GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: LB Cole Holcomb will have a key role in slowing Duke RB Deon Jackson, who has been on a tear as of late. Holcomb is coming off a 22-tackle performance against Georgia Tech but will be going against an opponent that runs a more conventional offense than Tech’s triple-option game. The Blue Devils rushed for 146 yards on a sloppy field in their win at Miami with Jackson accounting for 113 of that. But 75 came on the opening play from scrimmage. Jackson has rushed for 390 yards while starting Duke’s last four games.
DRAFT SLANT
–DE Malik Carney did his part in the loss to Georgia Tech. He was credited with 10 tackles with 1.5 for loss while also forcing a fumble that he recovered and returned 20 yards for the game’s first touchdown. Carney has missed three games because of a suspension for his involvement in the selling of school-issued shoes but is tied for third with S Myles Dorn with 39 stops. He is the team leader in sacks with 5.5.
ROSTER REPORT:
–QB Jace Ruder, a true freshman, made his collegiate debut in relief of starter Nathan Elliott and was 4-of-5 passing for 80 yards before leaving the game with an apparent injury to his left (non-throwing) arm. His last completion was a 9-yard pass for a touchdown. Coach Larry Fedora said Ruder is not listed as “out” for the season. He does not comment on injuries on a week-to-week basis.
–Senior walk-on Manny Miles, along with WR Anthony Ratliff-Williams, look to be backups behind Elliott if Ruder is not available. QBs Cade Fortin and Chazz Surratt are out with injuries.
–DT Aaron Crawford continues to rehab from an undisclosed injury, coach Larry Fedora said. Crawford was expected to be a major factor as a run-stopper on defense. “We came out of spring ball extremely high on Aaron and came out of fall camp we feel even stronger about the camp he had,” the coach said. “For him to have played 8-to-10 plays this season has been extremely frustrating, not only for me but for him and his teammates because they know what kind of player he is.”
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