Duke Defeats Elon in Diaz Debut

Friday, August 30

Durham, N.C.

7:30 p.m.

Duke University

Elon

Photo by: Duke Athletics

Duke Defeats Elon in Diaz Debut

8/30/2024 10:46:00 PM | Football

Box Score Duke Postgame Notes (PDF)Duke Quotes (PDF)Elon Postgame Notes (PDF)Elon Quotes (PDF)Coach Manny Diaz: Postgame Press Conference Eli Pancol: Postgame Press Conference Cameron Bergeron: Postgame Press Conference Photo Gallery Photo Gallery

DURHAM, N.C. – Duke earned its third consecutive season-opening victory and head coach Manny Diaz won his debut with the Blue Devils during a 26-3 triumph against Elon on Friday night at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Redshirt sophomore quarterback Maalik Murphy made his first appearance for Duke and led the offense going through the air for 291 yards and two scores.

The Blue Devils amassed 16 tackles for loss, the most by Duke since 2007, along with eight sacks, a mark not reached by the Blue Devils since 2019. Senior linebacker Cameron Bergeron led the way with a team-high eight takedowns with 2.5 hits for a loss and an assisted sack, while junior defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr. tallied six stops and contributed on three sacks - one solo and two assisted.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Starting on defense, the Blue Devils forced a quick three-and-out, highlighted by a nine-yard sack by Wesley Williams and Vincent Anthony Jr., on third down. Duke received the ensuing punt and marched 68 yards down the field in 14 plays, capping off the drive with a 32-yard field goal from Todd Pelino.
The two teams traded punts for several possessions before Elon reached the edge of field goal range with just under two minutes before halftime. A 49-yard attempt by the Phoenix kicker clanged off the crossbar and handed Duke the ball shortly before intermission.
An explosive 55-yard catch and run by from Maalik Murphy and Eli Pancol set the Blue Devils up in the redzone and Jaquez Moore ran it in from seven yards out to give Duke its first touchdown of the season and a 10-point lead at the break.
Duke opened the second half with a scoring drive, courtesy of a 42-yard boot from Pelino. The Blue Devils' defense continued to hold stout, logging another sack, and Murphy connected with Jordan Moore on a 47-yard pass down the sideline to set up a one-yard touchdown catch by Jeremiah Hasley.
The Blue Devils composed a 10-play, 63-yard drive midway through the final quarter, capped by a 7-yard touchdown pass from Murphy to Pancol to extend the advantage to 26-0.
Elon tallied its lone score on the final drive, using 11 plays to travel 54 yards, setting up a 39-yard field goal by Jack Berkowitz with 14 seconds left in the contest.

UP NEXT

The Blue Devils travel to Evanston, Illinois, to take on Northwestern next Friday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is set for 9 p.m. ET on FS1.

For more information on Duke Football, follow the Blue Devils on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram by searching "DukeFOOTBALL".

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