DURHAM, N.C. – – A historic result didn’t seem all that unusual for Duke on Friday night.

Chandler Rivers scored on an interception return, Todd Pelino made three field goals and the Blue Devils defeated Florida State for the first time in 23 all-time meetings, winning 23-16 on Friday night.

“I really feel like they expected to win the game,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said of his players.

Star Thomas ran for 88 yards and a touchdown and the Blue Devils (6-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) bounced back from their first loss of the season nearly two weeks earlier.

Florida State’s misery (1-6, 1-5) was extended despite a 111-yard lead over Duke.

“The game went as we expected,” Diaz said. “The game was won by our defense. … The most important statistic is the win.”

With a chance to tie, the Seminoles drove to the Duke 37-yard line for a first-down fumble at 5:18. Florida State’s final possession ended on a fourth-down play that lost yards.

“We know we didn’t play our best,” Thomas said of the offense. “We just let those guys (on defense) put the finishing touches on things.”

Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy threw for 70 yards as part of the team’s 180 yards of total offense.

Florida State quarterback Brock Glenn committed a turnover on three straight snaps in the first half, sandwiching two interceptions around a fumble. He finished 9-for-19 passing for 110 yards. Backup Luke Kromenhoek was 3 for 7 for 19 yards.

“It’s unfortunate that we let the plays go and some of the mistakes that we made,” Florida State coach Mike Norvell said. “I really believe this team was ready to play at a very high level.”

Samuel Singleton Jr. of Florida State returned the second half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown.

But previously, those Seminoles giveaways were crucial to Duke’s defense.

“That’s insane,” Rivers said of the series of turnover numbers. “That created a lot of momentum.”

Duke, which had 51 yards of total offense at the time, led 17-3 after Pelino’s 27-yard field goal with 10 minutes left in the first half.

Rivers picked off Glenn and raced 36 yards untouched for Duke’s first touchdown. Glenn fumbled Florida State’s next snap, meaning the Blue Devils had just 36 yards to go for their second touchdown, with Thomas’ 2-yard run on fourth-and-1 setting up the points.

Ozzie Nicholas’ interception and return to the Florida State 11 yielded just three points. Nicholas forced Glenn’s fumble on the previous possession.

Duke’s first four possessions ended with punts.

REPEAT THIEF

Rivers had a pick-6 against the Seminoles for the second year in a row. This one felt better because he didn’t come through a deflection, it was all his doing.

“Just catch the ball, run and score,” he said.

THE TAKEAWAY

Florida State: The Seminoles tried two quarterbacks, but the offense sputtered for most of the game and failed to produce a touchdown. The defense had a strong performance, but the reigning ACC champions will have to win the rest of their games to become bowl eligible.

Duke: The Blue Devils hardly functioned offensively, but the defense was their basis this season and that was necessary this time. Six sacks came in handy.

NEXT

Florida State: Oct. 26 at No. 6 Miami

Duke: Home October 26 vs. No. 21 SMU

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