Duke rallies for dramatic win over North Carolina.

21-0 run leads to 21-20 Devils win

I had a feeling a dominant running back might decide Saturday’s Duke-North Carolina game.

I just didn’t know he would be wearing Duke blue.

Duke fell into a 20-0 second-half hole against the visiting Tar Heels but rode Star Thomas’ legs and some timely passes by Maalik Murphy to a stunning 21-20 victory.

Thomas ended the game with 166 rushing yards, on 30 carries, while adding 45 yards on two receptions.

Meanwhile Duke held UNC star Omarion Hampton to 103 yards on 29 carries, although he did pick up 50 more on four catches.

“That back’s an NFL guy,” Diaz said of Hampton, “He’s a threat to go anytime. I do think we made him earn the majority of his yards.”

Hampton averaged 3.6 yards per carry. He came into the game averaging 6.5 per carry.

At halftime of the game I had a whole bunch of stuff written.  

Not going to use much of it. But Duke’s offense and special teams weren’t very good in that opening 30 minutes. Not much question about that.

And then they were.

Before I leave the first-half behind I would note that wide receiver Eli Pancol said Duke was a little nervous.  

Could you tell? I counted at least four dropped passes, from four different receivers, two on third-down plays that would have moved the chains with a catch. Maalik Murphy was all over the place with his cannon arm shooting blanks. Usually reliable Todd Pelino clanked a field goal from 47 yards out with Duke down 17-0 and desperately needing points to gain some momentum.

Hampton was doing his thing, Duke’s offense was stuck in neutral, with  Pelino’s missed field goal punctuating a dismal first half.

It was 17-0 at intermission.

Manny Diaz said that Duke was missing its layups.

Diaz’s message to his team at intermission?

“I’m in awe of our guys. Couldn’t be more proud of what we did. We talked about it at halftime, that we had a chance to do something legendary, that would require all of our belief in ourselves and in each other.

“We challenged our offensive line and our defensive line at halftime to take over the game and I thought without a shadow of doubt that’s what happened.”

“They played their best ball in the first half,” Thomas said. “Let’s show we can come out, run one play at a time, stay locked in and take advantage of the opportunities.”