DURHAM - Propped on crutches, left knee still mending, Duke running back Re'quan Boyette couldn't help but hurt Saturday as his team warmed up for its season-opener without him.

That is, until he watched friend and teammate Clifford Harris rush for a career-high 95 yards and the Blue Devils win their first season-opener since 2002.

"His performance, the whole team's performance, I just keep saying, 'That was my Tylenol,' " Boyette said, grinning.

Fittingly, Harris dedicated his pain-relieving performance to Boyette, who became his freshman year roommate by chance and best friend by choice. They didn't say much to each other their first three days in the dorm, but since then, "we haven't stopped talking."

They have lived together for four years, pushing each other on the field while supporting each other off it.

"We complement each other," Boyette said. "I'm more of a speed back, he's more of a power back, so I can learn a lot from him, he can learn a lot from me."

Indeed, Harris -- who has played fullback and emergency quarterback for the Blue Devils (1-0) in the past -- said he became a better rusher by watching how his friend reads defenses, hits holes in the line, and leads.

The 5-foot-10, 220-pound senior worked hard in the offseason to shed 20 pounds and was expected to be Boyette's backup until Boyette injured his knee during training camp.

Harris finally got his chance, but he hated that it came at the expense of a guy he considers a brother.

"I was kind of emotional, because it really hit close to home," Harris said. "He is like my best friend, and when he got hurt, I just felt for him because it's his senior year. But I also knew I had a bigger role on the team as well, and I had to step up and fill his shoes."

Some might have questioned whether he'd be able to actually fit those shoes, but not Boyette. After getting "emotional" before the game against James Madison, he replaced his tears with a smile -- cheering on his friend and backup tailbacks Jay Hollingsworth (15 carries, 46 yards), and Tony Jackson (nine carries, 31 yards) as they combined for 212 rushing yards.

After averaging just 64 yards per game last season, Duke produced its best performance on the ground since 2006.

"I think we proved that the running game is actually coming back," Harris said.

Although with Northwestern (1-0) up next on Saturday, "we have got to run the ball not as well, but better this week," coach David Cutcliffe insisted.

Boyette, who continues to rehabilitate his knee, will be on the sideline again, cheering his roommate and team as the Blue Devils try to start a season 2-0 for the first time since 1998, win consecutive home games for the first time since 1997 and win back-to-back contests for the first time since 2003.

Although he is out "indefinitely," Boyette's goal is to return to the field this season, where he hopes he and Harris can dole out some headaches together.

And then serve as the Tylenol for all the Duke fans hoping for a better season.

"The things he can do, it will open up things for me, and the things I do will open up things for him," said 5-foot-10, 200-pound Boyette. "... The reason I was so emotional [Saturday] is because I love my teammates and I love being out there with them, trying to win. That's one of the reasons I miss being out there so much."

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