More Friday night college football. How to watch Duke football game at Northwestern
With a new coaching staff, Duke’s offensive scheme this season is designed to run more plays with an eye on wearing down defenses.
The tempo game plan offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer brought to Duke from Southern Methodist found success when the Blue Devils beat Elon, 26-3, last Friday night. That plan will be challenged further when the Blue Devils play at Northwestern at 9 p.m. Friday.
In defeating Elon, Duke ran 67 offensive plays from scrimmage. Last season, while going 8-5 under previous head coach Mike Elko, the Blue Devils averaged 61.9 plays per game in offensive coordinator Kevin Johns’ system. So, the goal of more plays was achieved.
The Blue Devils were No. 11 in the ACC with 348.1 yards of total offense per game last season, averaging 5.62 yards per play. Against Elon, from the Football Championship Subdivision, Duke gained 350 yards and averaged 5.22 yards per play last Friday night.
So, that part of it is a wash.
Brewer and Duke head coach Manny Diaz both said the Blue Devils were in position to get more big plays. But quarterback Maalik Murphy and his receivers just missed on some downfield throws.
“You could see our desire to push the ball down the field,” Diaz said. “We showed our guys (on video). There’s probably just a matter of inches separating us from an extraordinary amount of explosive plays. But that is our identity. That’s who we want to be. We want to be able to take those shots and make those shots.”
As for the tempo offense, Duke’s players are confident it’s the right approach.
“Coach Brewer has been preaching tempo ever since he got here,” Duke senior wide receiver Jordan Moore said. “You can see it firsthand how tired people are out there when we’re going so fast. Sometimes they’re not even lined up and I think that plays to our advantage.”
Kickoff time + TV channel for Duke at Northwestern
The game is scheduled to kickoff at 9 p.m. Friday on FS1, which is available on major cable and satellite services, like Spectrum, Xfinity, DirecTV and Dish Network.
Streaming options for Blue Devils-Wildcats matchup
Options for watching the game without cable or satellite subscriptions include DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV.
Betting odds
Northwestern is favored by 2.5 or three points with the over-under ranging from 36.5 to 37 points.
Elon at Duke game and TV info
Teams: Duke Blue Devils (1-0) vs Northwestern Wildcats (1-0)
Where: Martin Stadium, Evanston, Illinois
Date: Friday, Sept. 6
Time: 9 p.m.
TV: FS1
Stream: DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, SlingTV
Series history: This will be the 24th football game between Duke and Northwestern, with the Blue Devils leading the series, 13-10. Duke has won five in a row over the Wildcats, including wins in each of the last three seasons.
Pregame reading
Duke starts Diaz era with a win: Three takeaways from Blue Devils’ victory over Elon
Duke adds new wrinkle to its football depth chart: What in the world is a ‘vyper’?
Duke football, under new head coach Manny Diaz, decides on its starting quarterback
Duke TE Nicky Dalmolin said goodbye to football, but he’s back. Why he changed his mind