By Will Vandervort.
By Will Vandervort
Here is an inside look at the Clemson-Duke series as the ninth-ranked Clemson Tigers visit Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium. The game will be televised by ESPN2 at 7:05 p.m.
About the Blue Devils: At 3-2, Duke stands a half-game back of first place Miami in the ACC Coastal Division race. The Blue Devils are having their best season in 18 years and are bowl eligible for the first time since 1994.
The Blue Devils offense: Duke quarterback Sean Renfree (1,885 yards, 11 TDs, 7 Ints) is listed as probable after suffering a concussion in the second quarter at FSU last week. The Blue Devils also like to bring in backup Anthony Boone (531, 5 TDs, 2 Ints) from time-to-time to mix things up. Wide receiver Conner Vernon already holds the ACC record for catches in a career and needs 82 yards to set the ACC record for receiving yards. Jamison Crowder, like Vernon, is high in the ACC in catches (53) and yards (645). Vernon has 54 for 761 yards. Both have scored five touchdowns. Desmond Scott has caught 45 passes for 453 yards with a score.
The Blue Devils defense: The Blue Devils have registered 19 sacks this year, but suffered a big blow Thursday when sack leader Kenny Anunike (lower body) was listed as doubtful for Saturday’s game. The Blue Devils are beat up in the secondary. Safety Brandon Braxton (lower body) is out for the game as is reserve safety Anthony Young-Wiseman (leg). Reserve cornerback Jared Boyd (leg) will also miss the game. The Blue Devils were already down two safeties from injuries earlier this season.
The Blue Devils Special Teams: Duke punter Will Monday ranks 14th nationally in punts with a 44.3 yard average, while kicker Ross Martin is 14 of 16 on field goals. Punt returner Lee Butler ranks fifth nationally, averaging 17.0 yards per punt return, including a long of 65 yards.
Records: Clemson 7-1, 4-1 ACC; Duke 6-3, 3-2 ACC
Series record: Clemson leads 35-16-1
At Duke: Clemson leads 14-12
Streak: Clemson has won eight of the last nine meetings
Last meeting: 2008: Clemson won 31-7
Last meeting at Duke: 2007: Clemson won 47-10
First meeting: 1934: Duke won 20-6
Clemson’s biggest margin of victory: 51 points (58-7 in 2001)
Duke’s biggest margin of victory: 26 points (38-12 in 1935)
Stat worth noting: This will be the first night game ever played in the series.
Second stat worth noting: Clemson has won the last three meetings in the series and have outscored the Blue Devils 127-37.
Third state worth noting: Clemson is 11-1 under head coach Dabo Swinney when listed as a two-touchdown favorite. The Tigers are a 14-point favorite this week according to the odds makers.
Memorable game: November 8, 1997 — Defensive end Rahim Abdullah returned an interception 63 yards for a touchdown, clinching Clemson’s 29-20 overtime victory over Duke. It was the first overtime game in Clemson history, and the first in ACC history involving two conference teams.