Read more about the article Jaylen Stinson was quick to his feet to provide Duke with an early touchdown
Duke Football takes on the Virginia Tech Hokies at the Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on October 3, 2020 at Durham, North Carolina.

Jaylen Stinson was quick to his feet to provide Duke with an early touchdown

PHOTO: Duke's Jaylen Stinson. By TOM SHANAHAN The oblong ball seems to bounce a team's way in a winning football season. In a frustrating losing season with wins left on the field, it bounces away. Duke’s struggling football team appeared to finally have the ball bounce its way in the first four minutes of Saturday’s ACC home game against Virginia Tech. On the Blue Devils’ first punt, Virginia Tech punt returner Tayvion Robinson fumbled the descending ball and…

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Three quick takes from Virginia Tech-Duke

By TOM SHANAHAN COVID-19 COACH OF THE YEAR The COVID-19 impacted college football season needs another award added to the post-season list: “COVID-19 Coach of the Year.” Virginia Tech’s Justin Fuente is the clear front-runner for learning to adapt to the pandemic that has altered nearly all phases of game planning. He's team that had its opener against Virginia postponed is now 2-0. His Hokies took home a 38-31 win over Duke (0-4) Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium…

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Game-planning and predictions tested through COVID-19 practice limitations

PHOTO: Jalon Calhoun (5) at Virginia. By TOM SHANAHAN College football always has been hard to predict. Outside of No. 1-ranked Clemson and No. 2 Alabama attracting 5-star recruits like lemmings to tip the talent scales, it’s easy to overestimate or underestimate teams. And that’s in a normal season, without a COVID-19 pandemic. All routines – football coaches, like generals, love regimentation -- have been altered. It started with teams missing all or most of spring football. That’s…

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