Northwestern seeks payback against Duke after opening lakefront stadium with win
Northwestern linebacker Xander Mueller (34) in action against Duke during the second half of an NCAA football game, Sept. 10, 2022, in Evanston, Ill. Credit: AP/Kamil Krzaczynski
Duke (1-0) at Northwestern (1-0), Friday, 9 p.m. ET (FS1)
BetMGM College Football Odds: Northwestern by 2½.
Series record: Duke leads 13-10, including 7-4 in Evanston.
WHAT'S AT STAKE?
Northwestern seeks payback for a 38-14 loss at Duke last season. The Wildcats opened their temporary lakefront stadium by beating Miami (Ohio) 13-6 on Saturday. Duke is looking for a 2-0 start under first-year coach Manny Diaz, along with some improved offensive efficiency after a 26-3 win against Elon to start the season.
KEY MATCHUP
Duke's defensive front against Northwestern's blockers. The Blue Devils had a national-best eight sacks during the weekend games. Their 16 tackles for loss against Elon were the most for Duke since 2007.
Duke safety Jaylen Stinson (2) follows a receiver during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State, Saturday, Oct. 21, 2023, in Tallahassee, Fla. Credit: AP/Phelan M. Ebenhack
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Duke: QB Maalik Murphy. The Texas transfer had a solid start in his Duke debut by throwing for 291 yards and two touchdowns. But he repeatedly missed deep as he pushed the ball downfield, going 3 for 14 on passes of at least 15 yards. The Blue Devils were close on multiple of those throws to snagging a big play, and it would help to have a better connect rate against the Wildcats.
Northwestern: QB Mike Wright: The Mississippi State transfer led three scoring drives after winning a preseason competition for the starting job. Wright completed 18 of 30 passes for 178 yards. He also ran for 65 yards and a touchdown, but he lost a fumble at the goal line trying to score late in the first half.
FACTS & FIGURES
Duke has won five straight meetings with Northwestern dating to 2017, after the Wildcats took eight of nine from 1999 to 2016. … The Blue Devils had no accepted penalties against them in the opener, putting them alongside Kansas State as the only penalty-free teams in the Bowl Subdivision ranks after Week 1. … The Friday night game is the first of two for Northwestern, the other coming at Maryland on Oct. 11. ... The Wildcats sacked Miami’s Brett Gabbert four times, including two by Mac Uihlein. ... Northwestern has won five straight games, its best streak since winning six in a row from 2019 to 2020.
