SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 6, 2012
Duke 42, Virginia 17: Anthony Boone tossed four touchdown passes in his first start - including two to Conner Vernon - as the host Blue Devils rode a dominating second half en route to their fourth straight victory.
Vernon set the ACC career receptions record with his 233rd catch in the first quarter. The senior, who finished with seven receptions for 93 yards, reeled in a 37-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter and split a pair of defenders for a 45-yard score early in the fourth.
Jamison Crowder reeled in a short pass and scampered 54 yards for a touchdown and Juwan Thompson added a 12-yard score for Duke (5-1, 2-0 ACC).
The Blue Devils' defense denied the Cavaliers (2-4, 0-2) on a 4th-and-1 on the ensuing possession and Jela Duncan gave Duke a 28-17 advantage after rumbling up the middle for an 11-yard touchdown.
Kevin Parks secured his third touchdown of the season with a 7-yard score on Virginia's first drive. Perry Jones jumped into the end zone from 1 yard out to tie the score at 14-14.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Vernon moved past Clemson's Aaron Kelly for the ACC record, although the milestone catch resulted in a two-yard loss. His second catch produced a touchdown as he outjumped a defender to give Duke a 14-7 lead. ... Alabama transfer Phillip Sims made his first start for Virginia and completed 21 of 42 passes for 267 yards and two interceptions. ... Rather than run the clock out deep in its own territory, Virginia made the most of the remaining 26 seconds. The Cavaliers executed three plays before Drew Jarrett kicked a 39-yard field goal to give Virginia a 17-14 lead at the half.