Duke Blue Devils open with big win over NCCU Eagles

DURHAM, North Carolina -- Duke had newly renovated Wallace Wade Stadium ready for the 2016 season opener. The Blue Devils had starting quarterback Daniel Jones ready. The defense was ready.

For Duke, the “Bull City Gridiron Classic” against N.C. Central again was a chance to get a good look at a lot of players while scoring an easy win. The Blue Devils did that, rolling 49-6 on Saturday in a game where Duke had some blemishes — a few too many fumbles, a botched punt — but nothing serious.

Jones, a redshirt freshman from Charlotte, was highly efficient in his first collegiate game, competing 10 of 15 passes for 189 yards and two scores and running for a third. Showing good touch on his throws, he teamed up with receiver Johnathan Lloyd on a 55-yard catch-and-run and hit tight end Erich Schneider for a 20-yard TD.

Running back Jela Duncan had a 50-yard scoring burst and later added a 3-yard TD run in a 115-yard rushing night, and quarterback Parker Boheme passed and ran for a TD late in the first half as the Blue Devils took a 49-0 lead.

CONTINUE READING