Associated Press
DURHAM ó Wacky things always seem to happen when Wake Forest and Duke get together. And those games always seem to end the same way ó with the Demon Deacons on top.
The Blue Devils (3-3, 1-1 ACC) will try to snap an 11-game losing streak to their instate neighbors today when they play host to Wake Forest (4-2, 3-1) in a rivalry that has been dominated by big plays.
“We’ve had some barnburners playing each other since I’ve been at Wake Forest,” coach Jim Grobe said, “and I expect that to continue.”
In their three meetings since David Cutcliffe took over at Duke, the teams have combined for 10 touchdowns that cover at least 30 yards. Last year’s matchup had four TDs of at least 50 yards.
“It’s bizarre the way a lot of the points were scored, particularly against us,” Cutcliffe said. “From a fan perspective, anybody who doesn’t want to go to this game is nuts because you don’t know what you’re going to see.”
This game pairs two of the ACC’s top passing offenses: Duke trails only Florida State and is throwing for 297 yards per game, while the Tanner Price-led Demon Deacons are a fraction of a yard behind the Blue Devils.
Both teams had significant winning streaks snapped last week in lopsided losses at home to the preseason favorites in the ACC’s two divisions: Virginia Tech reeled off 28 straight points to beat Wake Forest 38-17, while Duke was victimized by big plays in a 41-16 loss to Florida State. The Demon Deacons had won four straight before that game while the Blue Devils had three wins in a row.
“It’s a long season. At any time in the season, you’re going to face adversity,” Wake Forest tight end Cameron Ford said. “Coming off a loss, how you respond is going to be a big part of how the rest of your season is.î