Maalik Murphy leads Duke to 2-OT win over Northwestern

Field Level Media|published: Sat 7th September, 01:17 2024

Sep 6, 2024; Evanston, Illinois, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Eli Pancol (4) catches a touchdown pass as Northwestern Wildcats defensive back Braden Turner (9) defends him during the first half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Maalik Murphy threw two touchdown passes after regulation and a dormant Duke offense suddenly clicked in a 26-20 double-overtime victory over Northwestern on Friday night in Evanston, Ill.

Northwestern's Cam Porter ran for a 10-yard touchdown to open the overtime scoring. One play later, Duke scored its first touchdown since the opening quarter on Murphy's 25-yard pass to Jordan Moore.

In the second OT, Murphy hit Moore for 22 yards and then connected with Eli Pancol for a 3-yard score, but the two-point-conversion attempt failed.

The Blue Devils stopped Northwestern's final possession after the Wildcats reached the 3-yard line.

Duke (2-0) was in field-goal range twice in the waning minutes of regulation, converting on Todd Pelino's tying kick from 22 yards out with 14 seconds left after a Blue Devils lost fumble was overturned by replay review.

Pelino missed a 33-yard field-goal attempt with 2:04 remaining after Duke had moved 64 yards on eight plays. The Blue Devils got another chance following a Northwestern punt.

Jack Olsen's 35-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter came at the end of an 11-play drive, giving Northwestern a 13-10 edge.

Duke committed two turnovers and had a punt blocked, while Northwestern (1-1) had two giveaways among its blunders.

Murphy went 24-for-39 for 242 yards with three touchdowns and an interception.

Northwestern quarterback Mike Wright was 20-for-36 for 158 yards and an interception. Porter gained 93 yards on the ground and scored two touchdowns.

Both teams scored touchdowns after collecting first-half turnovers.

Four plays after Terry Moore intercepted Wright, the Blue Devils were in the end zone on Murphy's 16-yard pass to Pancol for a 7-3 lead in the first quarter.

The Wildcats countered after recovering a muffed punt. They needed to go just 11 yards, with Porter's 4-yard run providing a 10-7 lead in the second quarter.

Duke had only 94 yards of total offense in the first half.

The Blue Devils' first possession of the second half ended with a blocked punt, but the Wildcats let them off the hook. Olsen's attempted 29-yard field goal hit the upright and bounced away.

The teams traded turnovers before Duke got even on Pelino's 49-yard field goal with seven minutes to play in the third quarter.

--Field Level Media