Thaddeus Lewis scores 3 TDs as Duke dominates NC Central 49-14 in first-ever meeting

Duke dominates North Carolina Central 49-14

DURHAM, N.C. — Thaddeus Lewis threw for two touchdowns and rushed for another score to help Duke beat North Carolina Central 49-14 in the Bull City Gridiron Classic on Saturday night.

It was the first-ever matchup between the two schools, which are located a couple of miles from each other.

Lewis finished with 189 yards passing for the Blue Devils (2-2), who totaled 486 yards on offense. Freshman Desmond Scott led Duke with 100 yards rushing and a touchdown on 16 carries, while Patrick Kurunwune added 93 yards on the ground and a score on 14 attempts.

The Blue Devils scored on their first three possessions to claim a 21-0 lead. North Carolina Central (0-4) scored two touchdowns — Tim Shankle’s 1-yard run and Jeffery Henderson’s 83-yard interception return, cutting the margin to seven.

But Duke responded with 28 unanswered points to pull away from the Eagles.

Duke linebacker Vincent Rey set a school record with his third touchdown off a fumble. He scored on a 16-yard fumble return in the third quarter to give the Blue Devils a 42-14 lead.