CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. _ With a chance to make a case for an ACC Coastal Division title contender, Duke looked like the division's worst team instead on Saturday.
The Blue Devils' offense not only sputtered but was plagued by turnovers that allowed Virginia to take control early and roll to a 48-14 win at Scott Stadium.
Duke (4-3, 2-2 ACC) committed five turnovers _ losing three fumbles and two interceptions _ in addition to losing the ball on downs in its own territory when it failed to gain a yard on fourth down.
As a result, Virginia (5-2, 3-1) grabbed a 17-0 halftime lead and piled on the Blue Devils in the third quarter with 24 more points.
Duke's offense managed just 73 yards in the first half with three first downs.
After a scoreless first quarter, Virginia moved ahead on a 1-yard Bryce Perkins touchdown run. That capped a 78-yard drive where Perkins completed four passes in a row to move the Cavaliers inside the Duke 10.
On Duke's next possession, quarterback Quentin Harris was flushed from the pocket on third down. Rolling right, he fired the ball downfield directly to Virginia's Brenton Nelson, who intercepted it and returned the ball to the Duke 21.
The Blue Devils defense held Virginia without a first down but the Cavaliers added a Brian Delaney field goal to lead 10-0 with 8:01 left until halftime.
Duke gained nine yards on its first three plays after the ensuing kickoff. Facing fourth-and-1 from its own 34, Duke left the offense on the field. Harris lined up in the shotgun and ran up the middle only to be stopped for no gain.
Virginia took advantage of the short field as Perkins scored on a 1-yard run with 1:56 left until halftime for a 17-0 Cavaliers lead.
Duke running back Deon Jackson fumbled a handoff from Harris on Duke's first play of the second half, leading to another Virginia field goal.
Wayne Taulapapa's 3-yard touchdown run with 8:13 left in the third quarter gave Virginia a commanding 27-0 lead.
