Finally, football season is once again upon us.
The annual ACC Football Kickoff was held this week in Charlotte, where players and coaches from around the conference gathered to hold court about the upcoming season. For the Blue Devils, Head coach Mike Elko was joined at the event by junior quarterback Riley Leonard, graduate offensive lineman Jacob Monk and redshirt senior defensive tackle DeWayne Carter.
Coming off a remarkable turnaround in Elko’s first season, the excitement was palpable to hear about the new era of Duke football heading into year two.
No room for complacency
After a 9-4 finish — the seventh nine-win season in Duke football history — the team emphasized the importance of focusing on the season ahead and not looking back.
“We didn't come in to have one positive moment and then kind of let it all go away. We wanted to build a program,” Elko said. “We know for us to be the program we want and to get the respect that we really want … we’ve got to be successful year in and year out. I don't think we're there yet.”
Satisfaction is dangerous for teams, especially with the parity of the current college football landscape. The Blue Devils are using the previous season as a stepping stone, without reminiscing too much on the past achievements.
“We have to build that same foundation that we built last year, and obviously an even better one to take that next step,” Carter said. “The coolest part about it is our coaches do not let us get complacent. We don't really reference last year.”
“[Coach Elko] is great at never letting me become complacent,” Leonard said. “He is always going to be just like my mom, keeping me humble.”
Leonard referenced a bracelet that he wears made by his mom saying “you suck,” along with asking his mom to bash him in order to increase his motivation. This was a theme for the team at media days: continuing to reference humility in the face of success.
“After touchdowns or after I receive my name on some list that ranks me pretty high, I do look down at [the bracelet] and it reminds me: ‘Hey, don't worry about any of that stuff,’” Leonard said. “‘Stay humble, kid, and put your put your nose down and work.’”
Returning experience
One of the biggest advantages for Duke coming into the season is its experience and returning production. The Blue Devils are returning 17 starters — the most in the conference. Many players, including Carter and Monk, decided to come back for their fifth year of eligibility, adding continuity from last year’s turnaround season.
“Our ability to retain our best players speaks about what we're building in Durham,” Elko said. “I think for us to make a statement that really good football players want to stay at Duke and want to be part of not only the program that we're building, but also the university and the degree that we're offering, that's what we hope to build.”
Specifically, every starting offensive playmaker is back, a key for strengthening chemistry and continuing to produce at a high level. Last year, the Blue Devils ranked fourth in the league in total offense and third in rushing yards per game.
“My job is to get the ball to the playmakers and all those guys are coming back,” Leonard said. “So as a quarterback, I'm sitting here smiling because my guys are coming back, and I'm excited to make some plays with them this year.”
The guy “sitting here smiling” also turned in an outstanding season under center after winning the quarterback battle last offseason. Now, with a full offseason as the starter under his belt and his weapons back, the sky is seemingly the limit for the junior gunslinger.
“[Leonard is] a great leader,” Monk said. “Great, really accurate thrower. He's extremely athletic. Makes our job, makes my job much easier.”
This is a veteran team, and the immense amount of returning production will give the Blue Devils an edge in experience against most of their opponents this season. This could prove very valuable given Duke’s difficult schedule.
“Experience matters,” Elko said. “We've got a lot of really experienced players. The three guys on this stage with me have played an awful lot of football at Duke. We're looking forward to those challenges.”
Tough schedule ahead
Last year, Duke’s rebuild was accelerated by the relative ease of its conference schedule, as the Blue Devils dodged many of the teams that led the pack in the ACC for most of the season. This year, that is certainly not the case, as Duke will match up with most of the top programs in the conference during Elko’s second season at the helm.
Duke’s schedule includes showpieces against Florida State and North Carolina, two teams who figure to be in contention for the ACC championship, as well as perennial powerhouse Notre Dame. The frequency of difficult opponents on the Blue Devils’ schedule will make every game extremely important if they want to contend for a conference championship.
In terms of profile, at least, no win would be more important than the season opener: a Sept. 4 matchup with reigning ACC champion Clemson at Wallace Wade Stadium on primetime.
“I think being on that national stage is what we want Duke football to be,” Elko said. “Obviously Clemson has been the gold standard in this conference. We've not shied away from that this entire offseason, that they've done so many things to carry the ACC and be our representative for so long.”
The respect is mutual from the Tigers' side.
"I think Coach Elko is one of the best coaches in the country … what an unbelievable job he did last year, he and his staff," said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. "They got about everybody back. So it's going to be a heck of a game, heck of a matchup."
Although Duke is coming off an impressive season, it will still be the underdog in several of its games this season, especially against those big-time opponents. If the Blue Devils want to show they belong, they will have to find a way to beat the odds and pull a few upsets along the way.
“This whole offseason and last offseason we've been embracing the underdog role,” Monk said. “We're not here to fight it out. We're not here to stay the course. We're here to win.”
The bottom line is that Duke’s daunting schedule cannot be changed, and Elko believes his team will be ready to play whoever is on the other side of the white lines.
“I honestly don't think it's really important for you to even look ahead,” Elko said. “Of course, there's always great talent in our conference. But at the end of the day, you’ve got to focus on one week at a time.”
Carter believes the same.
“I’m excited for people to turn on the TV and actually watch us as a real true blue-collar college football team.”
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Ranjan Jindal is a Trinity junior and sports editor of The Chronicle's 120th volume.