BLACKSBURG, Va.: Braxton Burmeister threw for 215 yards and a career-high three touchdowns to lift Virginia Tech to a 48-17 victory over Duke on Saturday.
Raheem Blackshear added 117 yards rushing and scored touchdowns both rushing and receiving for the Hokies (5-5, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference), who amassed more than 500 yards of offense (573) for the first time in 43 games. Virginia Techs 374 first-half yards were more than it had accumulated in six of nine previous games this season.
Burmeister, who missed nearly all of the Hokies 17-3 loss at Boston College because of an injury, returned and completed touchdown passes of 47 yards to Keshawn King, 30 yards to Kaleb Smith, and 13 yards to Blackshear.
Backup quarterback Jordan Moore led Duke (3-7, 0-6) with 113 rushing yards and a touchdown. The Blue Devils have lost six consecutive games.
TAKEAWAYS
Duke: Expect speculation on the status of Duke coach David Cutcliffe to ramp up in the next two weeks. The Blue Devils have lost 11 consecutive ACC games dating back to last season and are 4-20 in ACC play over the past three seasons. Cutcliffe, wrapping up his 14th year, has done a lot of good things at Duke, but it may be time for a change in Durham.
Virginia Tech: Nothing about this win should change the status of coach Justin Fuente, who is on the hot seat. The Hokies were 10.5-point favorites playing at home on Senior Day against the worst team in the ACC. They should have won convincingly. Fuentes future in Blacksburg will be determined following games at Miami and at rival Virginia to close the season.
UP NEXT
Duke: The Blue Devils play at home against Louisville on Thursday.
Virginia Tech: The Hokies play at Miami on Saturday.
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