2018 Duke Blue Devils football team

2018 Duke Blue Devils football
2018 Duke Blue Devils football
Independence Bowl champion
Independence Bowl, W 56–27 vs. Temple
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
	Coastal Division
Record	8–5 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach	David Cutcliffe (11th season);
Offensive coordinator	Zac Roper (3rd season)
Offensive scheme	Multiple
Co-defensive coordinator	Ben Albert (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Matt Guerrieri (1st season)
Base defense	4–2–5
MVP	Daniel Jones
Captain	Joe Giles-Harris, Ben Humphreys, Daniel Jones, Johnathan Lloyd
Home stadium	Wallace Wade Stadium
Uniform
	Seasons ← 2017 2019 →

The 2018 Duke Blue Devils football team represented Duke University in the 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football season as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in the Coastal Division. The team was led by head coach David Cutcliffe, in his 11th year, and play ed its home games at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. The Blue Devils finished the regular season with an 8–5 overall record. They went 3–5 in ACC play to finish in sixth place in the Coastal Division. They were invited to the Independence Bowl, where they defeated Temple.

2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
Atlantic Division
No. 1 Clemson x$#^	8	–	0	15	–	0
No. 15 Syracuse	6	–	2	10	–	3
NC State	5	–	3	9	–	4
Boston College	4	–	4	7	–	5
Wake Forest	3	–	5	7	–	6
Florida State	3	–	5	5	–	7
Louisville	0	–	8	2	–	10
Coastal Division
Pittsburgh x	6	–	2	7	–	7
Georgia Tech	5	–	3	7	–	6
Miami (FL)	4	–	4	7	–	6
Virginia	4	–	4	8	–	5
Virginia Tech	4	–	4	6	–	7
Duke	3	–	5	8	–	5
North Carolina	1	–	7	2	–	9
Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
# – College Football Playoff champion ^ – College Football Playoff participant $ – Conference champion x – Division champion/co-champions Rankings from AP Poll

Recruiting edit

Position key edit

Back	B	Center	C	Cornerback	CB	Defensive back	DB
Defensive end	DE	Defensive lineman	DL	Defensive tackle	DT	End	E
Fullback	FB	Guard	G	Halfback	HB	Kicker	K
Kickoff returner	KR	Offensive tackle	OT	Offensive lineman	OL	Linebacker	LB
Long snapper	LS	Punter	P	Punt returner	PR	Quarterback	QB
Running back	RB	Safety	S	Tight end	TE	Wide receiver	WR

Recruits edit

The Blue Devils signed a total of 16 recruits.

US college sports recruiting information for 2018 recruits
Name	Hometown	High school / college	Height	Weight	Commit date
Gunnar Holmberg QB	Wake Forest, NC	Heritage High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	Jul 7, 2016
Gunnar Holmberg QB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jake Bobo WR	Belmont, MA	Belmont Hill School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Feb 25, 2017
Jake Bobo WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Casey Holman OT	Snellville, GA	Brookwood High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	285 lb (129 kg)	Mar 6, 2017
Casey Holman OT	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Tahj Rice DT	Louisville, KY	Waggener High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	Mar 14, 2017
Tahj Rice DT	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Zamari Ellis TE	Henderson, NC	Southern Vance High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	240 lb (110 kg)	Apr 8, 2017
Zamari Ellis TE	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Rocky Shelton LB	Fort Lauderdale, FL	St. Thomas Aquinas High School	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	205 lb (93 kg)	Apr 25, 2017
Rocky Shelton LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jeremiah Lewis CB	Plano, TX	Prestonwood Christian Academy	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)	180 lb (82 kg)	May 7, 2017
Jeremiah Lewis CB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Shaka Heyward LB	Hoschton, GA	Mill Creek High School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	215 lb (98 kg)	May 12, 2017
Shaka Heyward LB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Dennis Smith WR	Gaffney, SC	Gaffney High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	May 14, 2017
Dennis Smith WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Jarett Garner WR	Harrisburg, NC	Hickory Ridge High School	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jun 8, 2017
Jarett Garner WR	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Maurice McIntyre OG	Jacksonville, NC	Northside High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	320 lb (150 kg)	Jun 12, 2017
Maurice McIntyre OG	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Nate Thompson S	Southern Lee High School	Sanford, NC	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)	185 lb (84 kg)	Jul 5, 2017
Nate Thompson S	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Mataeo Durant RB	McCormick, SC	McCormick High School	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)	190 lb (86 kg)	Jul 8, 2017
Mataeo Durant RB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Elijah Brown DT	Charlotte, NC	Providence Day School	6 ft 4 in (1.93 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	Sep 9, 2017
Elijah Brown DT	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Peace Addo OT	Baltimore, MD	St. Frances Academy	6 ft 6 in (1.98 m)	295 lb (134 kg)	Dec 16, 2017
Peace Addo OT	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Kendrick Torain CB	Tampa, FL	Jesuit High School	6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)	195 lb (88 kg)	Feb 5, 2018
Kendrick Torain CB	Recruiting star ratings: Scout: Rivals: 247Sports: ESPN:
Overall recruiting rankings:
Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight. In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale. Sources: "Duke Football Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 10, 2018. "2018 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved February 10, 2018.

Preseason edit

Award watch lists edit

Listed in the order that they were released

Award	Player	Position	Year
Lott Trophy^[1]	Ben Humphries	LB	SR
Rimington Trophy^[2]	Zach Harmon	C	SR
Chuck Bednarik Award^[3]	Mark Gilbert	CB	JR
Chuck Bednarik Award^[3]	Joe Giles-Harris	LB	JR
Maxwell Award^[4]	Daniel Jones	QB	JR
Davey O'Brien Award^[5]	Daniel Jones	QB	JR
Doak Walker Award^[6]	Brittain Brown	RB	SO
Fred Biletnikoff Award^[7]	T. J. Rahming	WR	SR
John Mackey Award^[8]	Daniel Helm	TE	SR
Butkus Award^[9]	Joe Giles-Harris	LB	JR
Jim Thorpe Award^[10]	Mark Gilbert	CB	JR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy^[11]	Mark Gilbert	CB	JR
Bronko Nagurski Trophy^[11]	Joe Giles-Harris	LB	JR
Paul Hornung Award^[12]	Brittain Brown	RB/KR	SO
Wuerffel Trophy^[13]	Jonathan Lloyd	WR	SR
Walter Camp Award^[14]	Joe Gilles-Harris	LB	JR
Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award^[15]	Daniel Jones	QB	JR
Manning Award^[16]	Daniel Jones	QB	JR

ACC media poll edit

The ACC media poll was released on July 24, 2018.

Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
Media poll (Coastal)
1	Miami	998 (122)
2	Virginia Tech	838 (16)
3	Georgia Tech	654 (8)
4	Duke	607 (1)
5	Pittsburgh	420
6	North Carolina	370 (1)
7	Virginia	257

Schedule edit

Date	Time	Opponent	Rank	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 31	7:00 p.m.	Army*		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC	ESPNU	W 34–14	26,017
September 8	12:00 p.m.	at Northwestern*		Ryan Field Evanston, IL	ESPNU	W 21–7	40,654
September 15	3:30 p.m.	at Baylor*		McLane Stadium Waco, TX	FS1	W 40–27	40,442
September 22	3:30 p.m.	North Carolina Central*		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC	ACCN Extra	W 55–13	30,477
September 29	7:00 p.m.	Virginia Tech	No. 22	Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC	ESPN2	L 14–31	32,177
October 13	12:20 p.m.	at Georgia Tech		Bobby Dodd Stadium Atlanta, GA	ACCN	W 28–14	41,709
October 20	12:30 p.m.	Virginia		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC	ACCRSN	L 14–28	20,277
October 27	3:30 p.m.	at Pittsburgh		Heinz Field Pittsburgh, PA	ACCRSN	L 45–54	31,510
November 3	7:00 p.m.	at Miami (FL)		Hard Rock Stadium Miami Gardens, FL	ESPN2	W 20–12	62,754
November 10	12:20 p.m.	North Carolina		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC (Victory Bell)	ACCN	W 42–35	35,493
November 17	7:00 p.m.	at No. 2 Clemson		Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC	ESPN	L 6–35	81,313
November 24	12:30 p.m.	Wake Forest		Wallace Wade Stadium Durham, NC (rivalry)	ACCRSN	L 7–59	20,782
December 27	1:30 p.m.	vs. Temple*		Independence Stadium Shreveport, LA (Independence Bowl)	ESPN	W 56–27	27,492
*Non-conference game Homecoming Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time

Roster edit

2018 Duke Blue Devils football team roster

Players

Coaches

Offense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
QB	`2`	Daniel Karlin	So
WR	`3`	T. J. Rahming	Sr
QB	`4`	Robert Nelson	Fr
WR	`5`	Johnathan Lloyd	Sr
RB	`6`	Nicodem Pierre	Sr
WR	`7`	Keyston Fuller	Jr
WR	`8`	Aaron Young	Jr
WR	`11`	Scott Bracey	So
QB	`12`	Gunnar Holmberg	Fr
WR	`14`	Dennis Smith	Fr
QB	`15`	Chris Katrenick	Fr
QB	`17`	Daniel Jones	Jr
QB	`18`	Quentin Harris	Jr
WR	`19`	Jake Bobo	Fr
RB	`20`	Marvin Hubbard III	Fr
RB	`21`	Mataeo Durant	Fr
RB	`22`	Brittain Brown	So
RB	`23`	James Jackson IV	Fr
WR	`24`	Jarett Garner	Fr
RB	`25`	Deon Jackson	So
WR	`26`	Troy Duncan	So
RB	`36`	Elijah Deveaux	So
RB	`45`	Griffin Carter	Sr
WR	`46`	Joe Hardison	Fr
TE	`46`	Aaron Wright	So
RB	`47`	Ryan Wolitzer	Jr
C	`50`	Jack Wohlabaugh	So
C	`55`	Will Taylor	Fr
OT	`60`	Patrick Leitten	Fr
OT	`61`	Zach Thomson	Fr
G	`63`	Zach Harmon	Sr
G	`64`	Tristan Westover	So
G	`65`	Julian Santos	Jr
OT	`66`	Jaylen Miller	So
G	`67`	Rakavius Chambers	So
C	`68`	Clark Bulleit	Sr
G	`69`	Zach Baker	Jr
OT	`70`	Christian Harris	Sr
OL	`71`	Maurice McIntyre	Fr
OT	`75`	Liam Smith	So
OT	`76`	Peace Addo	Fr
OT	`77`	Robert Kraeling	So
G	`78`	Casey Holman	Fr
G	`79`	Jacob Rimmer	Fr
TE	`80`	Daniel Helm	Sr
TE	`81`	Davis Koppenhaver	Sr
WR	`82`	Chris Taylor	Sr
TE	`83`	Zamari Ellis	Fr
WR	`84`	Trevon Lee	Sr
WR	`85`	Damond Philyaw-Johnson	Fr
WR	`86`	D. J. Fullard	Fr
TE	`87`	Noah Gray	So
TE	`88`	Jake Marwede	Fr
TE	`89`	Mark Birmingham	So

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DT	`1`	Axel Nyembwe	So
S	`2`	Javon Jackson	So
CB	`4`	Myles Hudzick	So
S	`9`	Jeremy McDuffie	Sr
S	`10`	Marquis Waters	So
CB	`12`	Mason Williams	Jr
S	`13`	Jordan Hayes	Jr
S	`16`	Dylan Singleton	Jr
S	`23`	Lummie Young IV	Fr
S	`26`	Michael Carter II	So
S	`27`	Damani Neal	Fr
CB	`28`	Mark Gilbert	Jr
S	`29`	Nate Thompson	Fr
S	`30`	Brandon Feamster	Jr
CB	`31`	Josh Blackwell	Fr
LB	`32`	Brandon Hill	So
S	`33`	Leonard Johnson	Fr
LB	`34`	Ben Humphreys	Sr
CB	`35`	Antone Williams	So
CB	`37`	Ken Torain	Fr
CB	`39`	Jeremiah Lewis	Fr
LB	`40`	Jacob Morganstern	So
LB	`41`	Xander Gagnon	So
LB	`42`	Shaka Heyward	Fr
LB	`43`	Rocky Shelton II	Fr
LB	`44`	Joe Giles-Harris	Jr
LB	`49`	Koby Quansah	Jr
DE	`51`	Victor Dimukeje	So
LB	`52`	Cole Carteaux	Fr
DT	`53`	Scott Jones	Fr
DT	`53`	Tahj Rice	Fr
LB	`54`	Kevin Gehsmann	Sr
DT	`54`	Derrick Tangelo	So
DT	`56`	Elijiah Brown	Fr
DE	`59`	Tre Hornbuckle	Jr
DE	`60`	Noah Waddell	Jr
DE	`86`	Drew Jordan	So
DE	`90`	Terrell Lucas	Jr
DT	`92`	Edgar Cerenord	Sr
DT	`93`	Ben Frye	Fr
DT	`94`	Twazanga Mugala	Jr
DT	`95`	Trevon McSwain	Jr
DE	`96`	Chris Rumph II	Fr
DE	`98`	Chidi Okonya	So

Special teams

Pos.	#	Name	Class
K	`11`	Tim Skapek	Jr
K	`36`	Matthew Cone	So
P	`37`	Jackson Hubbard	So
K	`38`	Jack Driggers	So
K/P	`45`	Austin Parker	Jr
K	`48`	A. J. Reed	So
LS	`57`	John Taylor	So
LS	`58`	Ben Wyatt	So
LS	`62`	Lee Rodio	Jr
K	`94`	Collin Wareham	Sr

Head coach

David Cutcliffe

Coordinators/assistant coaches

Zac Roper (offensive coordinator / quarterbacks)
Derek Jones (Associate head coach / defensive backs)
Ben Albert (co-defensive coordinator / defensive line)
Matt Guerrieri (co-defensive coordinator / Defensive Secondary)
Jim Bridge (offensive line)
Jeff Faris (tight ends)
Re'quan Boyette (running backs)
Lanier Goethie (linebackers)
Gerad Parker (wide receivers)
Kirk Benedict (special teams)

Legend

(C) Team captain
(S) Suspended
(I) Ineligible

Injured
Redshirt

Roster
Last update: August 25, 2018

Game summaries edit

Army edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Black Knights	0	0	14	0	14
Blue Devils	3	14	7	10	34

At Northwestern edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	0	21	0	0	21
Wildcats	7	0	0	0	7

^[17]

At Baylor edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	7	16	7	10	40
Bears	0	0	13	14	27

North Carolina Central edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Eagles	7	6	0	0	13
Blue Devils	20	7	21	7	55

Virginia Tech edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Hokies	3	14	7	7	31
No. 22 Blue Devils	7	0	0	7	14

At Georgia Tech edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	7	0	21	0	28
Yellow Jackets	0	7	0	7	14

Virginia edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Cavaliers	7	7	6	8	28
Blue Devils	0	0	7	7	14

At Pittsburgh edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	7	14	21	3	45
Panthers	7	10	18	19	54

At Miami (FL) edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	7	0	10	3	20
Hurricanes	0	12	0	0	12

North Carolina edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Tar Heels	14	14	0	7	35
Blue Devils	14	21	7	0	42

At Clemson edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	6	0	0	0	6
No. 2 Tigers	0	14	14	7	35

Wake Forest edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Demon Deacons	21	10	14	14	59
Blue Devils	0	7	0	0	7

Vs. Temple (Independence Bowl) edit

	1	2	3	4	Total
Owls	13	14	0	0	27
Blue Devils	7	14	21	14	56

Rankings edit

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
— = Not ranked RV = Received votes
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	—	—	RV	RV	22	RV	—	RV	—	—	RV	RV	RV	—	—
Coaches	RV	RV	RV	RV	23	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	—	—
CFP	Not released									—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

2019 NFL Draft edit

Player	Team	Round	Pick #	Position
Daniel Jones	New York Giants	1st	6	QB

References edit

^ "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
^ "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.
^ "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
^ "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
^ "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
^ "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.
^ "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.
^ "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.
^ "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
^ "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Preseason Watchlist". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.
^ "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.
^ "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
^ "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
^ Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.
^ "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
^ "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.
^ "Duke vs. Northwestern - Game Summary - September 8, 2018". ESPN. Retrieved September 8, 2018.

[1] "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved July 17, 2018.

[2] "Rimington Trophy Press Release". May 30, 2018. Retrieved July 14, 2018.

[3] "2018 Bednarik Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.

[4] "2018 Maxwell Award Watch List". July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.

[5] "Davey O'Brien Award Watch List includes 26 players". July 17, 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.

[6] "2018 Doak Walker Award Candidates". July 18, 2018. Retrieved July 18, 2018.

[7] "2018 Biletnikoff Award Watch List". July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 19, 2018.

[8] "2018 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch List Released" (PDF). July 20, 2018. Retrieved July 20, 2018.

[9] "Butkus Award - 2018 Collegiate Watchlist". The Butkus Award. July 23, 2018. Archived from the original on August 20, 2010. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

[10] "Paycom Jim Thorpe Award Names 2018 Preseason Watchlist". July 23, 2018. Retrieved July 23, 2018.

[11] "2018 Bronko Nagurski Trophy Preseason Watch List". July 24, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2018.

[12] "43 PLAYERS NAMED TO 2018 PAUL HORNUNG AWARD WATCH LIST". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.

[13] "Wuerffel Trophy Unveils 2018 Watch List". July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.

[14] Carbone, Al (July 27, 2018). "Walter Camp Football Foundation Announces 2018 Player of the Year Preseason "Watch List"". Retrieved July 30, 2018.

[15] "Watch List for 2018 Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award ® Presented by A. O. Smith Announced". August 14, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.

[16] "Manning Award: See which quarterbacks made the preseason watch list for 2018". August 16, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2018.

[17] "Duke vs. Northwestern - Game Summary - September 8, 2018". ESPN. Retrieved September 8, 2018.

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