Live college football updates: Duke leads Florida State, 17-6, at halftime

Already off to a strong start, and having collected one historic win, this season, Duke’s football team aims to end a long losing streak to Florida State on Friday night.

The Blue Devils (5-1, 1-1 ACC) are favored to beat struggling Florida State, a program Duke has never defeated in football.

Florida State (1-5, 1-4 ACC) won the league last season and entered this season as a favorite to do it again. Instead, the Seminoles have been a massive disappointment.

Follow along here for updates before and during the game, and log back in after the game for a complete recap.

Halftime update

Despite having just 62 yards of offense, Duke took a 17-6 lead over Florida State at halftime.

That’s because Duke’s defense recorded three turnovers, including Chandler Rivers’ 36-yard interception return for a touchdown. The Blue Devils turned a Ryan Smith fumble recovery into Star Thomas’ 2-yard touchdown run.

After Ozzie Nicholas intercepted Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn’s pass and returned it to the Seminoles 11, the Blue Devils offense gained just one yard before Todd Pelino kicked a 27-yard field goal.

After those three turnovers, which came on three consecutive FSU plays from scrimmage, freshman Luke Kromenhoek replaced Glenn at quarterback for the Seminoles.

Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy completed 5 of 13 passes in the first half for 32 yards. The Blue Devils are playing without starting tight end Nicky Dalmolin (lower body injury) while standout wide receiver Jordan Moore only played a few snaps in the first half due to an undisclosed injury.

The Seminoles, despite all their mistakes, gained 150 yards of offense over the first two quarters.

Fitzgerald booms an FSU FG

After freshman quarterback Luke Kromenhoek led the Seminoles into Duke territory, Ryan Fitzgerald kicked a 53-yard field goal with 1:46 left in the second quarter leaving the Blue Devils with a 17-6 lead.

Another FSU turnover, more Duke points

After Seminoles quarterback Brock Glenn committed his third turnover in three plays, this one by throwing an interception, Duke added a 27-yard Todd Pelino field goal to lead 17-3 with 10 minutes remaining in the first half.

Duke linebacker Ozzie Nicholas intercepted Glenn’s pass at the Florida State 40 and returned it 29 yards to the FSU 11. Duke’s offense only gained one yard on three plays before Pelino booted the field goal.

Glenn had thrown an interception and lost a fumble on FSU’s previous two plays from scrimmage.

Star Thomas TD run

Duke’s offense added to the Blue Devils’ lead when Star Thomas scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 11:43 to play in the second quarter giving Duke a 14-3 lead.

The score came on fourth-and-2 play from the FSU 2 when Duke coach Manny Diaz opted not to attempt a field goal.

The drive started when Duke’s Ryan Smith recovered Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn’s fumble at the Seminoles 36.

Duke defense gets a TD

Chandler Rivers intercepted a Brock Glenn pass and returned it 36 yards for a touchdown giving Duke a 7-3 lead with 1:38 to play in the first quarter.

FSU scores first

Taking advantage of a poor punt from Duke’s Kade Reynoldson, FSU used the short field to take a 3-0 on Ryan Fitzgerald’s 23-yard field goal.

The Seminoles started their first possession at their own 49 and moved deep into Duke territory when Lawrence Toafili gained 12 yards on a run before picking up 27 more on a swing pass from quarterback Brock Glenn.

Pregame update

After two key defensive players were limited to 21 snaps each in Duke’s last game, a 24-14 loss at Georgia Tech on Oct. 5, the Blue Devils will be healthier against Florida State.

Defensive backs Cameron Bergeron and Terry Moore, who were both injured at Georgia Tech, are in uniform and playing against the Seminoles.

Linebacker Nick Morris, who started Duke’s season-opening win over Elon on Aug 30, is in uniform for the first time since that night. Morris hasn’t played in Duke’s last five games but is closer than ever to returning to action.

Duke running back Jaquez Moore, who has missed three games and most of two others with a foot injury, warmed up prior to the Florida State game in an attempt to return to play.

The Blue Devils will face Florida State without starting tight end Nicky Dalmolin, who is sidelined with a lower body injury.