Duke Slips Past Northwestern In Double Overtime, 26-20

EVANSTON, Ill. (September 6, 2024) - Cam Porter rushed for 93 yards and a pair of touchdowns as Duke (2-0) rallied late in regulation en route to dealing Northwestern (1-1) a 26-20 setback in double overtime this evening at Northwestern Medicine Field at Maritn Stadium.

Porter averaged 5.8 yards per carry on his way to leading the Wildcat ground attack, while also hauling in three receptions for 27 yards. Mike Wright finished 20-of-36 for 158 yards through the air, 52 of which went to A.J. Henning, who reeled in eight receptions.

Theran Johnson turned in an impressive showing on the defensive side, racking up five tackles and one interception. Robert Fitzerald recovered a fumble, in addition to recording three tackles, while Anto Saka came away with a sack.

How It Happened
Northwestern stepped on the accelerator on its opening drive, with a 44-yard scamper by Porter setting the 'Cats up with 1^st and 10 from the Duke 46-yard line. Olsen went on to drill a 44-yard field goal through the wind that put Northwestern in front, 3-0, with just over three minutes gone.

Duke responded, cashing in off a Northwestern turnover as Maalik Murphy connected with Eli Pancol for a 16-yard touchdown pass to put the visitors on top, 7-3, with 4:50 remaining in the first quarter.

With both offenses struggling to settle into a rhythm, Northwestern took advantage of a special teams miscue to retake the lead midway through the second quarter. With Luke Akers punting from the Blue Devils' 40-yard line, Robert Fitzgerald jumped on a Que'Sean Brown muffed return, setting the 'Cats up with 1^st and 10 from 11 yards out. Following a Duke personal foul that gave Northwestern 1^st and goal from the four-yard line, Porter powered in to give the Wildcats a 10-7 lead they would carry into halftime.

Duke pulled even with eight minutes gone in the third quarter, with Todd Pelino booting through from 49 yards away to knot the game up at 10-10. The Blue Devils were threatening again late in the frame, driving to the Wildcat 39-yard line, where they opted to forge ahead on 4th and 2. A Murphy incompletion saw Northwestern regain possession and go on to mount an 11-play, 43-yard drive, capped off by a 35-yard Olsen boot that put the 'Cats back in front, 13-10, with 11:39 to play in regulation.

The visitors refused to go away quietly, driving into the red zone late in the fourth quarter. Northwestern's defense stood its ground yet again, denying Duke on a 3rd and 1 from the three-yard line. Pelino went on to drill a 22-yard chip shot that sent the game to overtime in a 13-13 deadlock.

Facing 3rd and 3 in the first possession of overtime, Wright linked up with Henning for eight yards to keep the Wildcat drive alive. On the next play, Porter broke free to the outside before diving inside the pylon to again give Northwestern the lead, 20-13. Duke provided an immediate response, as Murphy linked up with Jordan Moore on the first play of the drive to tie it up at 20-20.

The Blue Devils struck quickly again to begin the second overtime when Murphy found Pancol in the end zone from three yards out. Duke failed to convert on the two-point conversion and settled for a 26-20 lead. With the Wildcats facing a must-convert 4th and 9 from the 11-yard line, Wright's pass into the back of the end zone went array as Duke escaped with a 26-20 victory.

Game Notes
» Duke outgained Northwestern by a margin of 342-287.
» Led by Porter's 93 yards, the 'Cats piled up 129 yards on the ground.
» Both teams struggled on third down, combining to go just 7-for-31.
» Xander Mueller and Devin Turner each finished with a team-high 11 tackles apiece.
» Devin Turner recorded eight solo tackles, while Mueller tallied four.
» Murphy led the Blue Devils passing attack, completing 24 of his 39 attempts for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
» Moore was Duke's leading receiver with 121 yards and one touchdown.

Up Next
Northwestern closes out a season-opening three-game homestand at Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium on Saturday, September 14 when it hosts Eastern Illinois in a 6:30 p.m. kickoff that will be televised on BTN.

Duke Slips Past Northwestern In Double Overtime, 26-20

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Team Stats

Mike Wright

Players Mentioned

Luke Akers

Robert Fitzgerald

A.J. Henning

Theran Johnson

Xander Mueller

Cam Porter

Anto Saka

Devin Turner

Mike Wright

Northwestern University Athletics