Notre Dame turns back Duke in historic first ACC game
It was a slightly surreal scene Saturday as Duke and Notre Dame opened the 2020 football season.
There was an ACC logo on the field at Notre Dame Stadium. That was new and different. And in the year of the pandemic, of the need for social distancing, there were a surprising number of fans bunched in the stands.
Duke coach David Cutcliffe said before the game that the Blue Devils would be making history as the Irish played the first conference game after 133 years as a football independent. This year, for the first time, Notre Dame is competing for an ACC title.
The 10th-ranked Irish got the ACC victory and took their first step, turning back the Blue Devils 27-13.
“Six months ago we had no idea if we were going to be back in the stadium playing, so it was definitely a blessing,” Irish running back Kyren Williams said.
Williams, a 5-9 sophomore, rushed for 112 yards on 19 carries and two touchdowns His second came a 26-yard fourth-down play in the third quarter that pushed Notre Dame ahead 17-6.
Quarterback Ian Book, not sharp early but efficient enough this overcast day, hit Avery Davis for a 17-yard score in the fourth quarter for a 24-13 lead. Book closed with 263 yards passing on a 19-for-31 day.
There was a different look for the Blue Devils on offense. Chase Brice, the transfer from Clemson, was making his first start at quarterback. A masked Cutcliffe also was calling the plays as offensive coordinator, taking over those duties this season.
Brice, starting for the first time since his high school days in Georgia, finished 20 of 37 passing for 259 yards. Brice did have a late lost fumble, but did enough good things for the Blue Devils in a challenging opener.
“He played better and better as the game went on,” Cutcliffe said.
Brice’s 2-yard scoring run late in the third quarter gave the Blue Devils their first touchdown of the season, pulling the Blue Devils within 17-13. His 19-yard pass to right end Noah Gray pushed the ball to the Notre Dame 10 and Brice scored on third down, but the Irish responded with an 83-yard scoring drive.
A 14-yard run by sophomore punter Jay Bramblett on a fake punt early in the second quarter gave the Irish some needed adrenaline -- Bramblett, a former high school quarterback, looking like he was scrambling out the pocket. Jonathan Doerer also did his part with two field goals, ending the first half with a 48-yarder for a 10-6 lead.
Charlie Ham had field goals of 29 and 30 yards in the first half for Duke, which had plenty of yards in the half but twice sputtered inside the Notre Dame 10.
“They made more plays than we did,” Cutcliffe said.
The Irish ripped Duke 38-7 last season in Durham as Book passed for four scores and consistently hurt the Devils with scrambles and runs, rushing for 139 yards.
The Irish, 11-2 last season, had a sluggish start Saturday. Little was going right for Notre Dame until the fake punt early in the second quarter gave the Irish some life. Book, more in rhythm, passed for 17 and 20 yards in a scoring drive that ended with Williams busting in on a short run.
Duke, coming off a 5-7 season, showed early energy and aggressiveness. The Blue Devils had a 3-0 lead after the first quarter — Ham with the 29-yard field goal — as the Irish had three-and-out series on their first three possessions.
Duke twice had first-and-goal in the opening half but couldn’t punch the ball in. Brice twice was hurried on third-down plays and was sacked for a 10-yard loss on the second opportunity that ended with Ham kicking a 30-yard field goal with 3:20 left in the half.
“That’s a very talented team and we’ve got to score touchdowns when we get the chance,” Cutcliffe said.
A poor pass by Book that Duke safety Lummie Young IV picked off in the end zone ended one Irish drive. But Book push the Irish down the field in the final minute of the first half as Doerer nailed the 48-yard field goal.
The Blue Devils will play their first home game Saturday against Boston College. Duke was to have an open date after the BC game but the ACC has scheduled the Duke-Virginia game for Sept. 26.
It should be that kind of season — ever-changing, historic.
This story was originally published September 12, 2020 at 5:59 PM.
