Duke beats the Citadel 28-10

Posted 8:30PM on Saturday 2nd October 2004 ( 20 years ago )

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) Mike Schneider gave Duke its first consistent game in the quarterback slot this season. The sophomore on Saturday threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, and Duke piled up a season-high 397 yards in a 28-10 victory over Division I-AA The Citadel. The Blue Devils (1-4) also blocked two punts and forced two turnovers. Schneider finished 17-of-24 for 190 yards, and Justin Boyle sealed it with an 83-yard TD run in the final seconds. ``I think (Schneider) made tremendous strides,'' said Duke receiver Ronnie Elliot, who set career highs with six receptions for 80 yards. ``He's been doing a good job all year, but today I think he felt more confidence with the offense, and I think he was in synch with the receivers a lot more.'' Schneider is one of three Blue Devils who've been shuffled in and out of the position this season. Nehemiah Broughton rushed for 79 yards all but 11 coming in the first half for the Bulldogs (0-3), who lost 33-3 last week to Auburn. Justin Hardin was 8-of-18 for 109 yards. After The Citadel went three-and-out on the opening series, Duke's Daniel Charbonnet blocked a punt by Mike Adams to give the Blue Devils the ball on the 1. Schneider sneaked in from there to make it 7-0. The Citadel responded with a 10-play, 71-yard drive that stalled inside the Duke 10, leading to a 25-yard field goal by Blake Vandiver. For much of the first half, the Bulldogs moved the ball but were unable to find the end zone. In their third possession, The Bulldogs drove to the Blue Devil 1-yard line before a 15-yard illegal block penalty pushed them back. The result of the drive was an interception in the end zone. ``Had we executed, it would have been a 14-14 game at the half,'' said Bulldogs coach John Zernhelt, a former Duke assistant. ``We have to capitalize and capitalize bigger.'' Later, the Bulldogs closed to 14-10 on Michael Ballentine's fumble recovery in the end zone. Another recovery by Ballentine gave The Citadel the ball on Duke's 20, but C.J. Woodard intercepted a pass by Hardin at the 5 to stop the drive. The Blue Devils then drove 77 yards for another score, this one a 21-yard pass from Schneider to tight end Andy Roland, his second touchdown reception of the game. That made it 21-10. ``Andy's been one of our more productive players for a couple of years now, and good things happen when he gets the ball,'' Roof said. The Blue Devils converted 10-of-16 first downs in the game, leading to a 7-minute, 30-second advantage in time of possession. The Citadel was 2-of-12 on third down. The Bulldogs managed just 104 total yards in the second half. ``That was a win that we desperately needed, and I'm very proud of our football team,'' Roof said.

http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/10/150796