Conner Vernon hauled in 10 catches for 180 yards and a touchdown and broke the school record for career receptions as the Blue Devils beat the Panthers for the second straight season.

Jamison Crowder had six catches for 102 yards and a TD and Josh Snead and Brandon Connette each ran for a score as Duke routed the Sun Belt Conference preseason favorites.

Unlike a year ago, when Duke (1-0) needed to erase a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to overcome FIU (0-1), the Blue Devils took control by scoring 17 points in the final 3 1/2 minutes of the first half.

Renfree (21-of-30) connected with Crowder for a 60-yard scoring pass to build the lead to 27-14 and a field goal by Ross Martin made it 30-14 with 63 seconds left in the half.

FIU got in position for a last-second field goal going into halftime, but the kick was blocked and returned 75 yards for a touchdown by Duke's Ross Cockrell for a stunning 37-14 halftime edge.

Vernon, who had catches of 46 and 49 yards to set up first-half scores, finally got in the end zone in the third quarter on a 28-yard strike from Renfree to give the Blue Devils a 44-14 lead.

Kedrick Rhodes scored twice and had a big night for FIU, rushing for 130 yards and a TD on 25 carries and making seven receptions for 115 yards, including a 67-yard scoring pass. Jake Medlock finished 27-of-45 for 348 yards with two TDs and zero interceptions.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Vernon has caught at least one pass in an FBS-leading 36 consecutive games. He also became the seventh player in ACC history to reach 200 career receptions and surpassed Donovan Varner for the most catches (208) in school history. ... Florida International fell to 0-7 all-time against ACC schools. ... Duke went over 40 points for the eighth time in four seasons. ... The Blue Devils' defense came up with a huge early play, stuffing Rhodes on a fourth-and-1 at the 4-yard line on FIU's second drive of the game with the score tied at 7-7.