There’s no way to polish this one. Duke’s one-step forward, one-step back 2019 season took a giant step backwards in Charlottesville today, losing to Virginia 48-14.
The loss drops Duke to 4-3 overall, 2-2 in the ACC and creates serious doubt as to whether Duke can get to the six-win threshold necessary for a bowl bid.
Duke’s offense was totally over-matched. They couldn’t run block, pass block, throw the ball, catch the ball, even hold on to the ball.
The defense hung in there for awhile before field position, fatigue and perhaps frustration finally caught up.