Postscript, Duke

As fans – hell, as human – we’re conditioned to think of things in terms of comps.

(This is the part where Robert would like me to remind you that this isn’t him, it’s Nathan. Hello again everybody.)

White slot receiver? That’s Danny Amendola. Relatively unathletic three-point specialist? Hey look, it’s the next JJ Redick. We can’t help it. The best way to make sense of something is to relate it to a thing we’ve seen before.

There were a lot of pivotal moments, plays and series in Saturday’s game, but one that I don’t think is getting enough attention is the game-sealing drive in the middle of the fourth quarter. The Illini and the Blue Devils had been trading scores in the third quarter and Duke seemed poised to cut into Illinois’ 12-point lead with another quick, methodical move down the field before Tanner Heckel got his fingertips on a Darian Mensah pass for the fourth Illini takeaway of the game.

The ensuing drive started at their own 11-yard line with 10:50 remaining on the clock. A three-and-out or an abbreviated drive that ended with a punt would have given Duke plenty of time to score, make a defensive stand and try to win the game with its last possession. Keeping the ball – and the clock – moving was paramount.

What followed was a 12-play, 89-yard touchdown drive that took 6:45 off the clock and essentially ended the game. Down two scores with nine minutes left? Within reach. Down three scores with four minutes left? Unattainable.

As the drive was happening, my mind made a comp. I wasn’t the only one, as friend of IlliniBoard and notorious pants remover Bob Zuppke had the same thought: