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.

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Duke University’s football program has experienced its share of mind-bending losses down through the years. On Saturday afternoon at Boston College’s Alumni Stadium, the shoe was literally on the other foot.

With 43 seconds remaining, BC place-kicker Nate Freese attempted a 23-yard field goal attempt that caromed off the left upright and Duke ran out the clock for a 20-19 ACC victory. Earlier in the game, Freese missed a point-after attempt that bounced off the right upright.

While Duke quarterback Sean Renfree will handle most of the snaps for the Blue Devils Saturday night against Richmond, his backup Brandon Connette will again play a critical role on offense, primarily as a runner.

Last season, Connette, (6-foot-2, 225 pounds) ran 78 times for 321 yards and eight touchdowns to finish as the team’s second-leading rusher.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe said both quarterbacks will play on Saturday.

DURHAM — There is a temporary sticker of a North Carolina helmet affixed to the front of the Victory Bell. The Tar Heels ought to find something more permanent, maybe a "Property of" plate to weld to the rickety sled.

The Tar Heels took home the Victory Bell, again, on Saturday with a 24-19 win over Duke at Wallace Wade Stadium. UNC has won seven straight and 20 of 21 in the series, including 11 straight at Duke.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe said on Sunday that Sean Renfree will remain the team's starting quarterback despite his recent woes and a six-turnover performance in a 28-13 loss to Miami on Saturday.

"After looking at it, I still believe that Sean Renfree gives us our best chance to win," Cutcliffe said during a teleconference. "He's our starting quarterback."

Duke coach David Cutcliffe wanted Sean Renfree to be relaxed but excited, confident but not too confident.

And, more than anything, a winner in his first career start at quarterback.

Renfree more than did his part Saturday in the Blue Devils' season-opener against Elon, going 31-of-39 passing for 350 yards and two touchdowns in a 41-27 victory over the Phoenix.

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.

DURHAM -- No Duke player was more eager to start fall practice Monday night than quarterback Sean Renfree, who tore his ACL last November and had to sit out spring drills while he rehabbed. Coach David Cutcliffe was impressed with how the sophomore – who must replace four-year starter Thad Lewis -- threw the ball and managed the offense during his first official practice back.

Most significant for Renfree was that he never gave his surgically repaired knee a thought.