DUKE -- The learning curve for the Duke football team reached another level Friday night. The Tigers were in a position to possibly sneak up on a unsuspecting Merritt squad and earn its second victory of the season.

However, the Oilers didn't take any chances with an improving Duke team that is in its first year of playing football. They punished the Tigers 47-0 at Duke.

The loss drops the Tigers to 1-4 on the season as it still is seeking its first victory against a varsity opponent.

The touchdowns came quick and often for Merritt on Friday night. The Oilers began the contest with a 11 play, three-minute drive that concluded with quarterback Ryan Wolcott going around the left corner for a touchdown. Wolcott was able to break loose of Duke's Clay Darby before reaching paydirt.

With a 7-0 advantage the Oilers attempted an onside kick. But the Tigers were quick to react and recovered the ball on Merritt's 45-yard line.

However, Duke was unable to capitalize on the prime real estate. A tackle for loss and two incomplete passes were all the home team could muster on their first possession.

A botched punt attempt by Duke then gave Merritt the ball on the Tiger's 22-yard line. The Oilers promptly scored when Wolcott hit Adam Pettit for a 12-yard touchdown pass. The Oilers led 14-0 with more than 8 minutes left in the first quarter.

Offensively Duke tried to take advantage of the wind being at its back by going deep several times in the first quarter. But quarterback Migel Ybarra and his receivers were unable to connect for the big play.

Yet, Merritt was full of big plays. It capped the first period with a 50-yard touchdown run by Michael Lowe and a short scoring scamper from Shawn McPherson.

By the time the first quarter ended Merritt held a convincing 34-0 lead and began substituting its starters.

After falling behind 41-0 Duke went to its running game and that meant a heavy dose of Jackie Hamersley and Jacob Stephens. They rammed into the middle of the line and picked up hard earned yards on the Oilers side of the field. But it was not enough to get the Tigers in the end zone.

Merritt added a final touchdown in the second half to complete the scoring on the night.

The Oilers' PJ Posey led all rushers with 117 yards. But Wolcott did most of the damage with 107 yards rushing, 75 yards passing and four touchdowns (2 rush, 2 pass).

Duke looks to get back on the winning track October 15 when it hosts Bray-Doyle.

How they scored:

M-Wolcott 8 yd. run (Lowe kick)

M-Wolcott 5 yd. pass to Pettit (Lowe kick)

M-Wolcott 55 yd. pass to Dixon (Lowe kick)

M-Lowe 50 yd. run (Lowe kick)

M-Dixon 2 yd. run (kick failed)

M-Dobbins 4 yd. run (PAT)

M-Merritt Touchdown (PAT failed)