Upcoming Event: Football at Tulane on September 13, 2025 at 8 p.m.
/
8 p.m.
Football
at Tulane
Game Notes: Clemson
8/31/2023 4:59:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – In the season lid-lifter for both squads, Duke begins its 111th season of football by hosting No. 9 Clemson at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on Monday night.
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Â
The Blue Devils hold an all-time record of 64-43-3 in season-opening games. Duke is 7-3 over its last 10 season-openers, including last year's 30-0 triumph over Temple. Against nationally-ranked opponents, the Blue Devils are 0-13 in season-openers.
Duke has played on Monday just three previous times in its history with the most recent dating back to January 2, 1961, against Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl to conclude the 1960 season. The Blue Devils are 2-1 in Monday games, including the 7-6 victory over the Razorbacks. Additionally, Duke also claimed a 29-26 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1945, to cap the 1944 season. Duke's lone loss on Monday was to No. 7 Southern California, 7-3, in the Rose Bowl on January 2, 1939.Â
This year's season-opening game will mark the 55th on the gridiron between the two schools with Clemson leading the series, 37-16-1. To jumpstart the series in 1934, the Blue Devils captured a 20-6 victory in Durham and won each of the first four games of the series. Clemson comes into the game having won five consecutive and 25 of the last 30 matchups. Duke's last victory came on Nov. 13, 2004, in Durham.
Monday's ESPN broadcast will feature Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek and Tom Luginbill on the call. The game can also be heard on the Blue Devil Sports Network from LEARFIELD through the Varsity app or goduke.com.
Â
HOW TO FOLLOW
Duke (0-0; 9-4 in 2022) vs. [9] Clemson (0-0; 11-3 in 2022)
Monday, September 4, 2023 • 8 PM
Durham, N.C. • Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium
TELEVISION • ESPN
RADIO • Blue Devils Sports Network from LEARFIELD
GAME NOTES • Duke Notes  •  Clemson Notes
LIVE STATS • GoDuke.com
TWITTER • @DukeFOOTBALL
GAME NOTES
In 2022, the Blue Devils went 9-4 overall and 5-2 in ACC play. The season ended in Annapolis, Md., as the Blue Devils earned their fourth-straight bowl win with a 30-13 decision over UCF in the Military Bowl.
Additionally last season, Mike Elko became the first head coach in program history to lead his team to nine wins and a bowl victory in the first season at the helm. After Duke recorded an 0-8 ledger in ACC play in 2021, Elko guided the Blue Devils to a 5-3 mark to match the best one-year improvement by a winless team in league history. The plus-six overall improvement (3 wins in 2021 to 9 victories in 2022) equaled the second-best turnaround in ACC history as well.
Duke returns 19 starters (nine on offense, eight on defense and two on special teams) from a year ago, including seven All-ACC selections in offensive tackle Graham Barton, wide receiver and return specialist Jalon Calhoun, defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, safety Brandon Johnson, quarterback Riley Leonard, center Jacob Monk, and punter Porter Wilson.
Eight Blue Devils have been named to watch lists heading into the 2023 season. Leonard, Carter and Barton highlight the group after being tabbed to multiple watch lists.
LEADING THE WAY
Elected by their teammates, four returning lettermen serve as team captains for the 2023 campaign: DT DeWayne Carter, DT Ja'Mion Franklin, QB Riley Leonard and OL Jacob Monk.
Carter becomes the first three-time team captain in program history, while Monk joins 16 others as a two-time captain.Â
SEASON OPENERS AGAINST ACC OPPONENTS
The Blue Devils have not had a home season opener against a conference opponent since 2001 when they dropped a 55-13 decision to No. 6 Florida State.
Additionally over the last 25 years, Duke has opened the season with a conference foe just three times and are 0-3 in those contests.Â
Year Opponent      Score
2001 [6] Florida State  L, 13-55
2003 at [18] Virginia  L, 0-27
2020 at [10] Notre Dame L, 13-27
WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
In eight of Duke's 13 games in 2022, the Blue Devils won the turnover battle (Temple, Northwestern, North Carolina A&T, Kansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Miami, and UCF). The Blue Devils finished 6-2 during that stretch.
In five of those eight games, Duke failed to turn the ball over during the contest (Temple, Kansas, Virginia, Boston College and UCF).Â
Duke went from 108th (-0.58) in the country in 2021 in turnover margin to second nationally (+1.23) last season.
MARGIN OF DEFEAT
Duke's four losses in 2022 were by a combined 16 points. Of the 10 FBS schools with four losses last season, the Blue Devils' 16-point margin was the lowest. Duke was followed by UCLA (26), Notre Dame (29), Cincinnati (31) and Marshall (33).
SCORING FIRST
Duke finished last season 7-0 when scoring first. In six of those seven games, the Blue Devils registered a touchdown to begin the scoring and five were on the opening drive.
YARDS RETURNING
Duke returns 98.8 percent of its total yards, 99.0 percent of its rushing yards and 98.7 percent of its receiving yards from a year ago.
DUKE'S RUN GAME
Duke finished 2022 ranked second in the ACC in rushing touchdowns (31), third in rushing offense (184.15) and fourth in rushing yards (2,394).
The 31 rushing scores set a program record and were anchored by a quartet of players in QB Riley Leonard (13), RB Jordan Waters (8), RB Jaquez Moore (5), and Jaylen Coleman (480). They formed the first foursome in Blue Devil history to compile four-plus rushing touchdowns in a single-season.
Additionally, the Blue Devils' 2,394 rushing yards last season, were the most since 2015 (2,508). Leonard (699), Waters (566), Moore (508), and Coleman (480) became the first quartet in Duke history to post 400-plus rushing yards in a single-season.
NEARLY EVERY PASS CATCHER RETURNS
Duke enters 2023 returning 98.70 percent of its receptions from the 2022 season. Of the 15 Blue Devils who caught a pass last fall, only Darrell Harding Jr. (three receptions) and Luca Diamont (one) do not return to the squad. Four of those returning 13 players surpassed 345-plus receiving yards in 2022, while three logged four-plus touchdowns.
2,000 & 3,000
Last season, Blue Devils became just the fourth team in program lore to register 2,000 rushing (2,394) and 3,000 passing yards (3,010) in the same season (2013, 2015, and 2018).Â
Duke's 3,000 passing yards were the most since 2018 and marked the 12th time in program history a Blue Devil team achieved the mark -- 2022 (3,010), 2018 (3,199), 2015 (3,204), 2013 (3,474), 2012 (3,691), 2011 (3,266), 2010 (3,256), 2009 (3,660), 1989 (3,553), 1988 (3,868), 1987 (3,443), and 1982 (3,349).Â
EIGHT STARTERS RETURNING
Duke brings back eight starters from its 2022 unit, including third team All-American DeWayne Carter at defensive tackle.Â
DEFENSIVE PRESENCE
Duke's defensive unit ranked fourth in the ACC in 2022 in rushing defense, allowing just 121.62 yards per outing, and held five-of-12 opponents to under 100 yards rushing for an average of just 3.73 yards per carry with eight rushing scores.
Duke became the seventh team in program history to hold its opponents to less than 15 rushing scores in a single-season after allowing just 10 in 2022. Since 1970, there had only been five Duke teams that held its opponents to less than 15 rushing scores in a single-season.Â
Duke Single-Season Rushing TDs Allowed Since 1970
Rank Year  Number
1.  2022  10
2.  1971  11
3.  1972  12
   1985   12
5.  1973   14
Additionally, the Blue Devils held five opponents to 21 points or less, easily surpassing the 2021 total of one. Duke yielded more than 35 points just two times against Kansas (35) and North Carolina (38).
BREAKIN' UP
Duke's defensive back unit compiled 59 pass breakups in 2022 to rank fourth in the ACC, trailing only Clemson (70), Pittsburgh (67), and Wake Forest (63). The Blue Devils were one of two schools in the conference with five players with six-plus pass breakups on the year.
FOURTH DOWN DEFENSE
The Blue Devils' fourth down defense in 2022 limited opponents to just 11-of-26 attempts. Duke's conversion percentage allowed of .423 ranked 26th in the country.
LEADING THE COUNTRY IN PUNT RETURN AVERAGE
The Blue Devils are coming off a season in which they led the country in punt return average with a mark of 19.92. The punt return unit was comprised of redshirt senior Jalon Calhoun (nine returns for 113 yards) and redshirt sophomore Sahmir Hagans (four returns for 146 yards with one score). Both are back in 2023.
LIMITING PUNT RETURNS
The Blue Devils held opponents to just 74 punt return yards last season. An average of just 5.69 yards per return. The longest return Duke allowed was a 16-yarder against Kansas. Duke's opponent yards per return ranked 37th nationally, and placed fifth in the ACC behind Virginia Tech (2.91), Miami (3.80), Pittsburgh (4.83) and Louisville (5.52).
STINSON BACK IN KOR ROLE
Senior Jaylen Stinson returns as Duke's primary kickoff return specialist after serving in the role last fall. The Opelika, Ala., native led the team with 15 kickoff returns for 380 yards (25.33) in 2022. He carded a season-best three kickoff returns against Virginia and Wake Forest and tallied a year-high 82 return yards against the Demon Deacons. He finished the season having had six kickoff returns that covered 20-plus yards.Â
For his career, Stinson has 66 kickoff returns for 1,553 yards (23.53) with two scores.
#GoDuke
Â
Kickoff is set for 8 p.m., and the game will be broadcast live on ESPN.
Â
The Blue Devils hold an all-time record of 64-43-3 in season-opening games. Duke is 7-3 over its last 10 season-openers, including last year's 30-0 triumph over Temple. Against nationally-ranked opponents, the Blue Devils are 0-13 in season-openers.
Duke has played on Monday just three previous times in its history with the most recent dating back to January 2, 1961, against Arkansas in the Cotton Bowl to conclude the 1960 season. The Blue Devils are 2-1 in Monday games, including the 7-6 victory over the Razorbacks. Additionally, Duke also claimed a 29-26 win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl on January 1, 1945, to cap the 1944 season. Duke's lone loss on Monday was to No. 7 Southern California, 7-3, in the Rose Bowl on January 2, 1939.Â
This year's season-opening game will mark the 55th on the gridiron between the two schools with Clemson leading the series, 37-16-1. To jumpstart the series in 1934, the Blue Devils captured a 20-6 victory in Durham and won each of the first four games of the series. Clemson comes into the game having won five consecutive and 25 of the last 30 matchups. Duke's last victory came on Nov. 13, 2004, in Durham.
Monday's ESPN broadcast will feature Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek and Tom Luginbill on the call. The game can also be heard on the Blue Devil Sports Network from LEARFIELD through the Varsity app or goduke.com.
Â
HOW TO FOLLOW
Duke (0-0; 9-4 in 2022) vs. [9] Clemson (0-0; 11-3 in 2022)
Monday, September 4, 2023 • 8 PM
Durham, N.C. • Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium
TELEVISION • ESPN
RADIO • Blue Devils Sports Network from LEARFIELD
GAME NOTES • Duke Notes  •  Clemson Notes
LIVE STATS • GoDuke.com
TWITTER • @DukeFOOTBALL
GAME NOTES
In 2022, the Blue Devils went 9-4 overall and 5-2 in ACC play. The season ended in Annapolis, Md., as the Blue Devils earned their fourth-straight bowl win with a 30-13 decision over UCF in the Military Bowl.
Additionally last season, Mike Elko became the first head coach in program history to lead his team to nine wins and a bowl victory in the first season at the helm. After Duke recorded an 0-8 ledger in ACC play in 2021, Elko guided the Blue Devils to a 5-3 mark to match the best one-year improvement by a winless team in league history. The plus-six overall improvement (3 wins in 2021 to 9 victories in 2022) equaled the second-best turnaround in ACC history as well.
Duke returns 19 starters (nine on offense, eight on defense and two on special teams) from a year ago, including seven All-ACC selections in offensive tackle Graham Barton, wide receiver and return specialist Jalon Calhoun, defensive tackle DeWayne Carter, safety Brandon Johnson, quarterback Riley Leonard, center Jacob Monk, and punter Porter Wilson.
Eight Blue Devils have been named to watch lists heading into the 2023 season. Leonard, Carter and Barton highlight the group after being tabbed to multiple watch lists.
LEADING THE WAY
Elected by their teammates, four returning lettermen serve as team captains for the 2023 campaign: DT DeWayne Carter, DT Ja'Mion Franklin, QB Riley Leonard and OL Jacob Monk.
Carter becomes the first three-time team captain in program history, while Monk joins 16 others as a two-time captain.Â
SEASON OPENERS AGAINST ACC OPPONENTS
The Blue Devils have not had a home season opener against a conference opponent since 2001 when they dropped a 55-13 decision to No. 6 Florida State.
Additionally over the last 25 years, Duke has opened the season with a conference foe just three times and are 0-3 in those contests.Â
Year Opponent      Score
2001 [6] Florida State  L, 13-55
2003 at [18] Virginia  L, 0-27
2020 at [10] Notre Dame L, 13-27
WINNING THE TURNOVER BATTLE
In eight of Duke's 13 games in 2022, the Blue Devils won the turnover battle (Temple, Northwestern, North Carolina A&T, Kansas, Virginia, North Carolina, Miami, and UCF). The Blue Devils finished 6-2 during that stretch.
In five of those eight games, Duke failed to turn the ball over during the contest (Temple, Kansas, Virginia, Boston College and UCF).Â
Duke went from 108th (-0.58) in the country in 2021 in turnover margin to second nationally (+1.23) last season.
MARGIN OF DEFEAT
Duke's four losses in 2022 were by a combined 16 points. Of the 10 FBS schools with four losses last season, the Blue Devils' 16-point margin was the lowest. Duke was followed by UCLA (26), Notre Dame (29), Cincinnati (31) and Marshall (33).
SCORING FIRST
Duke finished last season 7-0 when scoring first. In six of those seven games, the Blue Devils registered a touchdown to begin the scoring and five were on the opening drive.
YARDS RETURNING
Duke returns 98.8 percent of its total yards, 99.0 percent of its rushing yards and 98.7 percent of its receiving yards from a year ago.
DUKE'S RUN GAME
Duke finished 2022 ranked second in the ACC in rushing touchdowns (31), third in rushing offense (184.15) and fourth in rushing yards (2,394).
The 31 rushing scores set a program record and were anchored by a quartet of players in QB Riley Leonard (13), RB Jordan Waters (8), RB Jaquez Moore (5), and Jaylen Coleman (480). They formed the first foursome in Blue Devil history to compile four-plus rushing touchdowns in a single-season.
Additionally, the Blue Devils' 2,394 rushing yards last season, were the most since 2015 (2,508). Leonard (699), Waters (566), Moore (508), and Coleman (480) became the first quartet in Duke history to post 400-plus rushing yards in a single-season.
NEARLY EVERY PASS CATCHER RETURNS
Duke enters 2023 returning 98.70 percent of its receptions from the 2022 season. Of the 15 Blue Devils who caught a pass last fall, only Darrell Harding Jr. (three receptions) and Luca Diamont (one) do not return to the squad. Four of those returning 13 players surpassed 345-plus receiving yards in 2022, while three logged four-plus touchdowns.
2,000 & 3,000
Last season, Blue Devils became just the fourth team in program lore to register 2,000 rushing (2,394) and 3,000 passing yards (3,010) in the same season (2013, 2015, and 2018).Â
Duke's 3,000 passing yards were the most since 2018 and marked the 12th time in program history a Blue Devil team achieved the mark -- 2022 (3,010), 2018 (3,199), 2015 (3,204), 2013 (3,474), 2012 (3,691), 2011 (3,266), 2010 (3,256), 2009 (3,660), 1989 (3,553), 1988 (3,868), 1987 (3,443), and 1982 (3,349).Â
EIGHT STARTERS RETURNING
Duke brings back eight starters from its 2022 unit, including third team All-American DeWayne Carter at defensive tackle.Â
DEFENSIVE PRESENCE
Duke's defensive unit ranked fourth in the ACC in 2022 in rushing defense, allowing just 121.62 yards per outing, and held five-of-12 opponents to under 100 yards rushing for an average of just 3.73 yards per carry with eight rushing scores.
Duke became the seventh team in program history to hold its opponents to less than 15 rushing scores in a single-season after allowing just 10 in 2022. Since 1970, there had only been five Duke teams that held its opponents to less than 15 rushing scores in a single-season.Â
Duke Single-Season Rushing TDs Allowed Since 1970
Rank Year  Number
1.  2022  10
2.  1971  11
3.  1972  12
   1985   12
5.  1973   14
Additionally, the Blue Devils held five opponents to 21 points or less, easily surpassing the 2021 total of one. Duke yielded more than 35 points just two times against Kansas (35) and North Carolina (38).
BREAKIN' UP
Duke's defensive back unit compiled 59 pass breakups in 2022 to rank fourth in the ACC, trailing only Clemson (70), Pittsburgh (67), and Wake Forest (63). The Blue Devils were one of two schools in the conference with five players with six-plus pass breakups on the year.
FOURTH DOWN DEFENSE
The Blue Devils' fourth down defense in 2022 limited opponents to just 11-of-26 attempts. Duke's conversion percentage allowed of .423 ranked 26th in the country.
LEADING THE COUNTRY IN PUNT RETURN AVERAGE
The Blue Devils are coming off a season in which they led the country in punt return average with a mark of 19.92. The punt return unit was comprised of redshirt senior Jalon Calhoun (nine returns for 113 yards) and redshirt sophomore Sahmir Hagans (four returns for 146 yards with one score). Both are back in 2023.
LIMITING PUNT RETURNS
The Blue Devils held opponents to just 74 punt return yards last season. An average of just 5.69 yards per return. The longest return Duke allowed was a 16-yarder against Kansas. Duke's opponent yards per return ranked 37th nationally, and placed fifth in the ACC behind Virginia Tech (2.91), Miami (3.80), Pittsburgh (4.83) and Louisville (5.52).
STINSON BACK IN KOR ROLE
Senior Jaylen Stinson returns as Duke's primary kickoff return specialist after serving in the role last fall. The Opelika, Ala., native led the team with 15 kickoff returns for 380 yards (25.33) in 2022. He carded a season-best three kickoff returns against Virginia and Wake Forest and tallied a year-high 82 return yards against the Demon Deacons. He finished the season having had six kickoff returns that covered 20-plus yards.Â
For his career, Stinson has 66 kickoff returns for 1,553 yards (23.53) with two scores.
#GoDuke
Â
Players Mentioned
OL
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DT
/ Football
RB
/ Football
WR
/ Football
DT
/ Football
WR
/ Football
WR
/ Football
N
/ Football
QB
/ Football
OL
/ Football
RB
/ Football
S
/ Football
RB
/ Football
P
/ FootballCoach Patke Press Conference: Tulane
Monday, September 08
Coach Brewer Press Conference: Tulane
Monday, September 08
Coach Diaz Press Conference: Tulane
Monday, September 08
Vincent Anthony Jr. Postgame: Illinois
Saturday, September 06
