Field Level Media
Oct 31, 2020
Running backs Deon Jackson and Mataeo Durant each ran for two touchdowns as Duke topped visiting Charlotte 53-19 on Saturday night at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, N.C.
Isaiah Fisher-Smith of Duke blocked punts in the first and third quarters, setting up scores for the Blue Devils (2-5) in their lone nonconference game of the season.
Durant rushed for 104 yards on 12 carries and Jackson posted 101 yards on 10 attempts, while teammate Jordan Waters had 78 yards on five carries with a touchdown. Quarterback Chase Brice was 8-for-14 for 106 yards and a touchdown.
Charlotte quarterback Chris Reynolds was 18-for-34 for 171 yards and a touchdown.
The 49ers (2-3) had touchdown scoring drives of 17 and 15 plays.
Jackson's 65-yard touchdown run came on the second snap of the game. Durant's 3-yard run stretched Duke's advantage in the first quarter.
The Blue Devils' second touchdown came after Fisher-Smith blocked a punt for the second game in a row, meaning that the Blue Devils needed to go only 31 yards for the score.
Charlie Ham's 32-yard field game made it 17-0 less than 13 minutes into the game as the Blue Devils were on their way to their first home victory in three outings this season. Durant's second touchdown run came from 10 yards out.
Trailing 17-0, Charlotte kicker Jonathan Cruz missed on a 45-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter.
Fisher-Smith's third-quarter blocked punt and recovery led to Jackson's 5-yard touchdown run on the next play. Brice's touchdown throw went for 8 yards to Jalon Calhoun late in the third quarter.
49ers redshirt senior safety Ben DeLuca made six tackles to tie the career school record with 306.
This matchup was on original 2020 schedules, though moved from September when summer revisions were made due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Charlotte was playing in the first of three consecutive road games after winning its home opener against North Texas a week earlier. The 49ers dropped to 0-3 all-time against Atlantic Coast Conference foes, falling at Louisville in 2016 and at Clemson last season.
--Field Level Media