GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: Duke receivers vs. Virginia’s defensive backs.
The Blue Devils have had trouble dealing with Virginia’s secondary the past few seasons. The Cavaliers have applied tight coverages and the receivers haven’t dealt well with that. Virginia has picked off seven Duke passes across the past two seasons. WR T.J. Rahming, who went above 200 career receptions last week, managed just two catches against Virginia last year. This year, Virginia defenders have intercepted eight passes, while Duke quarterbacks have thrown just two pick-offs.
DRAFT SLANT
–LB Joe Giles-Harris is one most acclaimed defenders in recent Duke history. His ability to get to ball carriers is impressive and he’ll be looking to build on a season in which he gained national recognition in 2017. “We know what he can do,” coach David Cutcliffe said. “He can be real physical.” Halfway through the 2018 regular season, Giles-Harris holds a career average of 9.10 tackles per game.
ROSTER REPORT
–RB Brittain Brown missed the Georgia Tech game with an injury. That was the first time the sophomore has missed a game.
–C Zach Harmon returned to action after missing three games with an ankle injury. He didn’t last the entire game, exiting in the third quarter against Georgia Tech and needed three stitches on his forehead. He’s back at regular practice this week.
–DT Edgar Cerenord underwent surgery two days following the Georgia Tech game for a ruptured right Achilles tendon. He has been the only senior on the defensive line.
–LB Koby Quansah suffered a broken bone in his foot in a practice prior to the Georgia Tech game, needing surgery. He’s out indefinitely.
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