Phil Jurkovec threw two touchdown passes in his first game for Boston College in a 26-6 season-opening victory at Duke on Saturday afternoon in Durham, N.C.

The outcome provided a successful head coaching debut for Jeff Hafley, a former co-defensive coordinator at Ohio State.

Boston College, which relied on a rushing attack a year ago, turned to the air and Jurkovec -- a transfer from Notre Dame -- was on target in the Atlantic Coast Conference game. He completed 17 of 23 passes for 300 yards with an interception.

Tight end Hunter Long made a 9-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter when the Eagles went 80 yards in four plays.

The next time Boston College had the ball, the first play of the possession resulted in Jurkovec's 61-yard touchdown strike to Zay Flowers, who finished with 162 receiving yards on five catches. Suddenly, it was a 23-6 advantage for the Eagles.

Boston College improved to 9-2 in the last 11 games in which it has opened a season on the road.

Duke, which is 0-2 for the first time since 2011, committed five turnovers. Two of those came inside the Boston College 5-yard line.

Quarterback Chase Brice of Duke was 23-for-42 for 217 yards. He was intercepted twice and lost a fumble.

Boston College led 7-6 at halftime. Cornerback Josh DeBerry's strip for a fumble gave the Eagles the ball at the Duke 12-yard line early in the third quarter.

The Blue Devils limited the damage to Danny Longman's 24-yard field goal. But it was the beginning of 19 consecutive points for the Eagles.

Boston College scored on its opening possession, with running back David Bailey's 1-yard plunge.

Duke cornerback Mark Gilbert, who received All-American honors in 2017 but hadn't played since early in the 2018 season because of injuries, secured an interception later in the first quarter. The Blue Devils took advantage, scoring on running back Mataeo Durant's 49-yard run.

Boston College had only 19 first-half rushing yards.

The game was held without spectators because of pandemic-related state restrictions.

--Field Level Media