DURHAM, NC. -- Northwestern traveled to Wallace Wade Stadium in search of its second win to kick off the 2017 season, but the Wildcats' high-powered offense had trouble replicating its 508 yard performance from last week en route to a 41-17 loss to Duke.
Paddy Fisher led the defense with 18 total tackles and a fumble recovery, while Montre Hartage added 11 tackles and an interception. On the other side of the ball, Justin Jackson found the end zone for his 31st career rushing touchdown, moving him into a tie with Tyrell Sutton for fourth in program history.
The loss moves Northwestern to 1-1 on the season, while Duke remains perfect at 2-0.
The Wildcats got on the board first as first year Charlie Kuhbander connected on a 40-yard field goal, capping off a 10-play drive to put NU up 3-0.
Duke's Daniel Jones had the nation's longest streak for pass attempts without an interception (202 attempts), but on the ensuing drive Hartage snapped that streak as he came down with his first interception of the season.
However, Jones and the Blue Devils answered back late in the first quarter with an 11-yard touchdown run to give Duke a 7-3 lead.
A 52-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Chris Taylor early in the second quarter helped add to the Duke lead. Then on the Blue Devils' next drive, Jones found the end zone from four yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the day to extend the Duke lead to 21-3.
Late in the first half, the Wildcats' defense forced its second turnover of the game when Kyle Queiro laid a big hit on Duke's Brittain Brown to force a fumble, which was recovered by Fisher to give the Wildcats the ball back on their own 46-yard line.
With just 1:35 remaining in the half, the 'Cats wasted no time moving down the field and into the endzone, going 54 yards in just five plays. Clayton Thorson completed three of four passes for 34 yards during the drive, but it was Jackson who found the end zone for a 5-yard touchdown to cut the deficit to 21-10 heading into halftime.
An interception gave the Blue Devils the ball on the 32-yard line early in the third quarter. But after driving into Northwestern territory, the Wildcats' defense held tough in the red zone and forced Duke to a field goal to extend the lead to 24-10.
Duke would add a touchdown and a field goal early in the fourth quarter.
With 2:50 remaining in the game, Matt Alviti connected with Riley Lees for a 20-yard touchdown, the first of Alviti's career.
Northwestern returns to Ryan field next Saturday when it hosts Bowling Green. Kickoff is set 6:30 p.m.. Tickets are available at NUsports.com or by calling 888-GO-PURPLE.