Elon
N/A0-0
Duke
11th ACC3-9
Elon @ Duke preview
Wallace Wade Stadium
After losing its 2009 opener to Richmond, Duke knows better than to take a team like Elon lightly. The Phoenix went 9-3 last year, losing to Richmond in the first round of the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs, and are again ranked in the top 10 of the FCS. It’s the kind of team that could ambush a lower-tier ACC squad that doesn’t show it proper respect.
Duke coach David Cutliffe has the program moving in the right direction. Or at least he did until November, when the Blue Devils lost their final four games to finish 5-7. Still, Cutliffe has nine victories in his two seasons after his predecessors won just 10 the previous eight years.
If Duke doesn't improve on defense and in the running game, the Blue Devils could be vulnerable to almost anybody, including the Elons of the world. Duke was near the bottom of the ACC in most defensive categories last year, and its rushing yardage ranked dead last in the nation.
With the departure of two-time All-ACC quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, a continuation of Duke’s passing proficiency is not a given. But Cutliffe is a renowned quarterback guru and is expected to have redshirt sophomore Sean Renfree ready. The former Parade All-American played in five games last year, coming off the bench to lead a comeback win over Army with two touchdown passes. Renfree had ACL surgery in November but is reportedly healthy again. All of Duke’s top receivers are back, including junior Donovan Varner (65 catches, 1,047 yards, 8 TDs), the ACC’s top returning wideout.
Nine starters return on offense including senior Bryan Morgan, who’s on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s top college center. But the top returning rusher, Desmond Scott, had just 262 yards and one touchdown last year.
One recent Duke weakness that could play right into an Elon strength is pass defense. The Blue Devils struggled in coverage and in pressuring the quarterback last year and now must replace top cornerback Leon Wright. Returning strong safety Matt Daniels led the team with 83 tackles last year.
Elon’s offense is sparked by senior quarterback Sean Riddle, the Southern Conference’s preseason player of the year, who has led his league in passing three straight seasons. He threw for 279 yards a game in 2009. The defense has seven starters back from a unit that held opponents to 248 yards a game. Senior defensive end Brandon Ward, a 6-5, 234-pounder, anchors the line.
Duke learned its lesson last year; the Blue Devils won't get tripped up just yet.
Duke coach David Cutliffe has the program moving in the right direction. Or at least he did until November, when the Blue Devils lost their final four games to finish 5-7. Still, Cutliffe has nine victories in his two seasons after his predecessors won just 10 the previous eight years.
If Duke doesn't improve on defense and in the running game, the Blue Devils could be vulnerable to almost anybody, including the Elons of the world. Duke was near the bottom of the ACC in most defensive categories last year, and its rushing yardage ranked dead last in the nation.
With the departure of two-time All-ACC quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, a continuation of Duke’s passing proficiency is not a given. But Cutliffe is a renowned quarterback guru and is expected to have redshirt sophomore Sean Renfree ready. The former Parade All-American played in five games last year, coming off the bench to lead a comeback win over Army with two touchdown passes. Renfree had ACL surgery in November but is reportedly healthy again. All of Duke’s top receivers are back, including junior Donovan Varner (65 catches, 1,047 yards, 8 TDs), the ACC’s top returning wideout.
Nine starters return on offense including senior Bryan Morgan, who’s on the watch list for the Rimington Trophy, given to the nation’s top college center. But the top returning rusher, Desmond Scott, had just 262 yards and one touchdown last year.
One recent Duke weakness that could play right into an Elon strength is pass defense. The Blue Devils struggled in coverage and in pressuring the quarterback last year and now must replace top cornerback Leon Wright. Returning strong safety Matt Daniels led the team with 83 tackles last year.
Elon’s offense is sparked by senior quarterback Sean Riddle, the Southern Conference’s preseason player of the year, who has led his league in passing three straight seasons. He threw for 279 yards a game in 2009. The defense has seven starters back from a unit that held opponents to 248 yards a game. Senior defensive end Brandon Ward, a 6-5, 234-pounder, anchors the line.
Duke learned its lesson last year; the Blue Devils won't get tripped up just yet.