Durham, NC (Sports Network) - Conner Vernon caught 10 passes for 180 yards as
the Duke Blue Devils routed the FIU Panthers 46-26 in the season opener at
Wallace Wade Stadium.
With his performance Vernon became the all-time leader in career receptions
with 208 at Duke (1-0). Jamison Crowder also had a good game catching the
football grabbing six passes for 102 yards including a touchdown. Crowder and
Vernon combined for 16 of the teams 23 receptions. Sean Renfree threw for 290
yards and a pair of touchdowns on 21-of-30 passing as well for the Blue
Devils. Josh Snead led the way on the ground with 47 yards and a touchdown on
seven carries.
Jake Medlock threw for 348 yards while completing 27-of-45 passes including a
pair of touchdown strikes for FIU (0-1). Kedrick Rhodes had a very impressive
night for the Panthers compiling 245 total yards while recording a touchdown
rushing and receiving. Rhodes is coming off a season in which he set the
school record for rushing yards in a season (1,149).
Just two plays into the game, FIU was already ahead 7-0 after a 67-yard
touchdown pass from Medlock to Rhodes. It would take Duke just three
minutes to respond capping off a 10-play, 46-yard drive with a two-yard
rushing touchdown by Brandon Connette.
FIU's Jack Griffin missed a 45-yard field goal to set up a short field for
Duke's next possession. The Blue Devils took full advantage when Connette
completed an eight-yard touchdown pass to David Reeves just four seconds into
the second quarter. The ensuing two-point conversion attempt failed putting
the Blue Devils' lead at 13-7.
The Blue Devils struck again less than two minutes later capping off a three-
play 77-yard drive with a 19-yard rushing touchdown from Snead. The drive
was highlighted by a 49-yard reception from Vernon. After the extra point
Duke led 20-7.
Darian Mallary helped FIU cut into Duke's lead with a 10-yard rush for a
touchdown with 5:05 left in the first half bringing the Panthers to within six
(20-14).
Duke didn't wait long to answer with Renfree hooking up with Jamison Crowder
for a 60-yard touchdown pass that extended Duke's advantage to 27-14. That
lead continued to grow thanks to strong special teams play. First Martin
knocked in a 34-yard field goal. Then a little over two minutes later Duke
blocked a 30-yard field goal attempt by Griffin which Ross Cockrell returned
for a touchdown as time expired in the half.
Duke led 37-14 at the break after outscoring FIU 30-7 in the second quarter.
Just over four minutes into the third quarter Vernon scored again, this time
on a 28-yard reception from Renfree on fourth down, as Duke took a 44-14 lead.
FIU finally ended Duke's scoring run with a one-yard touchdown plunge from
Rhodes with 1:19 left in regulation. The Panthers then attempted a two-point
conversion but Medlock was intercepted by Kyler Brown who returned it 98
yards to the end zone making the score 46-20.
The Panthers then recovered an onside kick on the ensuing kickoff
After recovering an onside kick, FIU drove 50 yards in 50 seconds highlighted
by a 31-yard touchdown pass from Medlock to Fred Porter. The score moved to
46-26 as the Panthers failed to convert a two-point conversion attempt yet
again.
FIU lost despite collecting 29 first downs to just 16 by Duke and out-gaining
the Blue Devils 513-420 in total yards of offense.
GAME NOTES:
The Sports Network