Duke's Kenny Anunike (84) and Brandon Connette (18) brought the victory bell into the Blue Devils' locker room. Credit: CHUCK LIDDY 

DURHAM—Duke turned in its most impressive rushing performance of the David Cutcliffe era, running for 234 yards on a season-high 53 carries. And it came against one of the best run defenses in the country.

North Carolina, ranked 14th in the nation with an average of just 99.7 rushing yards allowed per game. Before Duke rushed for its 232 yards, the previous high for a North Carolina opponent was 183 yards to Louisville. Duke’s total was also well above the Blue Devils average of 111.1 yards per game.

DURHAM -- Duke came back from a 14-point halftime deficit to come within a point of beating Wake Forest on Saturday, another game where the Blue Devils’ habit of starting slowly held them back at the finish.

In five of Duke’s seven games so far, the Blue Devils have been behind at the half. They’ve been tied once and ahead once -- accounting for two of Duke’s three wins this season.

In the other five games, Duke has been outscored 90-34 in the first half and been down by a touchdown or more at halftime in three of them.