Blue Devils Fall at Virginia, 30-27

Saturday, November 18

Charlottesville, Va.

3 p.m.

Duke University

6-5 , 3-4

Virginia

3-8 , 2-5

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Duke

Virginia

Blue Devils Fall at Virginia, 30-27

11/18/2023 7:51:00 PM | Football

Box Score Box Score Postgame Notes Postgame Quotes Photo Gallery Postgame Interview: Mike Elko Postgame Interview: Brandon Johnson Postgame Interview: Jordan Moore

CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – Duke's fourth quarter rally fell short Saturday night as the Blue Devils dropped a 30-27 decision to Virginia at Scott Stadium.

With the game knotted at 10-10 at the break, the Cavaliers (3-8, 2-5 ACC) scored 14 consecutive points to pull in front, 24-10, with 6:33 remaining in the third quarter. A Todd Pelino 34-yard field goal cut the deficit down to 24-13 heading into the final period. The Blue Devils (6-5, 3-4 ACC) outscored the home side, 14-6, in the fourth quarter but weren't able to pull off the needed onside kick to keep their hopes alive.

Duke running back Jaquez Moore finished with 100 rushing yards highlighted by a 58-yard touchdown run, while wideout Jordan Moore collected 117 receiving yards, marking the first pair of Blue Devils to registered 100-yards rushing and 100-yards receiving in the same game since Mataeo Durant (152 rushing yards) and Jalon Calhoun (103 receiving yards) did so on October 9, 2021 against Georgia Tech.

Freshman quarterback Grayson Loftis completed 26-of-45 pass attempts for a season-high 278 with two touchdowns.

Graduate Jeremiah Lewis and senior Jaylen Stinson led the team in tackles with 10 each, while Lewis added a team-high 2.0 tackles for loss.

How It Happened

The home side started the scoring with a 34-yard touchdown reception by Malik Washington in the middle of the first quarter.
Duke answered with a seven-yard touchdown catch by Calhoun from Loftis to knot the score at 7-7 with 11 minutes remaining in the second frame.
On the ensuing drive, Virginia converted on a 46-yard field goal to pull back in front at 10-7.
Pelino's 29-yard field goal as the halftime clock expired tied the game for Duke and capped a 15 play, 60-yard drive.
The Cavaliers then scored on back-to-back drives, one aided by a Duke interception, in the third quarter to jump back on top at 24-10 with 6:33 remaining in the frame.
Pelino added another field goal, this time from 34-yards out, to cut into the advantage at 24-13 late in the third period.
The Cavaliers extended their edge back to 14 points at 27-13 following a 21-yard field goal by Will Bettridge with 10:18 left to play.
A little over one minute later, Jaquez Moore broke free for a 58-yard touchdown jaunt to pull the Blue Devils to within 27-20.
Despite Virginia adding another field goal to extend its advantage to 30-20, the Blue Devils continued to battle, scoring one final touchdown after Loftis found Mehki Wall for a two-yard touchdown reception to make it a 30-27 ballgame with 1:13 remaining in the game.
Unfortunately, the Blue Devils weren't able to convert on the needed onside kick to keep their hopes alive.

Notables

Jordan Moore posted his second career 100-plus yard receiving game (199 at Pittsburgh, 2022).
Jaquez Moore tallied his second career 100-plus yard rushing game (110 at Florida State, 2023).
After recording 52 receiving yards on four receptions with one touchdown, Calhoun is now 69 receiving yards away from reaching 3,000 in his career.
Wall earned a career-high five receptions for 36 yards and his first career touchdown, all coming in the fourth quarter.
R.J. Oben finished with Duke's lone sack in the game to tie James Kirkland and Ryan Fowler for ninth all-time on Duke's career sack chart.
Aeneas Peebles registered 1.5 tackles for loss, marking his fourth game this season with 1.0-plus tackles for loss.
For the ninth time this season, the Blue Devils registered 5.0-plus tackles for loss after posting a season-high 9.0 on Saturday.

Up Next

The Blue Devils welcome Pittsburgh for its regular season finale at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 25. Kickoff is slated for Noon on the ACC Network. The Panthers are coming off a 24-16 victory over Boston College during their last outing.

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

#GoDuke