BLACKSBURG, Va. -- The numbers suggested it was the same old Duke: 0-for-11 on third-down conversions, a 387 to 198 deficit in total offense, and a whopping 39:27 to 20:33 disadvantage in time of possession.

The difference was that these Blue Devils won, stunning No. 14 Virginia Tech 13-10 on Saturday, and all but clinching what will be the first consecutive bowl appearances in program history.

"It is a historical victory and they should be proud of that," Duke coach David Cutcliffe, in his sixth season, said. "It is a distinct step in the right direction, and it is a big step."

That joy was not lost on his players, who rallied from a 22-0 deficit a week ago and beat Virginia 35-22, and ended a 12-game losing streak against the Hokies with their first victory in the series since 1981.

"Being a part of a change in the program is the most amazing feeling you can have," linebacker David Helton said after contributing 19 tackles and a key pass deflection. "It feels out of this world."

Anthony Boone ran for a touchdown, Ross Martin kicked two long field goals and the Blue Devils even overcame four turnovers to end a long history of futility against ranked teams.

"This is the reason each one of these players came to Duke," left guard David Harding said. "We came to Duke when it wasn't the cool thing to do. ... There's no luck involved. Our playmakers made plays when they had to."

The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) beat a ranked team for the first time since they stopped No. 13 Virginia in 1994, and beat one on the road for the first time since Stanford in 1971.

"Two unreal field goals, our offense coming through at the end when we needed them," said linebacker Kelby Brown, whose interception with about 4½ minutes to go, and Brandon Connette's 3-yard run on fourth-and-1, allowed the Blue Devils to run out the clock. "We did everything we needed to do to win."