The third quarter showed a lot of what Riley Leonard’s legs can do when he scrambles out of the pocket. Duke starts the fourth up 31-7.
Posted September 14, 2023 2:27 p.m. EDT
Updated September 16, 2023 5:45 p.m. EDT
By Aaron Beard, Associated Press
Duke — Riley Leonard 3 yard rushing touchdown, (T. Pelino kick), 10:06. Another rushing touchdown from Riley Leonard — 2 yards, 3:12. Key Plays: Jalon Calhoun catches a deep 28 yard pass to send the Blue Devils to midfield with 6 minutes left in the third.
Jordan Waters came out with another touchdown to start the second quarter and make it 14-0. After pushing down the field a second time, Northwestern was able to make Duke settle for a field goal.
Northwestern also snuck in a touchdown before the half, with a 14 yard pass to A.J. Henning to make it 17-7.
Duke — Jordan Waters 2 yard rushing touchdown (T. Pelino kick), 14:19. Todd Pelino 34 yard FG, 9:06. Key Plays: A great scramble from Riley Leonard of 33 yards brought Duke’s offense down to the Northwestern 33, but they had to settle for a 34 yard field goal. Northwestern — Ben Bryant 14 yard passing touchdown to WR A.J. Henning, .39. Drive: 15 plays, 73 yards, 8:26. Duke 17, Northwestern 7.
Duke’s offense came out looking strong in the first quarter with a 24 yard rushing touchdown to start the game from Jordan Waters.
The Duke defense had some big stops, including a sack from Kendall Johnson on third down. This kept Northwestern on their side of the field for most of the quarter, and made it difficult for Ben Bryant to pass the ball.
Duke — Jordan Waters 24 yard rushing touchdown, (T. Pelino kick), 11:06. Drive: 6 plays, 56 yards, 2:36. Key Plays: Northwestern had a big stop on a 4th & 1 at 6:35 — giving their offense another chance to tie the game. Duke LB Kendall Johnson comes up with a big sack on Ben Bryant on third down — giving Leonard and his offense a chance to score before the end of the quarter.
