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Duke Football: Halftime Report as the Blue Devils and Cavs battle

By Kevin Connelly

WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: T.J. Rahming #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half of a football game at McLane Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
WACO, TX - SEPTEMBER 15: T.J. Rahming #3 of the Duke Blue Devils celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Baylor Bears during the first half of a football game at McLane Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /
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It’s a key matchup in the ACC Coastal Division as Duke Football hosts the Virginia Cavaliers at Wallace Wade Stadium.

It wasn’t the best of starts for the Duke Blue Devils as the Virginia Cavaliers received the ball first and marched right down the field for a touchdown thanks to a 23 yard touchdown by UVA quarterback Bryce Perkins on a 3rd and 1.

The Duke offense then picked up a first down thanks to a generous spot, but then punting three plays after, the Duke punt team was burned on a Tavares Kelly 43 yard punt return which set up Virginia with the ball in Duke territory, but after penalties by UVA then went for it on a 4th and three but a Perkins pass fell incomplete, giving the ball back to Duke.

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Daniel Jones and the Duke offense couldn’t get anything going for the second consecutive drive and once again punted to UVA and trying to keep the ball away from Kelly, the Blue Devils punted to Chuck Davis who took the ball down to the Duke 38 yard line which led to a Virginia touchdown on another Perkins rushing touchdown.

As the Cavs jumped out to a 14-0 lead, yet another three and out by the Duke offense led to a punt and instead of giving up a big return again, the Blue Devils interfered with the Virginia returner, which resulted in a 15 yard penalty, setting the Cavs with another drive starting around midfield.

While Virginia did move the ball thanks to a defensive pass interference, a missed field goal kept the Blue Devils deficit at 14.

As the Blue Devils got the ball back, Duke had converted back to back third downs and on a 1st and 10 from about the UVA 40 yard line, Jones launched a pass into double coverage in the end zone and was picked off.

The Blue Devils defense held strong after the interception forcing Virginia to a three and out.

The Duke offense one again looked like they had something going but what looked to be a 4th and 2 for Duke from the Virginia 30 yard line, Duke would almost certainly go for it, a holding call brought the Blue Devils back to the 40 yard line and a Daniel Jones sack set them back even further.

The Cavs tried to mount a drive with under two minutes to go in the first half, but a missed 51 yard field goal attempt was no good and Virginia takes a 14-0 lead into the locker room.

Jones finished the half by only completing seven of his 14 passes for 48 yards and an interception, while rushing six times for 20 yards.

As for Virginia, Bryce Perkins completed 11 of 17 passes for 110 yards, but he has been very effective on the ground keeping the football seven times for 31 yards and two touchdowns.

The Blue Devils really need to flip the switch in the second half if they are looking to improve their standing in the ACC Costal Division.

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