Updated 7:25 p.m.

DURHAM – Duke coach David Cutcliffe has told his told players these are the games, the close ones, that are most telling. He tells his Blue Devils he loves close games, because you’re right there, one play away from victory.

Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium, the Blue Devils needed a play against No. 15 Virginia Tech, one that could be the biggest highlight under Cutcliffe’s four-years.

updated: 5:15 p.m.

DURHAM – It took Duke more than 2 ½ quarters to record a rush of more than 3 yards Saturday – and quarterback Sean Renfree’s 7-yard scramble only managed to push the Blue Devils’ running total back to “zero” at that point.

It was that kind of day for the Blue Devils, who snapped their two-game winning streak – and thwarted any bowl hopes that may have arisen from that two-game winning streak – by losing to Boston College 21-16 at Wallace Wade Stadium.

“I told our team after the ballgame, ‘We prepared really well, we were emotionally ready to play, we competed,’” coach David Cutcliffe said. “[But] we didn’t do the fundamental things it takes to win the game. When you don’t, in close football games, it ends up biting you.”

DURHAM – Duke coach David Cutcliffe said he’s not trying to create a kicking controversy, but after watching Friday night’s scrimmage, “there will be competition.”

Returning starter Will Snyderwine made only one of three field goals – making one from 32 yards, but missing from 30 and 38 – while senior Nick Maggio connected from 20 yards out, and missed from 55.

DURHAM – Sophomore Conner Vernon said he thinks Duke’s wide receiving corps can be the best in the ACC.

But it needs to get healthy, first.

Although Vernon and All-ACC wideout Donovan Varner returned to limited practice Tuesday morning, Austin Kelly – the third starting receiver in the group – sat out. Kelly and Vernon sustained hamstring injuries during Monday night’s scrimmage, while Varner sat out the scrimmage because of a hurt hamstring, as well.

Fuquay-Varina defensive tackle Shaun Underwood has his pick from about a dozen college scholarship offers.

Millbrook sophomore football running back Keith Marshall already is getting national recruiting attention as well as interest from Atlantic Coast Conference programs.

Britton Grier of West Charlotte, a 6-foot-1, 183-pound outside linebacker, has committed to Duke.

Former Smithfield-Selma High School standout Josh Snead was one of the few bright spots for the White team during today's Duke Blue-White spring football game.

Snead, a member of the SSS class of 2010 who completed his graduation requirements after the first semester, then enrolled in January at Duke, ran for 99 yards on just nine carries. He broke off the game's longest run as well, of 60 yards.

The Blue squad won, 24-3. 

The Blue Devils open the 2010 season on Sept. 4 against Elon.

Kareem Martin picks Heels over Duke and Virginia Tech

Defensive lineman will pick from among Duke, North Carolina and Virginia Tech.