The 1-0 Blue Devils head to Memphis tomorrow, where they will take on the Tigers at 4:30 p.m. at Liberty Bowl Memorial Stadium. Every week throughout the football season, we'll break down a player on each team who could be the difference-maker in the upcoming contest.
Duke: defensive end Justin Foxx
Foxx was a key component of a Blue Devil defensive line that allowed just 2.8 yard per rush and only 103 yards through the air last week against N.C. Central. If Duke is to improve to 2-0 this week, Foxx will need to succeed in putting pressure on redshirt freshman Paxton Lynch, who will be making the first start of his college career for the Tigers. With an unproven quarterback under center, setting the tone with an early pass rush could be the key to running away with another victory. Foxx was held without a sack last week against the Eagles, but if both Foxx and Kenny Anunike can provide pressure from the outside, it could force a rookie quarterback into some crucial early mistakes.
Memphis: quarterback Paxton Lynch
No question here. The Tigers' redshirt freshman signal-caller holds the key to whether or not the team will improve from a 4-8 finish last season, and will make the first start of his college career Saturday against the Blue Devils. After beating out returning starter and fifth-year senior Jacob Karam for the starting job during the summer, there will be no shortage of pressure on Lynch to perform in front of a home crowd. How he respond will likely decide whether this game ends up closer to the 24-point rout that last year's contest in Durham was or the six-point game that oddsmakers have predicted. Duke's secondary went largely untested against N.C. Central last week, so Lynch will have to try to exploit the Blue Devils' weakest defensive unit from last season if he hopes to lead Memphis to a victory in its home-opener.
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