Duke secured its 7th win of the season in a methodical 24-7 dismantling of the Virginia Tech Hokies this past Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium. After giving up a touchdown just two minutes into the first quarter, the Duke defense pitched a shutout for the remainder of the game. Here are those who earned helmet stickers from us this weekend:
BRIAN’S PICK: BRANDON JOHNSON
My helmet sticker goes out to sophomore safety Brandon Johnson. Johnson has shown up as of late and continued to turn heads with his performance against Virginia Tech. Johnson would have 6 total tackles (2 TFL), which was second on the team behind Shaka Heyward. On top of this, Johnson would lead the Blue Devil defense with 2 sacks. This is now the second time in the last 3 weeks that Johnson has recorded at least 2 sacks in the game. Oh and by the way, Johnson now leads the team in total sacks with 5.5 on the season. He is also 4th on the team with total tackles (41).
Needless to say Johnson has been one of the players that has benefitted dramatically from the coaching change. He has tripled his tackle count from last year 10 games in (you read that right), and has already played the same amount of snaps that he did all of last year. It is going to be exciting to see what this young man does the last 3 games of the season!
JAMIE’S PICK: RILEY LEONARD
I had to listen to the game on my way home from vacationing in Florida. I will say, it was a pleasure listening to David Shumate and Dave Harding call the game instead of watching on that trash network Bally Sports. I thought about giving my helmet sticker to the radio team. But, I couldn’t go another week without giving my guy QB1 Riley Leonard some love. He gets my helmet sticker (again) this week. He started off a little slow, just missing Jalon Calhoun on what would have been a huge play to start the game. But Riley would settle down and have what we have seen all year from him, another super-efficient game. Shame on the media (can’t remember specifically who it was) for ranking him the 13th QB in the ACC. He has been one of the 2 or 3 best all year, and that continued Saturday. Leonard was 19-31 for 262 yards, and 2 touchdowns, with 1 interception. He averaged 8.5 yards per completion. He spread the ball around to 6 different receivers, with Calhoun and Jontavis Robertson getting the most work. His two touchdowns were to Robertson and TE Nicky Dalmolin. He also ran the ball 9 times for 48 yards and another touchdown.
As we have said on our podcast and multiple times on social media, Riley Leonard does not get enough credit for how athletic he is. The biggest stat for Leonard is yet another win to get Duke to 7-3 overall and 4-2 in the ACC. He continues to show leadership on and off the field, and this week he gets another helmet sticker from me.
JOSH’S PICK: JONTAVIS ROBERTSON
Two weeks ago, news hit that starting WR Eli Pancol’s season was finished due to a lower-body injury. After Sahmir Hagans had a breakout game at BC, it was Jontavis Robertson’s turn this past Saturday against Virginia Tech. And that is why he has earned a helmet sticker from me.
Robertson, a junior WR, has often shown flashes of his athleticism and ability, but Duke fans had yet to see it sustained throughout a full game until Saturday. Robertson caught 5 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown from QB Riley Leonard. Robertson made two specific catches that proved to be important for Duke. With under 8 minutes to go in the first half and Duke trailing 7-3, Coach Elko elected to go for it on 4th and 7 from the 37 yard line. As Leonard was being pressured, he hit Robertson on a precise route on the edge for the first down. Duke would score on the very next play, and never lose the lead. The second important catch was in the initial drive of the 4th quarter. Duke was up 10, but was looking to put the nail in the coffin. After a 4th down conversion to WR Jordan Moore, Leonard found Robertson in the corner of the end zone for the score that ended all hope of a Hokie comeback. As Duke enters its final 3 games of the season, guys like Jontavis Robertson will continue to see their names called. There is no reason to think they will not deliver time and time again.
SCOTT’S PICK: ROBB SMITH
My helmet sticker this week is going to be a little different. I am going with defensive coordinator Robb Smith. During the Virginia Tech game, the Duke defense gave up a 53 yard touchdown on the second play of game. From that point on, Duke only gave up 228 more yards the rest of the game. His defense held the Hokies to only that one score, and we know holding any FBS team to 7 points in a game is a major feat. The defense locked in and got better as game progressed. VT only had 21:01 minutes in time off possession for the game.
The last few seasons Duke has been dead last in almost every defensive category. This season Coach Smith has found the perfect balance of scheme and the perfect third or fourth down blitzes to cause major havoc for opposing QB’s. Duke is 6th in points allowed at 21.5/game, 11th in yards allowed at 382.8/game, 7th in sacks with 26 total in ACC. Nationally, Duke is ranked 35th in points allowed, 72nd in yards allowed, and 36th in sacks. Having 2 of the team captains and 2 transfers in the secondary are a great mix for this year’s defense to be doing so well. Robb Smith has brought confidence to this team. They are tackling as a team and looking to cause turnovers. The team has bought in to his style. That is why Duke is having great success and has been in every game until the last possession.