DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — Chandler Morris passed for 316 yards and two touchdowns, J'Marie Taylor rushed for 133 yards and two scores on 18 carries and No. 20 Virginia kept its conference title hopes alive with a 34-17 win over Duke on Saturday.
Morris, who left last week loss to Wake Forest the Cavaliers went 23 of 35 after the head kick, gaining a total of 540 yards. He also threw two interceptions, including one when Duke linebacker Tre Freeman returned the ball 18 yards for a touchdown.
Advertising
Trell Harris paced Virginia (9-2, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) with eight catches for 161 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown, to make it 20-3 in the third quarter.
Duke reached the Virginia 8-yard line on its next possession, but Darian Mensah was sacked by Mitchell Melton on fourth down. Three players later, Taylor rushed 78 yards to put the game out of reach.
Mensah finished with 213 yards and one touchdown on 18 of 35 passing as Duke (5-5, 4-2) lost its second straight.
Virginia got off to a fast start, marching 75 yards on 14 plays on the game's opening drive and scoring on Taylor's 3-yard run. Duke went the entire first quarter without a first down, gaining just 16 yards.
Advertising
Todd Pelino's 49-yard field goal put the Blue Devils on the scoreboard with 5:33 left in the second quarter. But the Cavaliers scored twice more before halftime, including a 12-yard pass from Morris to Sage Ennis, extending the lead to 17-3.
Takeaway
Virginia: The Cavaliers remain in the lead for a spot in the ACC title game, although tiebreakers could keep things interesting.
Duke: The Blue Devils have lost two straight after a rare win over Clemson and still need one more win to become bowl eligible.
Next
Virginia: Finishes the regular season by hosting Virginia Tech in the Commonwealth game on Nov. 29.
Duke: Visiting North Carolina next Saturday for Victory Bell.
___
American Football AP: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll And https://apnews.com/hub/college-football
