Maalik Murphy threw two touchdown passes and ran for a go-ahead touchdown to help Duke beat NC State 29-19 on Saturday night.
The Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) allowed only one touchdown, forced two turnovers, and got two long field goals from Todd Pelino to spoil NC State’s home finale.
“It was a complete performance in all three phases, which it needed to be to win in an environment like this,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said.
Jordan Moore caught a 45-yard touchdown late in the first quarter to give Duke a 12-0 lead, and Sahmir Hagans caught a 9-yard touchdown early in the fourth to put Duke ahead 26-12. Murphy also ran for a 3-yard touchdown, his first career rushing score, to make it 19-12 with 4:37 left in the third quarter.
Pelino made a 50-yard field goal in the first quarter and then kicked a crucial 49-yard field goal with 2:12 left in the game to give Duke a two-possession lead.
But the night was mostly about Duke’s defense, which set the tone early. On NC State’s second offensive play, the defense sacked Wolfpack quarterback CJ Bailey in the end zone for a safety.
Duke also forced a fumble from Bailey on the next possession and got an interception from Terry Moore in the fourth quarter. Bailey’s pass for Justin Joly bounced off Joly’s hands and into Moore’s, leading to Hagans’ touchdown.
Bailey threw for 184 yards and connected with Wesley Grimes for a 16-yard touchdown. Grimes made a sliding catch on fourth down to make it 26-19 with 9:01 left.
But NC State (5-5, 2-4) had to settle for four field goals by Kanoah Vinesett and finished with just 268 total yards.
“We were able to get down there (in the red zone) quite a bit,” NC State coach Dave Doeren said. “But you’ve got to finish.”
