Duke's six takeaways aren't enough in OT setback to No. 22 SMU

28

winner

SMU
SMU

7-1, 4-0

27

duke
YOU

6-2, 2-2

winner

28

27

Points by quarters

team	1	2	3	4	OT	F
SMU SMU	0	14	7	0	7	28
YOU duke	7	0	6	8	6	27

Match Review: Football | Oct 26, 2024 11:58 p.m

DURHAM, N.C — Duke forced six turnovers and recovered in the fourth quarter to force overtime, but No. 22 SMU's offense proved too strong as the Mustangs cruised to a 28-27 win Saturday night at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium achieved. The setback was Duke's first at home since Sept. 30, 2023 against No. 11 Notre Dame.

Graduate defensive tackle Kendy Charles led the defense with a career-high 11 tackles while forcing six Blue Devils fumbles and was a senior linebacker Cameron Bergeron scored his first career interception. Graduate wide receiver Eli Pancol finished with a personal-best 11 receptions for 138 yards and a touchdown in the extra session, along with a crucial two-point conversion.

The Blue Devils fall to 6-2, 2-2 in ACC play while the Mustangs improve to 7-1, 4-0 in league play.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The Mustangs had a strong opening attack, but suffered a forced fumble and recovery Ryan Smith stopped the drive at the Duke four-yard line.
• After a second stop against the Mustangs, the Blue Devils put together their longest drive of the season and took a 7-0 lead with 2:38 left in the first quarter. Maalik Murphy capped the 95-yard march with a 43-yard touchdown strike Que'Sean Brown. The reception was the longest of Brown's career.
• SMU responded to Duke's offense with consecutive shots on goal to take a 14-7 lead. Brashard Smith tied the score for the Mustangs with a one-yard run on fourth down with 14:03 left in the half. Quarterback Kevin Jennings gave SMU the lead on its next drive with a three-yard run with 3:56 left in the second quarter. Jennings fumbled the play but fell on the ball in the end zone to preserve the score.
• After a Duke punt gave SMU the ball back with 1:47 left, the Blue Devil defense forced turnovers on consecutive Mustang offensive plays with a Cameron Bergeron interception and Tre Freeman forced and recovered a fumble, but the offense turned around on downs and ran out of time in the half.
• After an opening three-pointer to start the second half, Duke's defense built a huge lead to keep the game within one point. With SMU facing first-and-goal from Duke's one-yard line, the Blue Devils stayed strong four straight plays and kept the Mustangs from scoring.
• The Blue Devil's offensive attack stalled at the SMU 45-yard line after a sack pushed Duke out of field goal range. Two plays later, the Mustangs took a 21-7 lead with an 81-yard touchdown pass from Jennings to Roderick Daniels Jr.
• Duke took the ensuing kickoff, marched 75 yards and scored on a 12-yard pass from Murphy Jordan Moore. Todd Pelino missed the first extra point of his career and snapped a string of 81 consecutive hits, making it 21-13 in SMU's favor.
• The Blue Devils tied the game on their next drive Star Thomas One-yard run and Eli Pancol Two-point conversion.
• On the ensuing drive, Duke increased its momentum thanks to a third-down interception by Freeman. His second takeaway of the contest and the Blue Devils' fourth turnover gave Duke the ball at the SMU 37-yard line in a tied game with 8:35 left.
• After a first down, Duke's 42-yard field goal attempt by Pelino missed the left side, keeping the score even with 5:38 left.
• On another third for SMU, Chandler Rivers made a diving catch for an interception as the Blue Devils regained possession at the SMU 39-yard line with 3:57 left.
• Duke got its sixth takeaway of the night on a forced fumble by Bergeron and the recovery by Ozzie Nicholaswho returned the loose ball 21 yards to the SMU 14-yard line with 1:17 on the clock.
• With three seconds left in the fourth quarter, Duke's potential game-winning 30-yard field goal attempt by Pelino was blocked by SMU's Jahfari Harvey, sending the game into overtime.
• SMU scored on the second play of overtime, a 24-yard dash by Brashard Smith.
• Duke responded on the next play from scrimmage, a 25-yard connection from Murphy to Pancol. The Blue Devils went for two points, but Murphy's pass attempt failed.

NEXT

• Duke travels to No. 6 Miami next Saturday, Nov. 2. The game begins at noon on ABC.

For more information on Duke football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching “https://goduke.com/news/2024/10/26/DukeFOOTBALL.”



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