Duke will seek its fourth straight road win when it faces UConn in a non-conference matchup Saturday afternoon in East Hartford, Conn.
Duke (5-3) is 3-1 on the road this season, but its last three road games were victories over Syracuse (38-3 score), Cal (45-21) and Clemson (46-45). The Blue Devils may meet plenty of resistance on Saturday, however, as UConn is 4-0 at home this season and is averaging 44.8 points per game at Rentschler Field.
“In college football, I think winning at home sets the floor of your program,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “I think winning away sets the ceiling of your program. It’s really hard to be an elite college football program without winning away from home.”
UConn (6-3) and Notre Dame are the only FBS independent programs. Duke will be the third Atlantic Coach Conference team UConn has faced this season. The Huskies lost 27-20 in overtime at Syracuse on Sept. 6 before winning at Boston College 38-23 on Oct. 18.
Both teams have received excellent quarterback play this season. Duke’s Darian Mensah has completed 202 of 290 pass attempts for 2,572 yards and 21 touchdowns. He’s been intercepted only twice. UConn’s Joe Fagnano, a transfer from Maine, has passed for 2,529 yards and 22 TDs and has not been intercepted.
Duke’s Cooper Barkate leads the ACC in receiving yards (774) and has at least 65 receiving yards in every game this season.
“The chemistry between him and their quarterback — you notice it on film,” UConn coach Jim Mora said. “There’s a lot of confidence there. He’s a dynamic athlete.”
UConn has turned the ball over once this season and is plus-10 in turnover margin.
The Blue Devils have won four of their last five games since a 1-2 start. The Huskies also started 1-2 and have won five of their last six.
“(Duke is) playing at a very high level right now,” Mora said. “They’re very athletic. It’s gonna be a tall challenge for us.”
