Murfreesboro, TN – Probably the biggest surprise Duke Bue Devils encountered this young season came when MTSU RB Jaiden Credle burst open the game scoring with a 66-yard TD. His jaunt over left tackle jolted MTSU to an early 7-0 MTSU lead.  Surprising under HC Manny Diaz, known as a defensive guru in college circles.  After that though, the Duke Blue Devil offense scored 38 of the next 41 game points to slam the host Blue Raiders, 45-17.

Blue Devil QB Maalik Murphy connected on 14 passes for 216 yards and three TDs.  His running back, Sir Thomas, ran for 111 yards and two scores on 17 carries.  TE Nicky Dalmolin grabbed four passes for 100 yards and two scores.  After Credle’s burst, the Duke defense allowed only 102 more yards on the ground. MTSU also garnered only 3.6 yards among their 21 pass receptions.

Can Fair Weather Fans be blamed?

MTSU’s biggest break came with six minutes remaining in the third period. Lightning strikes delayed their agony with a one hour and 42-minute weather delay.  Guest Game Analyst Ed Mainardi (Brown U.) and I remained to the very end.  We found dry spots to stand under the sieve called Red Floyd Stadium with a handful of stalwart Blue Raider followers. We enjoyed the covered, but open, upper deck beer stand that featured popular brews sold at the MTSU Beer Garden. Many others among the 15,209 of the announced attendance probably left to go watch Tennessee play Oklahoma on television kicking off at 6:30 local time.

To finish the day’s scoring, MTSU TE Holden Willis hauled in a 15-yard pass from Nick Vittiato late in the third.  Sir Thomas of the Duke Blue Devils closed out the scoring for the day. He finished with a one-yard run to settle a 14-yard drive following DaShawn Stone’s interception early in the fourth.  Final score: Duke 45 MTSU 17.

More college football changes needed

Unlike South Alabama’s 48-13 blow-out over favored Appalachian State on Thursday we attended, this result was expected.  As part of our final assessment, this game demonstrates the disparity among the college football “Haves” and “Have-nots.”  Though Duke never threatens as a major Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) powerhouse, their 4-0 record this season demonstrated the superiority of “Power Five” programs over the majority of other colleges. We reported previously on their 26-3 win over FCS Elon we also attended.

Look how aforementioned Tennessee decimated two lower programs for their 4-0 start.  They clobbered FCS UT-Chattanooga, 66-0, and struggling Group of Five Kent State, 71-0. Granted they hammered NC State as well. Their 25-15 winning score over Oklahoma reflects the reality of such teams playing other Power Five programs. The same will be exposed for UT among other SEC contests coming up.  Plenty of other examples exist also among most other “Super Conference” programs running up huge scores among much lesser competition.  It’s time to start eliminating the scheduling of so many wasteful games toward the FBS championship.  At least from a budgetary definition, let the major teams compete against comparable teams for a common national championship.  Teams with the most money get the best players with larger NIL coffers now, more than ever. 

At least one new college football Subdivision needed

In essence, let’s cordon the Power Four off from the others by playing only comparable competition.  On the flip side, like the existing FCS (Football Championship Subdivision), there should be a third faction of teams between these two categories. They’d compete for a third national championship stimulating more fan interest regarding this new category.  Regarding the arguments that these smaller-budgeted teams need to play Power Four’s in a paid-for, butt-kicking, the 12 regular season games among the Super Conference members would allow them: instead “donate” half a million dollars each to a fund to be allocated among the lower division teams.  Put the money where the intent is if they are sincere about the sustainability of these programs.  Besides, with the wide-open transfer portal, it would be like funding their de facto “minor league system.”

Next UP! Duke demise to begin?

The Duke Blue Devils stand at 4-0 and get no respect; deservedly so. Their other two wins came against struggling Northwestern and UConn by six and five-point margins respectively. Not only are they not rated among the Top 25, but they also do not even register among “others receiving votes.” Next week, they get a chance to knock off their big, next-door rival, North Carolina (3-1). UNC put up 50 points last week. However, they gave up 70, and fairly quick, to James Madison in their first loss this season.  UNC averages 38 ppg.  Can the Blue Devils keep up?  We don’t think so. QB Maalik Murphy hasn’t shown enough to prove he can keep up with a quicker scoring pace like this.

In other action next week

Middle Tennessee visits 3-1 Memphis. Like UNC they scored a lot of points last week. However, they also fell to Navy in an American Athletic bout, 56-44. The Tigers will be looking to take this loss out on somebody.  Very bad timing for the Blue Raiders.  Speaking of 3-0 (2-0 in AAC) Navy, we head three hours away Saturday morning. USNA visits UA-Birmingham (1-2) for the Blazers’ first AAC game.  We really look forward to seeing Midshipman QB Blake Horvath of USNA run the Mids’ new run-pass option offense.  Last Saturday, he ran for 192 yards and two TDs. Also, in un-Navy like fashion, passed for 211 yards and four touchdowns. This game should be fun to watch.

ed. by Steve Koreivo   Member of Football Writer Association of America (FWAA)

Author of Fifty Years if Tailgate tales: The Good, the Fun and the Ugly.  Click on the title to buy yours and to submit a review for us as soon as possible. Enjoy! Thanks!