Nicholas came up big again with an interception, putting Duke in scoring position for a 27-yard field goal by Todd Pelino.
Duke's defense had put them in a commanding 17-3 lead, and Florida State was struggling to respond. The Seminoles,
who came into the game with only one win on the season, found it difficult to break through Duke’s aggressive and well-coordinated defense.
Florida State’s Offensive Struggles
The first sign of trouble for Florida State came early when they managed only a short field goal to go up 3-0. This was followed-by a blocked field goal-by Duke's Wesley Williams,
keeping-the score at 3-0 before Duke’s defense started their scoring barrage. Florida State’s offense faltered time and again, leading to three consecutive turnovers in the first half, which Duke capitalized on to build their lead.
Despite the struggles, Florida State continued to fight. They scored their second field goal just before halftime,
a 53-yard kick, narrowing the score to 17-6. The Seminoles received the ball after the halftime break and immediately returned the kickoff for a touchdown, bringing them within four points at 17-13.
Duke’s Resilient Defense
Even though Florida State was inching closer, Duke’s defense remained unyielding. Their determination to control the game was evident as they forced yet another turnover late in the fourth quarter.
With Florida State threatening on the Duke 31-yard line, graduate nose tackle Christian Rorie forced a fumble, which was recovered by freshman tackle Preston Watson, putting a stop to a potential game-tying drive by the Seminoles.
Senior linebacker Cameron Bergeron and Ozzie Nicholas led Duke’s defense, each recording nine tackles. Graduate linebacker Alex Howard contributed two sacks,
while sophomore defensive end Wesley Williams added 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. It was a complete defensive effort, with every player contributing to the victory over Florida State.
Florida State’s Late-Game Push
Florida State, however, wasn’t finished. The Seminoles managed another field goal in the fourth quarter to close the gap to 20-16. Duke, responding with their own impressive offensive drive,
pushed back with a 39-yard field goal from Pelino to stretch the lead back to seven at 23-16. Florida State’s final chance to tie the game came when they regained possession with just over two minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Seminoles quickly moved the-ball into Duke territory and were threatening-on the Duke 33 yard line when the Blue-Devils’ defense rose to the occasion-once again. On second-and-19,
Duke recorded their sixth sack of the game, halting Florida State's drive. On fourth down, Duke sealed their victory by forcing Florida State into their 11th tackle for loss, wrapping up the Blue Devils’ sixth win of the season.
Duke's Offense Keeps Florida State at Bay
Although it was Duke's defense that dominated the night, the Blue Devils’ offense did its part in keeping Florida State at bay.
Running back Star Thomas led the rushing attack with 88 yards on 21 carries, while kicker Todd Pelino remained perfect,
hitting all three of his field goals and two extra points. His accuracy from long range was crucial in securing the win against Florida State, as he accounted for 11 of Duke’s 23 points.
Florida State’s Defensive Stance
Despite the loss, Florida State's defense had its moments of resilience. The Seminoles held Duke’s offense to field goals in critical moments and managed to keep the game within reach. However,
the inability of Florida State's offense to protect the ball proved to be their undoing. Turnovers, sacks, and pressure from Duke's defense were too much for the Seminoles to overcome.
Game Impact and Outlook
With this win, Duke improves their record to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in ACC play, further solidifying their position as a top team in the conference. Florida State, on the other hand,
falls to a disappointing 1-6 overall and 1-5 in conference play. The Seminoles will need to regroup and focus on addressing the turnover issues that plagued them in this game.
For Duke, the victory over Florida State is a significant confidence boost as they head into the remainder of their season. The Blue Devils will host No. 21/23 SMU next Saturday, October 26, in what promises to be another exciting ACC showdown.
Duke’s Centennial Celebration
Adding to the excitement of the football season is Duke’s upcoming Centennial in 2024. This celebration will mark one hundred years since Trinity College became Duke University, a milestone that Duke plans to commemorate with a yearlong celebration.
The Centennial will not only highlight Duke’s rich history but also serve as an opportunity to look forward to the next hundred years of excellence in academics, athletics, and leadership.
Conclusion
In what was a critical ACC matchup, Duke’s defense stood tall against Florida State, forcing turnovers and capitalizing on the Seminoles’ mistakes to earn a hard-fought 23-16 victory.
The game was a testament to the power of defense, with Duke recording 11 tackles for loss, six sacks, and four turnovers that led directly to points.
Florida State’s inability to protect the ball and sustain offensive drives ultimately cost them the game, as Duke's relentless defensive pressure proved too much to overcome.
With the win, Duke continues to build momentum as they approach the second half of their season, while Florida State will need to find a way to rebound from another difficult loss.
The Blue Devils now turn their attention to a highly anticipated matchup against SMU, where they will look to extend their winning streak and continue their pursuit of an ACC championship.
As Duke celebrates its Centennial in 2024, the university’s football program will play a vital role in marking this historic occasion.
This victory over Florida State is just one chapter in Duke’s ongoing story of excellence, both on and off the field.
