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Duke has three games remaining after a loss to North Carolina, and it's clear the Blue Devils are intent on making the most of them.

With the annual game against their rivals coming earlier on the schedule than normal, the Blue Devils were planning to move on after a loss in which there seemed to be a physical toll as well.

Coach David Cutcliffe said the Tar Heels wounded his team, which seemed rather staggered by the end of the 19-6 loss.

"Pretty beat up," Cutcliffe said. "It's not ideal going in to play the wishbone (with Georgia Tech coming up on the schedule)."

The Blue Devils can't dwell on the latest result because they have a home showdown against the ACC Coastal Division-leading Yellow Jackets this week. A victory in that game would put Duke in position to contend for a spot in the ACC title game.

"Guys are going to forget this, and tomorrow is a new day," Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis said.

Yet there's plenty to learn from the North Carolina game. The Blue Devils didn't score a touchdown, and that was a bit of a shock considering some of the offensive numbers they've put up this season.

--K Nick Maggio kicked two first-half field goals against North Carolina in his first game at Kenan Stadium since missing two late-game field goals in an overtime loss to the Tar Heels two seasons ago. Maggio was filling for K Will Snyderwine, who booted five field goals a week earlier at Virginia but was deemed unable to play against North Carolina because of a pregame quad injury.

--Duke's inability to run the ball effectively showed up in a big way in the defeat at North Carolina. Take away two scrambles by QB Thaddeus Lewis in the same third-quarter possession, and the Blue Devils were minus-21 yards on 17 attempts. Their running backs had a total of 6 rushing yards in the game.

GAME BALL GOES TO: S Catron Gainey -- He matched his career high for tackles with 12, and he was one of the players who seemed willing to match North Carolina's physical play. He was credited with 10 solo stops. Gainey, a senior, hadn't had more than eight tackles in any previous game this year.

KEEP AN EYE ON: WR Johnny Williams -- He kept his streak alive with a catch in every game this season by making one reception for 12 yards. But he averaged 24 yards on four kickoff returns, giving the Blue Devils what little spark they could generate with the ball. His 38-yard return was nearly an even bigger gain. Perhaps most notably, he has 59 career catches in two seasons with only one touchdown.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "I just didn't feel good about trying a kick in that circumstance. I did feel good that we would make it on fourth down, but they got their hand on the ball, and we didn't successfully complete the fourth down." -- Coach David Cutcliffe, on his decision to go for it on fourth-and-4 from the North Carolina 35-yard line early in the fourth quarter. That attempt failed, though the Blue Devils converted their other fourth-down attempt in the game. Still, that was below their season average because they came into the game successful on 10 of 16 fourth downs.

LOOKING GOOD: Duke's pass defense was solid against a highly regarded young group of North Carolina receivers. The secondary provided solid coverage, many times forcing North Carolina QB T.J. Yates to check off his early options. If the Blue Devils had done a better job covering the tight end, it would have been even better.

For the most part, the Blue Devils kept the pass catchers under wraps after they made receptions. The Tar Heels gained less than 7.5 yards per catch.

STILL NEEDS WORK: Duke had been able to mix up its contributions from QB Thaddeus Lewis, who has had double-digit carries (albeit some actually sacks) in four consecutive games. But he was stuck behind the line of scrimmage on a few designed running plays against North Carolina. Then, twice on the first possession of the third quarter, Lewis scrambled for first-down runs. Those two plays were rarities, as it turned out.

ROSTER REPORT

--QB Thaddeus Lewis exited Saturday's game at North Carolina with less than three minutes remaining. It came after he took a hit in which a North Carolina player was penalized for a late hit. And it came amid a sequence when rough play seemed to be taking over. Lewis said afterward that he was fine and didn't have a specific injury.

--S Jordon Byas blocked a first-quarter punt at North Carolina. It was the first time North Carolina had a punt blocked since 2006. Byas also delivered a devastating block during teammate CB Leon Wright's interception return in the third quarter.

--WR Conner Vernon suffered a first-quarter injury when he was drilled on a pass breakup by North Carolina LB Bruce Carter. After missing some time, he returned to make several catches during a drive for a field goal late in the first half. But it might have taken its toll because Vernon, a freshman, finished with a season-low 21 receiving yards. Still, he set the school's record for freshman receiving yards by moving to 583 yards this year.

Previous Report: 11/03/2009