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Duke’s beatdown of NC State included a must-see missed field goal returned for a 109-yard touchdown
Duke beat NC State 41-3 in Raleigh, with a missed field goal returned for a 109-yard touchdown just before half-time standing out as the game’s defining moment. The play turned a potential 24-6 score into 31-3, deepening a difficult season for the Wolfpack.
NC State entered the game 4-4 and had recently changed coaches, with Todd Goebbel serving as interim head coach. Kicker Kanoah Vinesett’s 50-yard attempt fell short with two seconds left in the half, and Duke safety Andrew Pellicciotta caught it in the end zone and ran the length of the field; Duke added 10 points after the break.
In short
- Duke routed NC State 41-3.
- A short field goal attempt became a 109-yard touchdown return.
- The score was 31-3 at half-time.
Explained simply
Duke and NC State are university American football teams in the Atlantic Coast Conference, a league whose members compete across several US states. Their match in Raleigh was part of the regular season, when teams play to improve their league record and qualify for postseason games.
NC State had a 4-4 record going into the game and was adjusting to a coaching change, with Todd Goebbel in charge on an interim basis. Duke’s Andrew Pellicciotta and NC State kicker Kanoah Vinesett were involved in the unusual end-of-half play that became a focal point of the match.