SYRACUSE, New York (WNCN) — The Duke Blue Devils were anything but intimidated by the road atmosphere at Syracuse Saturday, scoring at least one touchdown in every quarter of a 38-3 win.
Nate Sheppard was the latest Duke running back to have a career game, rushing for 168 yards and two touchdowns.
Darian Mensah passed for 268 yards and two touchdowns for Duke (3-2), who has now won two straight conference games after back-to-back losses earlier in the season.
The Blue Devils defense, a team strength last season, held Syracuse under 100 yards rushing for the game.
Mensah, who now has 13 touchdown passes, was 22 of 28 for 268 yards. Sheppard had 168 yards on 15 carries for the Blue Devils (3-2, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference), including scoring runs of 49 and 12 yards. Que’sean Brown and Sahmir Hagans had five catches each for 64 and 59 yards, respectively.
Duke amassed 504 yards of total offense averaging nearly 8 yards per play.
Syracuse (3-2, 1-1 ACC) quarterback Rickie Collins, making his first collegiate start replacing Steve Angeli, out for the season with a torn Achilles, was 24 of 37 for 229 yards. Johntay Cook had eight receptions for 84 yards but fumbled twice, one on a controversial play that shifted the game’s momentum. Yasin Wllis ran for 63 yards.
The game turned early in the second quarter with Syracuse trailing 10-3 and driving. Collins hit Cook on a 19-yard pass play to the Duke 39. The Blue Devils were called for targeting, but after a lengthy review, officials ruled Cook fumbled. The ball was recovered by Bradley Gompers and the Blue Devils scored just three plays later on a 34-yard strike from Mensah to Barkate, extending the margin to 17-3. Syracuse never threatened after that.
Things looked promising at the start for Collins as he completed his first pass to Cook for 18 yards, but his next attempt was batted down. Collins completed his third pass to Cook but Duke safety Caleb Weaver intercepted his next attempt and returned it 40 yards, setting up a 22-yard field goal by Todd Pelino.
Syracuse tied the score at 3 on a 29-yard field goal by Tripp Woody, but then it was all Duke, who led 24-3 at the half.
The takeaway
Duke: The Blue Devils could be a surprise contender for the ACC title with Mensah leading the way on offense. Syracuse’s outstanding group of receivers couldn’t get much separation from the Duke secondary.
Syracuse: Collins started out well, but things deteriorated quickly. He seemed locked in on his first receiver, didn’t go through his progressions quickly enough, and fumbled a center snap. Syracuse’s defense didn’t help much, either.
Up next
Duke: Plays at Cal next Saturday.
Syracuse: Travels to SMU next Saturday.