Duke Falls to Florida State 41-16

Saturday, October 15

Durham, N.C.

3:00 PM

Duke University

Florida State

Duke Falls to Florida State 41-16

10/15/2011 6:30:00 PM | Football

By: Duke Sports Information

DURHAM, N.C. - Florida State's E.J. Manuel threw for 239 yards and two touchdowns and the Seminole offense totaled 481 yards as FSU handed Duke a 41-16 loss in front of 24,687 fans at Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday afternoon.

Duke scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but the Blue Devils could not overcome a 34-3 Florida State lead following the end of the third. Quarterback Sean Renfree completed 26 passes for 226 yards and a touchdown, while receiver Conner Vernon caught six passes for 88 yards to move into a tie for fourth place on the Duke career receptions list with 168. Running back Desmond Scott led the Blue Devils on the ground with 66 yards as Duke totaled 289 yards of offense for the game.

FSU's Everett Dawkins picked off a deflected Renfree pass at the Duke 25-yard line to set up a 27-yard field goal for the Seminoles to open the first quarter. The Blue Devils responded with a six-play, 40-yard drive on their next possession to tie the game at three-all with 8:24 to go in the opening quarter. Scott broke off a 34-yard rush, his longest of the season, to move the ball to the FSU 26 and set up the Will Snyderwine field goal.

However, Florida State would control the rest of the first half, outscoring Duke 24-0 the rest of the stanza. The Seminoles needed just two plays on their next possession to reach the end zone as Manual hit receiver Christian Green for a 59-yard gain, setting up the FSU quarterback's one-yard touchdown run.

Two more Seminole touchdowns and a 48-yard field goal as time expired in the second quarter gave FSU the 24-point advantage heading into halftime. The first half belonged entirely to the Seminoles as Florida State outgained the Blue Devils 301-110.

The Seminoles' opening drive of the second half resulted in FSU's fourth touchdown of the game as Florida State covered 52 yards in nine plays to take a 34-3 lead.

The Duke offense found a rhythm at the end of the third quarter, driving to the Florida State one-yard line. Under pressure, Renfree found Vernon down the right side for a 17-yard reception that ultimately set up running back Juwan Thompson's one-yard touchdown run, his team-leading fifth of the season.

The Blue Devils followed the scoring drive with an on-side kick, recovering the ball at the FSU 45. Facing fourth-and-sixth, Renfree again connected with Vernon, this time for a 19-yard gain. Tight end Cooper Helfet's five-yard reception gave Duke its second touchdown of the quarter, but the Blue Devils' two-point conversion attempt fell incomplete. Helfet finished the day with six receptions for 50 yards and his second touchdown grab in as many games.

Up 34-16, Florida State recovered the ensuing on-side kick and used five plays to find the end zone. A six-yard run by Manual capped the drive and gave FSU its final margin of victory, 41-16.

Safety Matt Daniels recorded a career-high 14 tackles in the game, followed by safety Walt Canty and linebacker Kelby Brown with 10 tackles each.

Duke returns to action next weekend, playing host to Wake Forest on Saturday, Oct. 22 in the second of three consecutive home games. Game time against the Demon Deacons will be announced Sunday, Oct. 16.

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