NU responds, up 17-10 at half

While Simmons did not break it loose, he broke a few tackles on a 24-yard return, but the return was negated with an illegal block in the back penalty. 

Penalties killed Northwestern a year ago, and while it's too early to tell, NU might be getting a little lazy. A holding penalty on second down extending Duke's last scoring drive and this penalty brings the inside its own 10 yard line.

Interesting play calling by Mick McCall to end the half. McCall opted to run the ball on the drives first five plays instead of passing and did not call a timeout until 27 seconds remained on the clock. 

Bacher did his Peterman for a 28 yard gain down to the Duke 32 yard line with 20 seconds remaining, and fired one incomplete intended for Andrew Brewer. 

On second down, Bacher fired complete to Omar Conteh on the screen pass, who juked and jumped over attempted tackles before gaining 21 yards down to the Duke 11-yard line. 

NU lined up like they were going for a touchdown on first down, but Bacher ran backwards and to the center of the field, sliding at the 17 yard line, lining up a dead-on field goal for Amado Villarreal. 

Duke took two timeouts trying to 'ice' Villarreal, but you could not ice the ice man. Villarreal's 35-yard kick split the uprights. 

At halftime, Northwestern leads 17-10 after a 9 play, 75 yard drive in 2 minutes and 13 seconds.