Duke starting quarterback Sean Renfree spent most of the first half throwing swing passes instead of looking downfield. CREDIT: Marcio Jose Sanchez, AP

Sunday reflections on Duke's 50-13 loss at Stanford took the form of a Monday newspaper story this week. With minimal more ado, a triaged list of concerns and issues for the Blue Devils. Naturally, the most pressing is at the top.

And yes, Nos. 1 and 2 cover pretty much the entire offense. Echoing that thought, head coach David Cutcliffe called the first half the worst offensive performance Duke has turned in during his five-year tenure.

1. The passing game

The most serious problem is also the most unexpected. With fifth-year senior and three-year starter Sean Renfree under center, and one of the ACC’s most prolific receivers in conference history, Conner Vernon, in the fold, the passing attack figured to be one of Duke’s strengths. But the Blue Devils seemed reluctant to attempt anything other than a swing pass to either the right or left flat in the first half against Stanford, trying the move 13 times. Only two of those went for more than five yards, as the Cardinal linebackers quickly figured out the game plan and used their speed to swarm the receiver as soon as he caught the ball.

“We stuck to the game plan,” said backup quarterback Anthony Boone, who relieved Renfree in the third quarter. “We didn’t change the game plan, but the defense did a really good job executing their twists and getting after their pass rushes, disrupting our backfield and our run game.”

News & Observer staff and wire reports

Stanford had seven points on the board before its offense even touched the ball.

But once quarterback Josh Nunes and the Cardinal took the field, the first-team offense wasted no time, embarking on seven scoring drives, none of which lasted longer than 3:05. Stanford rolled over, around and through Duke, 50-13.

“Bottom line is we didn’t get it done,” Cutcliffe said, adding that his team may have been complacent coming off its win against FIU. “There are no excuses.”

STANFORD, Calif. — Eight games is enough to convince Mark Gottfried that N.C. State's basketball team is headed in the right direction.

Almost daily, since Gottfried was hired in April, he had been preaching that the Wolfpack program, five-plus years removed from its last NCAA tournament appearance and coming off a 15-16 season, had a "long way to go."

After Sunday's disappointing 76-72 loss at Stanford, the second straight close call against a major conference opponent, Gottfried admitted Sunday that the Pack, with a 5-3 record, is "close" to being a good team.

STANFORD, Calif. — Mark Gottfried wants his N.C. State team to learn how to win.

For the second time in as many games, the Wolfpack couldn't close out a second-half lead. Stanford came back from a 12-point deficit to beat State, 76-72 on Sunday at Maples Pavilion.

Josh Owens (19 points) and Aaron Bright (15) led the comeback for the Cardinal, which trailed 52-40 and then 61-52 with 7:38 left.

CHAPEL HILL -- North Carolina moves on to another College World Series.

The Tar Heels rode the strong arm of freshman lefthander Kent Emanuel and their stout bats to a gritty 7-5 victory over Stanford on Saturday, rallying from a one-run deficit with a three-run effort in the top of the fourth inning.

Once on top, the Heels opened a 6-1 lead in the seventh inning, then survived a four-run inning by the Cardinal in the top of the eighth. The Heels overcame a three-hour, 32-minute rain delay and held on for their 16th consecutive post-season home victory in the NCAA's best-of-three Super Regional series before an announced crowd of 3,749 at Boshamer Stadium.

Now it’s off to the College World Series in Omaha, Neb., on June 18-29. The Heels (50-14) will make their fifth appearance since 2006.

CARY — Melissa Henderson had led Notre Dame in goals and assists this year, but when she failed to score, she did the next best thing.

Her assist and the ensuing goal provided all the points needed in Notre Dame’s 1-0 win over Stanford in the NCAA Women’s College Cup championship at WakeMed Soccer Park Sunday.

CARY – Top-seeded Stanford eventually distanced itself from Boston College late on Friday night, collecting a 2-0 victory in the semifinals of the NCAA Women's College Cup at WakeMed Stadium.

After forward Lindsay Taylor scored its second goal in the 86th minute, Stanford relaxed and leaned on its history. Since 2006, no team had defeated the Cardinal once it scored two goals in a game.

Staff photo by Chuck Liddy

• First Look

DURHAM (AP) — Karima Christmas scored 10 of her career-high 14 points in the second half and chased down the critical rebound that led No. 8 Duke past No. 3 Stanford 56-52 on Tuesday night.

Chante Black added 14 points for the Blue Devils (7-1), who never trailed in the second half in snapping Stanford's six-game winning streak. Duke improved its nonconference record at Cameron Indoor Stadium to 53-4 over the past eight seasons.