Duke was the surprise team of the ACC in 2022, posting a nine-win season and a bowl victory under first-year head coach Mike Elko. With nine starters returning to an offense that averaged 38.25 points/game, there’s little reason to doubt a repeat performance.
Elko, a longtime defensive coordinator, also turned around the defense, limiting opponents to 22.1 points/game. The Blue Devils were competitive almost every time out with three of their four losses decided by a field goal or less. Elko pointed to three factors that sparked the turnaround: Improved turnover margin, running the football effectively and stopping the run.
Duke will be tested immediately as the Blue Devils open the season with a home date against Clemson on Sept. 4.
Duke head coach Mike Elko at ACC Kickoff
RETURNING STARTERS
OFFENSE (9)
QB • Riley Leonard • Jr.
WR • Jalon Calhoun • Sr.
WR • Eli Pancol • Sr.
WR • Jordan Moore • Jr.
RB • Jaylen Coleman • Sr.
RB • Jordan Waters • Sr.
LT • Graham Barton • So.
OL • Jacob Monk • Sr.
OL • Maurice McIntyre • Sr.
DEFENSE (7)
DT • DeWayne Carter • Sr.
DT • Ja’Mion Franklin • Sr.
DE • Vincent Anthony, Jr. • So.
DE • R.J. Oben • Sr.
LB • Cam Dillon • Sr.
Nickel • Brandon Johnson • Sr.
S • Jaylen Stinson • Sr.
Duke 2023 Schedule
Sept. 4 vs. Clemson
Sept. 9 vs. Lafayette
Sept. 16 vs. Northwestern
Sept. 23 at UConn
Sept. 30 vs. Notre Dame
Oct. 14 vs. NC State
Oct. 21 at Florida State
Oct. 28 at Louisville
Nov. 2 vs. Wake Forest
Nov. 11 at North Carolina
Nov. 18 at Virginia
Nov. 25 vs. Pittsburgh
2022 Results
Overall: 9-4 ACC: 5-3
Sept. 2 vs. Temple W 30-0
Sept. 10 at Northwestern W 31-23
Sept. 17 vs. NC A&T W 49-20
Sept. 24 at Kansas L 35-27
Oct. 1 vs. Virginia W 38-17
Oct. 8 at Georgia Tech L 23-20 (OT)
Oct. 15 vs. North Carolina L 38-35
Oct. 22 at Miami (FL) W 45-21
Nov. 4 at Boston College W 38-31
Nov. 12 vs. Virginia Tech W 24-7
Nov. 19 at Pittsburgh L 28-26
Nov. 26 vs. Wake Forest W 34-31
Dec. 28 Military Bowl, Annapolis Md. vs. UCF W 30-13
