Duke football vs. UConn first look: Betting odds, key matchup, player to watch
Having started a season with two wins for the third consecutive season, Duke now aims for a third consecutive 3-0 start.
The Blue Devils attempt to achieve that at home, playing Connecticut at 6 p.m. on Saturday night at Wallace Wade Stadium.
Starting off 3-0 has led to bowl trips in each of the last two seasons. Three wins gets a team halfway to bowl eligibility.
Duke (2-0) enters its game with UConn (1-1) after winning 26-20 in double overtime at Northwestern last Friday night. The Blue Devils overcame nine penalties plus having a punt blocked, losing a fumble on a punt return and kicker Todd Pelino missing a fourth-quarter field goal.
In addition, the Blue Devils have three players hobbled with lower body injuries. Starting middle linebacker Nick Morris was on crutches and did not play at Northwestern. During the game, running back Jaquez Moore left in the first quarter and was wearing a protective boot on his right foot during the second half. Reserve tight end Jeremiah Hasley was carted off the field due to a leg injury suffered while playing special teams.
Still, the Blue Devils pleased their first-year coach, Manny Diaz, with their resiliency.
“I thought that positivity on the sidelines, we just kept focusing,” Diaz said. “We’re big believers. When you call a play, whatever happens, you just move on to the next play. And I thought they epitomized that.”
Key matchup: Duke defense vs. UConn pass game
Duke’s defense has proven capable of causing chaos over the first two weeks of the season. The Blue Devils lead the nation in tackles for losses (27) and are No. 6 in the nation in sacks with eight.
The Blue Devils had all eight of those sacks in their season-opening 26-3 win over Elon. But, though not collecting a sack at Northwestern, Duke limited the passing game once against. The Blue Devils have allowed only 134 passing yards per game over their first two contests.
UConn has yet to allow a sack in its first two games. The Huskies average 284 passing yards per game but have only a 52.5 completion percentage.
Player to watch: RB Star Thomas
With Jaquez Moore’s status uncertain for Saturday’s game due to the right foot injury he suffered at Northwestern, New Mexico State transfer Star Thomas figures to see his workload increase.
Thomas carried 17 times for 58 yards at Northwestern. That’s after he gaining only 23 yards on 13 attempts against Elon.
Duke also uses sophomore running back Peyton Jones in the running game. But Thomas has a bit more experience. He played two seasons at New Mexico State, gaining 635 yards last season and 520 in 2022.
Vegas betting odds
Duke opened as a 16.5-point favorite on Sunday. The over-under total ranged from 46.5 to 48 points.
UConn at Duke
Teams: UConn Huskies (1-1) at Duke Blue Devils (2-0)
Where: Wallace Wade Stadium, Durham
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14
Time: 6 p.m.
TV: ACC Network Extra
Stream: DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, SlingTV
This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 6:00 AM.