By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Durham, N.C. — Manny Diaz and Duke did it.

For the first time in 23 all-time meetings, the Blue Devils defeated Florida State as its defense forced four turnovers in a 23-16 victory over the struggling Seminoles at Wallace Wade Stadium on Friday night.

“Being part of it is really incredible to see,” said Duke linebacker Ozzie Nicholas, who forced two turnovers. “To do something historic is just great, great for the energy, for the community, for everything. It’s a blessing to be a part of.”

Duke improved to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the ACC in Diaz’s first season in Durham. Florida State, which went undefeated in the regular season last year and claimed the ACC title, fell to 1-6 as its dreadful season continued.

Duke’s defense was the difference.

The Blue Devils parlayed turnovers on three consecutive offensive plays by Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn into 17 points in the first half, allowing the team to play from ahead for most of the game.

And, late in the fourth quarter with Florida State driving for a potential game-tying score, the Blue Devils’ defense did it again — forcing and recovering a fumble by FSU running back Kam Davis.

The Seminoles got the ball one more time, but Duke’s defense forced a long fourth-down and held again.

“The game was won by our defense,” said Diaz, who told his team throughout the week to expect a low-scoring game. “Up front in the way that we played and in the way that we were relentless getting after the quarterback was just the telling difference in the game.”

In 22 previous meetings, the Seminoles won just once by less than 18 points — a 17-10 victory in 2017. Florida State averaged 48 points per game. Two of the Seminoles’ wins were later vacated by the NCAA.

“There are so many ways that we tell ourselves stories that just limit what we can accomplish,” Diaz said. “Those guys down there they don’t believe in any of that stuff. They don’t care what happened, when it happened, whatever. They believed that they could do whatever.”

Florida State led 3-0 early before Glenn, playing in place of injured (and ineffective) starter DJ Uiagalelei, turned the ball over three times on consecutive offensive snaps.

Cornerback Chandler Rivers intercepted Glenn and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown late in the first quarter, giving the Blue Devils a 7-3 lead.

Then Nicholas forced a Glenn fumble, giving Duke the ball at the Florida State 36. Ten plays later, running back Star Thomas scored on a two-yard plunge on fourth-and-1.

On the Seminoles’ next offensive play, Nicholas intercepted Glenn and returned it 29 yards to the Florida State 11. Kicker Todd Pelino kicked a field goal to extend the lead to 17-3.

Freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek replaced Glenn after the turnover binge, but Glenn returned to the game in the second half.

Florida State added a field goal before the half and a 95-yard kickoff return to start the third quarter, trimming Duke’s lead to 17-13.

But the Duke offense, largely ineffective outside of a few big plays, managed a 10-play, 48-yard drive for a field goal to extend the lead back to seven points. Each time the Seminoles crept closer, Duke did just enough. Pelino was 3-for-3 on field goals.

The Blue Devils had 180 yards of total offense, including just 70 yards passing. Running back Star Thomas rushed 21 times for 88 yards with 44 coming on a single carry to set up a final Pelino field goal in the fourth quarter.

Duke receiver Jordan Moore was limited due to injury and the team was without starting running back Jaquez Moore and tight end Nicky Dalmolin, who is out for the season after suffering an injury in practice this week.

Quarterback Maalik Murphy completed 12-of-24 passes for 70 yards. Florida State’s quarterbacks combined to complete 12-of-26 passes for 129 yards and two interceptions.

Murphy took three kneel downs to end the game, setting off a subdued celebration. There was no mass storming of the field. And even the seen in the locker room, while proud and joyful Diaz said, was not uproarious.

“I really think they expected to win,” Diaz said. “I don’t feel like there were a lot of surprised faces when we looked at the locker room.”

Duke improved to 15-2 at home over the last three years.

Said Diaz: “Wallace Wade is a hard place for an opposing team to come win. That’s what the facts say.”

Scoring summary

First quarter

FSU — Ryan Fitzgerald 23 field goal, 10:20. Drive: 6 plays, 46 yards, 3:00. Key play: Toafili Lawrance 27-yard catch-and-run set up the Seminoles inside the Duke 15. Florida State 3, Duke 0.

Duke — Chandler Rivers 36 interception return (Todd Pelino kick), 1:38. Key play: Rivers stepped in front of a pass intended for Jalen Brown and raced down the sideline. Duke 7, Florida State 3.

Second quarter

Duke — Star Thomas 2 run (Pelino kick), 11:43. Drive: 10 plays, 36 yards, 4:43. Key play: Duke’s Ozzie Nicholas forced a fumble from Glenn that was recovered by Ryan Smith, giving the Blue Devils possession at the Florida State 36. … Thomas scored on fourth-and-1 from 2. Duke 14, Florida State 3.

Duke — Pelino 27 field goal, 10:00. Drive: 4 plays, 1 yard, 1:29. Key play: Nicholas intercepted Glenn and returned it 29 yards to the Florida State 11. Duke 17, Florida State 3.

FSU — Fitzgerald 53 field goal, 1:46. Drive: 9 plays, 21 yards, 3:22. Key play: Duke was called for a 15-yard penalty after a sack on third-and-7, extending the Florida State drive. Duke 17, Florida State 6.

Third quarter

FSU — Samuel Singleton, Jr. 95 kickoff return (Fitzgerald kick), 14:49. Key play: Singleton gave the Seminoles exactly what they needed in the first play after halftime. Duke 17, Florida State 13.

Duke — Pelino 44 field goal, 9:32. Drive: 10 plays, 48 yards, 5:12. Key plays: Thomas converted a third-and-2 with a 5-yard run … Peyton Jones rushed 20 yards to the Florida State 24. Duke 20, Florida State 13.

Fourth quarter

FSU — Fitzgerald 38 field goal, 11:35. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards, 4:47. Key plays: Glenn completed a 19-yard pass to Ja’Khi Douglas. Duke 20, Florida State 16.

Duke — Pelino 39 field goal, 8:58. Drive: 5 plays, 53 yards, 2:37. Key plays: A Florida State interception was wiped out due to a defensive holding call. On the next play, Thomas raced 44 yards to put the Blue Devils in field goal range.

Source: wralsportsfan.com