CHARLOTTESVILLE, V.A. — Duke football got back in the win column, taking down Virginia 19-16 on Friday, Oct. 23 at Scott Stadium.
A Patrick Smith-Young interception sealed the win for the Blue Devils (5-2, 2-2 ACC), which took the lead with 1:14 left behind a double-trick play. It marks the first time in the last three weeks Duke took a late lead and held on.
The Blue Devils are back in action at home against Boston College on Saturday, Oct. 31.
Here's our report card for the Blue Devils in their loss to the Cavaliers:
Offense grade: B
Duke opened the game with exactly what it needed: a quick touchdown drive. The Blue Devils broke into Virginia territory three plays into the game off a 35-yard pass from Walker Eget to Jonah Burton and Nate Sheppard punched in the 32-yard run on the next play.
Eget's hand collided with the helmet of a Virginia defender on the 35-yard pass, though, and he did not reenter the game in the first half. Dan Mahan entered in his place, and Duke's offense sputtered with four straight punts to close the half.
Eget reentered in the second half, and Duke took the late lead after a trick play where Nate Sheppard found Brody Keefe in the end zone. It was enough for victory.
Defense grade: A
Duke's defense got out to a hot start and forced back-to-back punts on the Cavaliers' first two drives. Virginia went on to score 10 straight before Duke could come up with another stop, but the Blue Devils did force two red-zone field goals in the first half.
The Blue Devils defense was able to do something it hasn't done the last two weeks: come up with a stop after Duke took a late lead. That is thanks to Patrick Smith-Young's fourth quarter interception.
Special teams grade: A
Kade Reynoldson punted the ball a season-high six times, averaging 42.2 yards per punt. Reynoldson was wearing a brace on his left leg and was limping and struggling to bear weight on it. Gavin Strange made his PAT attempt and hit two 39-yard field goals.
KD Cotton handled punt return duties for Duke and finished two returns for 49 yards. He avoided what would have been a start at the Blue Devils' own 7-yard line on his first return of the game thanks to a 15-yard penalty that moved the Blue Devils up to the 22. CJ Campbell had a nice kickoff return to open the second half, too, going 33 yards.
Coaching grade: A
Manny Diaz preached Duke doing simple well after its last two losses, and the Blue Devils were able to do enough simple well against the Cavaliers to come out on top. Penalties appeared they were going to be an issue early with Duke's defense up to three for 42 yards in the second quarter. The Blue Devils ended the game with four penalties for 47 yards.
Game MVP: Patrick Smith-Young
Patrick Smith-Young had the game-sealing interception for Duke. He finished the day with eight total tackles.
Overall team grade: A
Duke got its first win in October and snapped its winless streak dating back to its idle week. It wasn't always pretty, but the Blue Devils found a way to get it done.
Anna Snyder covers Duke for The Fayetteville Observer as part of the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at asnyder@usatodayco.com or follow her @annaesnydr on X.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Duke football report card: Grading Blue Devils after win vs Virginia