Duke upsets Florida State in exciting college football matchup

Oct. 19, 2024, 1:30 a.m. Sports

In a thrilling college football matchup, the Duke Blue Devils upset the Florida State Seminoles in a game that went down to the wire. The Blue Devils, who came into the game as heavy underdogs, stunned the Seminoles with a gutsy performance that showcased their determination and resilience.

From the opening kickoff, it was clear that Duke was not going to back down from the challenge of facing a highly-ranked opponent in Florida State. The Blue Devils’ defense came out firing on all cylinders, stifling the Seminoles’ potent offense and forcing multiple turnovers in the first half. Led by standout linebacker, Michael Carter II, the Duke defense made life difficult for Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis, sacking him multiple times and pressuring him into costly mistakes.

On the offensive side of the ball, the Blue Devils were equally impressive. Quarterback Gunnar Holmberg played with poise and confidence, spreading the ball around to his talented group of receivers and keeping the Seminoles’ defense on its heels. Running back Mateo Durant was a force to be reckoned with, breaking tackles and picking up crucial yards on the ground. The Duke offensive line also deserves credit for their solid performance, giving Holmberg time to make plays and opening up running lanes for Durant.

Despite their early success, the Blue Devils found themselves trailing in the fourth quarter as the Seminoles mounted a late comeback. Florida State scored two quick touchdowns to take a narrow lead with just minutes remaining in the game. However, Duke refused to give up, answering back with a touchdown drive of their own to regain the lead.

As the clock wound down, the tension in the stadium reached a fever pitch. With only seconds remaining, Florida State had one last chance to steal the victory, driving down the field and setting up for a potential game-winning field goal. But the Duke defense came up big once again, blocking the kick and sealing the upset victory for the Blue Devils.

The win marked a significant moment for the Duke football program, as they proved that they could compete with some of the top teams in the nation. Head coach, David Cutcliffe, praised his team’s grit and determination in the face of adversity, noting that their resilience was a key factor in the upset victory.

For the Seminoles, the loss was a disappointing setback, as they had high hopes for a successful season. Head coach Mike Norvell acknowledged that his team had not played up to their potential and vowed to learn from the defeat and improve moving forward.

Overall, the Duke vs. Florida State matchup was a thrilling display of college football at its finest. The Blue Devils’ upset victory sent shockwaves through the college football world and served as a reminder that anything can happen on any given Saturday. Duke proved that they are a team to be reckoned with, while Florida State will look to bounce back from the loss and regain their winning form in the weeks ahead.