Duke 46, FloridaInternational 26: Sean Renfree threw for 290 yards and a pair of touchdowns andhost Duke used a string of big plays to bury Florida International.Conner Vernon hauled in 10 catches for 180 yardsand a touchdown and broke the school record for career receptions as the BlueDevils beat the Panthers for the second straight season.
Jamison Crowder had six catches for 102 yards anda TD and Josh Snead and Brandon Connette each ran for a score as Duke routedthe Sun Belt Conference preseason favorites.
Unlike a year ago, when Duke (1-0) needed to erasea 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to overcome FIU (0-1), the Blue Devils tookcontrol by scoring 17 points in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the first half.
Renfree (21-of-30) connected with Crowder for a60-yard scoring pass to build the lead to 27-14 and a field goal by Ross Martinmade it 30-14 with 63 seconds left in the half.
FIU got in position for a last-second field goalgoing into halftime, but the kick was blocked and returned 75 yards for atouchdown by Duke’s Ross Cockrell for a stunning 37-14 halftime edge.
Vernon, who had catches of 46 and 49 yards to setup first-half scores, finally got in the end zone in the third quarter on a28-yard strike from Renfree to give the Blue Devils a 44-14 lead.
Kedrick Rhodes scored twice and had a big nightfor FIU, rushing for 130 yards and a TD on 25 carries and making sevenreceptions for 115 yards, including a 67-yard scoring pass. Jake Medlockfinished 27-of-45 for 348 yards with two TDs and zero interceptions.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Vernon has caught at least one passin an FBS-leading 36 consecutive games. He also became the seventh player inACC history to reach 200 career receptions and surpassed Donovan Varner for themost catches (208) in school history. … Florida International fell to 0-7all-time against ACC schools. … Duke went over 40 points for the eighth timein four seasons. … The Blue Devils’ defense came up with a huge early play,stuffing Rhodes on a fourth-and-1 at the 4-yard line on FIU’s second drive ofthe game with the score tied at 7-7.
