5 Observations and More from Duke Football's First Half Against Wake Forest

Duke and Wake Forest are tied 14-14 at halftime in a game marred by injuries and struggling offenses.

On a chilly night at Wallace Wade Stadium, Duke and Wake Forest find themselves in a tightly contested battle. Both teams are desperate to end their losing streaks. Despite a slow start, the Blue Devil offense gains momentum towards the end of the first half, resulting in a tied score of 14-14 after 30 minutes of play.

Injury troubles continue to plague the Blue Devils, with linebacker Dorian Mausi joining the list of players unable to participate in Thursday's game. The most significant absence is starting quarterback Riley Leonard, who is seen wearing street clothes and a boot on his injured left foot. Backup Henry Belin IV is also unlikely to play, leaving freshmen Grayson Loftis and Donald Tomlin as the only healthy quarterbacks on the Blue Devil roster.

The Duke offense struggles to make progress in the early stages of the game. The first three possessions only yield a total of 10 yards. The absence of starting left tackle Graham Barton due to injury, combined with Loftis' lack of game experience, hinders the Blue Devils' performance. Loftis completes just 2 out of 8 passes for 25 yards in the first half. Additionally, a strip-sack in the first quarter disrupts a promising drive, but Wake Forest fails to capitalize on the turnover, missing a 27-yard field goal. Despite these challenges, the Blue Devils manage to score on the ground in the early stages of the second quarter.

Both teams display aggressive pass rushes, resulting in pressure on the opposing quarterbacks. The Blue Devils record two sacks, while the Demon Deacons add one of their own. Loftis faces constant pressure on almost every dropback, while Wake Forest's Mitch Griffis manages to evade Duke's pass rush. Taking advantage of Wake Forest's weak pass protection, the Blue Devils aim to disrupt their in-state rivals, who have been allowing an average of 4.6 sacks per game.

In an effort to compensate for the struggles in the passing game, the Blue Devils heavily rely on their ground attack. Running backs Jaquez Moore and Jordan Waters combine for 17 carries and 126 yards, averaging 7.4 yards per carry. Although Duke occasionally mixes in pass plays, with Loftis finding success on screen passes, the running game remains the dominant force for the Blue Devil offense.

Duke concludes the first half with an impressive 14-play, seven-plus-minute drive. This methodical drive, which starts with 8:10 remaining on the clock, showcases the team's ability to control the game. The Blue Devils primarily rely on the running game, with only two passing attempts. Jordan Waters scores another touchdown, leveling the score at 14 with just one minute left in the half.

The first half is characterized by a series of punts, fumbles, interceptions, and missed field goals, making any forward progress a notable achievement. However, with 9:50 remaining in the second quarter, Loftis is hurried by Wake Forest's Kevin Pointer, resulting in a deflected pass that Quincy Bryant intercepts. This turnover leads to the Demon Deacons' second touchdown, giving the Blue Devils a 14-7 deficit.

Despite the challenges faced by both teams, the game remains tightly contested, with neither side able to gain a significant advantage.