Elon, N.C. – The Elon University defense held Duke to just one field goal over the first 29 minutes of action Friday night, but the Blue Devils pulled away in the second half for a 26-3 victory. The game was seen nationally on the ACC Network. With the win, Duke improves to 1-0, while Elon falls to 0-1 on the season.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED:

• Elon received the ball to start the game but went 3-and-out. After a 58-yard Jeff Yurk punt, Duke drove down the field and connected on a 32-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead.
• The score remained the same until Duke took over possession late in the first half. The Blue Devils used a three-play drive to get into the end zone for a 10-0 halftime lead.
• Duke opened the third quarter with a drive that resulted in a field goal and then later scored a touchdown for a 19-0 lead heading into the fourth.
• The Blue Devils added another touchdown for a 26-0 lead but Jack Berkowitz connected on a 39-yard field goal with 14 seconds remaining for the 26-3 final.

 
STATS AND NOTES:

• Left guard Brayden Walker, tight end Davis LeDoyen and running back TJ Thomas Jr. all earned their first career starts on the offensive side of the ball.
• Spur Ishmel Atkins and cornerback DJ Hamilton earned their first career starts on the defensive side of the ball. Safety Khalil Baker picked up his first start at Elon.
• Cazeem Moore forced a first quarter fumble that was recovered by Duke on its own 8-yard line. It was his second career forced fumble.
• Caleb Curtain's fourth quarter interception was his second against a Power Four opponent in two seasons. He had a pick-six against Wake Forest a year ago.
• Along with his interception, Curtain had a team-high three pass break-ups.
• Rushawn Baker led Elon with 36 yards rushing on 10 carries.
• Chandler Brayboy had a team-high six receptions. Eight different players caught at least one pass.
• Elon did not have a turnover and finished +1 for the game in turnover margin. The Phoenix has thrown just 15 interceptions since the start of the 2021 season, the fewest in FCS Football. Elon now has a streak of 21 straight games with two turnovers or fewer.
• Elon held Duke to just 59 yards rushing. That is the Blue Devils' fewest yards rushing against a non-conference opponent since being held to 30 against Stanford in 2011. It was Duke's fewest rushing yards in a game inside Wallace Wade Stadium since 2020.
• Jeff Yurk averaged 51.9 yards on seven punts, landing three inside the 20.
• In his first game with the Phoenix, grad transfer Khalil Baker led with 10 tackles.
• Cazeem Moore had six tackles and a team-high 2.0 for loss. He also forced a fumble in the first quarter.
• Duke improves to 8-0-1 all-time against Elon.
• The contest was the first of six straight inside the state of North Carolina for Elon. The Phoenix will return to Durham in eight days to face North Carolina Central.

 
UP NEXT

• Elon has eight days off before beginning FCS play at North Carolina Central on Saturday, Sept. 7 at 6:00 p.m.
• Elon's home opener will be Sept. 14 against Western Carolina at 6:00 p.m.