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The Devils’ couldn’t move the ball while gaining just 139 total yards but the Duke defense had its own big problem in this one. Even when the Devils had the Hokies on the run, the Hokies made plays. That happened on Glennon’s 60-yard toss on the first play of the game. Duke defensive end Casey Camero chased Glennon one way, just missed him, then chased him the other before Glennon got the pass off.

With 39 seconds left in the first quarter, Hokie punt returner Eddie Royal took a kick in the first quarter and saw that he was shut down going to the left side. Royal reversed field and beat the Duke coverage down the right side for a 58-yard return touchdown.

“We were almost there and we’ve got them wrapped up and we’ve got them in our reach, and we don’t make the play,” Duke linebacker Michael Tauiliili said. “Those are the things that determine a game. Any time you have an opportunity, you’ve got to take it and seize the moment. If you let opportunities like that slip, sooner or later it’s going to pass you by.”

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GOING DEEP WITH DUKE

The N&O is taking a different approach to covering Duke football in 2006. Read weekly theme stories about a beleaguered program working to evolve and improve. Dip into ACC Now blog updates during the week and pre- and post-game analysis and stories on the weekend.

WEEK 3: Virginia Tech 36, Duke 0

WHAT HAPPENED

Duke’s 36-0 loss to No. 14 Virginia Tech started badly when Hokie receiver David Clowney hauled in a 60-yard reception on the first play of the ACC game at Lane Stadium. Then it got worse when Duke starting quarterback Thaddeus Lewis was forced out of the game with a concussion.

Asked what hurt most after the Hokies sacked Lewis and replacement Marcus Jones eight times, Jones said, “Our pride.”

Hokie quarterback Sean Glennon was well on his way to ripping through the Duke secondary for 301 yards and two touchdowns when Virginia Tech (3-0, 2-0 ACC) led 13-0 in the first quarter.

With 9:52 left in the second quarter, Lewis threw a quick pass to tight end Nick Stefanow. Then Virginia Tech safety Aaron Rouse, who was two steps away when Lewis released the ball, did not stop and laid down a late, helmet-to-helmet hit that caught Lewis under the chin.

It was Rouse’s second roughing the passer call in the game. Duke coach Ted Roof said Rouse apologized after the game and that Lewis would be fine.

Lewis was walking on the Duke sideline in street clothes at game’s end. Jones replaced Lewis but the Devils still couldn’t move the ball and gained just 139 yards total.

Duke (0-3, 0-2) has a bye on Sept. 23. The Devils host Virginia on Sept. 30.

BATTLES WON

Eight punts, no blocks: The Hokies, who had blocked two punts in their first two games, kept trying to score the big play. Duke punter Alex Feinberg held fast and got off all of his punts. Feinberg averaged 42.1 yards per punt and put one down inside the Hokies’ 20.

BATTLES LOST

Shutting down airspace: Duke corner John Talley intercepted a possible touchdown in the second quarter but Duke’s secondary gave up 316 yards total. Clowney beat Deonto McCormick for 60 yards and Talley missed a tackle that turned into a 41-yard gain for Eddie Royal. Both led to touchdowns. The Devils pressured Glennon often but Glennon hung in and his receivers tacked on plenty of yardage after the catch.

Healthy quarterback: The Hokies weren’t playing patty-cake out there. Lewis was shaken up on the first play of the game and saw three roughing the passer penalties called on the Hokies before he was knocked out for good.

COACHSPEAK

Duke coach Ted Roof on Rouse’s hit on Lewis — “ It’s an unfortunate part of the game. It was a shame that he got knocked out, but sometimes that happens in football. ... That’s not why we lost the football game.”

Roof on whether he would press the issue with the ACC — “I don’t want to go there. I just want to go back to work. We’ve got to find a way to protect him better.”

Virginia Tech coach Frank Beamer on Rouse’s hit — “I hate that, you know ... And Aaron, I don’t think he meant to do that. ... He’s apologetic. It’s one of those things, if you’re going to take two steps, you’ve got to pull off. ... They’ve got a couple of athletic quarterbacks there [at Duke] and they’re doing the right things.”

BIRDS’ EYE VIEW

Virginia Tech safety Aaron Rouse on his hit on Lewis —“I felt like he was going to run the ball. He started running toward me and I ran toward him and he just let it go. Once I was committed it was tough to pull off.”

Duke quarterback Marcus Jones on how physical the game was — “They are a fast team. I’m lucky to come out in one piece. ... The roughing of the passer, the late hits, they were coming for us. ... I knew they would be coming for me too. So I was ready to go. ”

WEEK 3 GOAL IN REVIEW

The Devils held the Hokies to 102 yards rushing but failed to move the ball themselves. The Hokies were the second team to shut out Duke this season. It’s the first time since 1990 Duke has been shut out twice in a season.

Progress? The backwards kind.

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