By Bret Strelow
bstrelow@salisburypost.com
DURHAM ó Kevin White, Duke’s new director of athletics, approached first-year coach David Cutcliffe but failed to congratulate him first.
Cutcliffe’s youngest daughter, Emily, held a blue balloon as she told her dad, “That was a big win.”
It was for Cutcliffe and his players, especially senior Tielor Robinson.
The Blue Devils, who had lost to Navy in each of the previous four seasons, claimed a 41-31 win at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday.
Robinson, who arrived at Army in 2003 and played two years before transferring to Duke, improved to 1-5 against the Midshipmen in his college career.
“We finally got that Navy monkey off our backs,” Robinson said.
Robinson, in his sixth year of eligibility, rushed for a 2-yard touchdown in the third quarter. Navy (1-2) pulled within 34-31 thanks to Jarod Bryant’s 68-yard touchdown pass with five seconds left in the period, and Thaddeus Lewis’ third TD pass to Eron Riley gave the Blue Devils (2-1) some breathing room.
Riley ran round and round Navy’s confused defense on that 49-yard play, and he finished with eight catches for 137 yards. Lewis went 25 of 35 through the air for 317 yards.
Duke’s defense allowed 207 rushing yards yet came up with critical stops.
The Blue Devils trailed 24-20 at halftime and took the lead for good on Riley’s 5-yard score with 7:17 left in the third quarter.
The Midshipmen, in danger of losing all control, attempted to convert a fourth down from their half of the field on the next series. Michael Tauiliili and Charlie Hatcher stopped Bryant for no gain on a QB keeper from the 38-yard line, and Robinson rushed into the end zone seven plays later.
Navy’s Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, who started at quarterback after missing the first two games with a hamstring strain but didn’t play after halftime because of heat exhaustion, and Bryant had combined to complete all seven of their throws for a total of 141 yards before Adrian Aye-Darko made an interception with 7:15 remaining.
Duke’s next series lasted 12 plays, and Navy regained possession with 24 seconds remaining.
“I’ve watched a lot of Navy football, even some tough losses for them,” Cutcliffe said, “and I haven’t seen anyone stop them as well as our defense.”