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Duke Football: Blue Devils can’t stop Pittsburgh in heart breaker

By Kevin Connelly

PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: Maurice Ffrench #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after a catch in the second quarter during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Heinz Field on October 6, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA - OCTOBER 06: Maurice Ffrench #2 of the Pittsburgh Panthers reacts after a catch in the second quarter during the game against the Syracuse Orange at Heinz Field on October 6, 2018 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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In absolutely heartbreaking fashion Duke Football fell at the hands to the Pittsburgh Panthers in the final minute of a major ACC game.

You just knew it was going to come down to who had the ball last and unfortunately for the Blue Devils, it was the Pittsburgh Panthers who had the ball last and they capitalized on the opportunity that was in front of them.

After a high scoring first half, the defenses appeared stout in the early stages of this game as opposed to the 2nd half.

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The Blue Devils took a 21-17 lead into the break, but then chaos ensued as in the first six possessions of the second half, points were scored on all six of those drives, five ending in touchdowns.

However, in the final six drives of the game, the Blue Devils were forced to punt twice while Pittsburgh scored two touchdowns and a field goal.

Despite the horrendous play from the Duke defense, they offense had a chance to end the game late in the fourth quarter with a first down from midfield but the Blue Devils could not move the ball from there and a sack of Daniel Jones on third down forced Duke to punt back to Pittsburgh and that was the beginning of the end for Duke.

The Panthers marched 84 yards in seven plays in a minute and seven seconds culminating in a 25 yard touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett to Maurice Ffrench.

Pittsburgh ran for a total of 484 yards — yes, 484 yards, — on 52 carries and four touchdowns.

The rushing attack was led by Qadree Ollison who had 149 yards and a touchdown, while V’Lique Carter finished with 137 yards and two touchdowns. Ffrench posted 69 yards rushing, while Darrin Hall (only) had 53 yards.

Outside of the final drive, Kenny Pickett was mostly a non-factor only completing eight of his 18 passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns but he did pick up 76 yards on the ground as well as a touchdown.

Ffrench a thorn in the Blue Devils side all day as he reeled in two passes for 75 yards and two touchdowns.

The Blue Devil offense wasn’t bad led by Deon Jackson who was dynamic in the kick return game along with 162 yards on 10 carries and three receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown.

Daniel Jones completed 27 of his 42 pass attempts for 396 yards and four touchdowns while running for 38 more yards.

Backup quarterback Quentin Harris rushed for two touchdowns in the wildcat package.

Jonathan Lloyd and T.J. Rahming had nice days leading the Duke receiving corps as Lloyd posted seven catches for 136 yards and a touchdown while Rahming had nine catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns.

The Blue Devils have fallen to 5-3 on the season and 1-3 in the ACC.

Duke is back in action next Saturday night at 7:00 pm ET against the Miami Hurricanes at Wallace Wade Stadium.

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