Duke beats Florida State 23-16, earns first victory over Seminoles after 22 straight losses

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Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) hands odd the ball to Peyton Jones (5) during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State head coach Mike Norvell shouts toward the field during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State quarterback Luke Kromenhoek (14) is tackled by Duke’s Cameron Bergeron (4) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke’s Chandler Rivers, left, carries the ball for a touchdown after an interception ahead of Florida State’s Jalen Brown (6) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State’s Brock Glenn (11) is chased down by Duke’s Ryan Smith (40) and Terry Moore (1) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke head coach Manny Diaz celebrates after an interception returned for a touchdown during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Durham, N.C., Friday, October 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State athletic director Michael Alford, center, reacts after a play late in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke’s Maalik Murphy (6) throws during an NCAA college football game against Florida State in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State’s Lawrance Toafili (9) carries the ball as Duke’s Cameron Bergeron (4), Vincent Anthony Jr. (7), and Chandler Rivers (0) defend during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State’s Brock Glenn (11) carries the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State’s Brock Glenn, center, looks to pass the ball during the second half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke’s Peyton Jones (5) carries the ball past Florida State’s Azareye’h Thomas (8) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke’s Kendy Charles (91) tackles Florida State’s Kam Davis (3) ahead of Florida State’s André Otto (65) and Maurice Smith (53) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke head coach Manny Diaz reacts as his team scores a touchdown against Florida State during an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke’s Nick Lampert (4) fails to complete a catch over Florida State’s Kevin Knowles II (3) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Duke head coach Manny Diaz, right, high-fives fans after defeating Florida State in an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State’s Luke Kromenhoek (14) is tackled by Duke’s Kevin O’Connor (50) during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State head coach Mike Norvell, left, walks the sideline as athletic director Michael Alford, right, looks on during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Duke in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

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Florida State’s Kam Davis (3) fumbles the ball as Duke’s Ozzie Nicholas (45) and Christian Rorie (96) apply pressure during the second half of an NCAA college football game in Durham, N.C., Friday, Oct. 18, 2024. (AP Photo/Ben McKeown)

By BOB SUTTON

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) — An historic result didn’t seem all that unusual for Duke on Friday night.

Chandler Rivers scored on an interception return, Todd Pelino kicked three field goals and the Blue Devils beat Florida State for the first time in 23 all-time meetings, winning 23-16 on Friday night.

“I really feel like they expected to win the game,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said of his players.

Star Thomas ran for 88 yards and a touchdown and the Blue Devils (6-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) bounced back from their first loss of the season nearly two weeks earlier.

Florida State (1-6, 1-5) had its misery extended despite outgaining Duke by 111 yards.

“The game went about the way we expected,” Diaz said. “The game was won by our defense. … The most important stat is the win.”

With a chance to pull even, the Seminoles drove to the Duke 37-yard line before a first-down fumble at the 5:18 mark. Florida State’s final possession ended on a fourth-down play that lost yards.

“We know we didn’t play our best,” Thomas said of the offense. “We just let those guys (on defense) put the finishing touch on things.”

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Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy threw for 70 yards as part of the team’s 180 yards of total offense.

Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn committed turnovers on three consecutive first-half snaps, with two interceptions sandwiched around a fumble. He finished 9-for-19 passing for 110 yards. Backup Luke Kromenhoek was 3 for 7 for 19 yards.

“It’s unfortunate that we left plays out there and some of the mistakes that were made,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “I truly believe that this team was ready to go out and play at a very high level.”

Florida State’s Samuel Singleton Jr. returned the second-half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

But earlier, those Seminoles giveaways were crucial for Duke’s defense.

“That’s crazy,” Rivers said about the string of turnovers. “That brought a lot of momentum.”

Duke, with 51 yards of total offense at the time, led 17-3 after Pelino’s 27-yard field goal with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Rivers picked off Glenn and raced 36 yards untouched for Duke’s first touchdown. Glenn fumbled on the next Florida State snap, meaning the Blue Devils had only 36 yards to go for their second touchdown, with Thomas’ 2-yard run on fourth-and-1 providing the points.

Ozzie Nicholas’ interception and return to the Florida State 11 turned into only three points. Nicholas forced Glenn’s fumble on the previous possession.

Duke’s first four possessions ended with punts.

REPEAT THIEF

Rivers had a pick-6 against the Seminoles for the second year in a row. This one felt better because it didn’t come off a deflection, it was all his work.

“Just catch the ball, go run and score,” he said.

THE TAKEAWAY

Florida State: The Seminoles tried two quarterbacks, but the offense sputtered most of the game and didn’t crank out a touchdown. The defense turned in a strong showing, but the reigning ACC champions will have to win the rest of their games to gain bowl eligibility.

Duke: The Blue Devils barely functioned offensively, but defense has been their foundation this season and that was needed this time. Six sacks came in handy.

UP NEXT

Florida State: Oct. 26 at No. 6 Miami

Duke: Home Oct. 26 vs. No. 21 SMU

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