Duke fans, your Blue Devils are bowl eligible in Mike Elko’s first season at the helm of the program! Let that sink in. While it wasn’t pretty, Duke took care of business this weekend at Boston College, defeating the Eagles 38-31 to earn the program’s first bowl game birth since 2018. Here are our helmet stickers for this week.
BRIAN’S PICK: JAQUEZ MOORE
It has been 4 long years, but the Duke Blue Devils are finally bowling once again! My helmet sticker this week is going to freshman running back Jaquez Moore. Moore contributed in a big way against the Boston College Eagles as he ran for 82 yards, and had 2 rushing touchdowns. The first touchdown for Moore came on a 24 yard run early in the third quarter to help put the Blue Devils up 17. Not to be outdone, Moore would put the final nail in the coffin against the Eagles, as he would score again late in the third quarter to put the Devils up 17. Moore is currently third in rushing on the team with 396 yards and 4 touchdowns, and has stepped up big with the absence of Jaylen Coleman in the running back rotation.
As of late, Moore has shined as he had a touchdown against UNC, led the team in rushing against Miami, and put up these stout numbers against Boston College. Don’t be surprised if Moore shows up for some more against a struggling Virginia Tech team. The Hokies are giving up close to 150 rushing yards/game, and just conceded 210 rushing yards to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets this past weekend.
JAMIE’S PICK: NINA KING
As I’ve had time to sit here and reflect on Duke defeating Boston College, in a tougher game than I expected, and becoming bowl eligible, there was one person that stuck out to me for my helmet sticker this week. And, no, it’s not Riley Leonard. At least not this week. My helmet sticker for this week goes to friend of the pod, athletic director Nina King. This story starts before King became athletic director. In 2019 Duke started to take a bit of a downturn on the field. In 2019 Duke finished 5-7. In the COVID year of 2020, Duke finished 2-9. Nina King was named athletic director at Duke in May of 2021. She was going to be put to the test almost immediately. In 2021, Duke would finish 3-9 overall. The last several games weren’t even close. There was a lot of grumbling from the fans who thought that it was time for David Cutcliffe to go. What would Nina do? This would be her first real test as the AD. Duke and David Cutcliffe agreed to “mutually” part ways.
As you know, the search for a new coach would need to start immediately. These coaching searches move FAST, and the top guys get taken off the board quickly. Nina moved quickly. We heard names such as Marcus Freeman, Tony Elliott (LOL), and even Jason Garrett. But, Nina focused in on then defensive coordinator at Texas A&M, Mike Elko. And, as King stated, a statement we use on our pod…”We got our guy.” What a home run of a hire this has been for Duke! Duke has gone from 3-9, and not really competitive, to 6-3 and bowl eligible in Coach Elko’s first year as head coach. But it wasn’t just the head coaching hire that Nina hit a homer with. It was coming out and saying that Duke would spare no expense when hiring Coach Elko’s staff. Guys like Offensive Coordinator, Kevin Johns, and one of the most important hires, strength and conditioning coach, David Feeley. Those are just a couple guys that I wanted to mention, but the entire staff that was hired under Coach Elko is amazing. We have seen the turnaround in just a few short months. For this, my helmet sticker goes to athletic director, Nina King.
JOSH’S PICK: CAM DILLON
As we have all mentioned, congrats to this coaching staff and team on securing a bowl birth just nine games into the season. Just an incredible season Duke has put together.
My helmet sticker for the Boston College game goes to graduate transfer LB Cam Dillon. He was responsible for 9 total tackles, 6 of them being solo. He earned the helmet sticker from me because it seemed like every time there was an important tackle at a crucial moment of the game, you would find #35 at the bottom of that pile recording yet another tackle.
Dillon has had good games this season, but they have been in games where starting LB Dorian Mausi has been out nursing an injury. This game, the LB crew was at full strength, and Dillon still found a way to put up these impressive numbers. Duke definitely struck gold when they found Dillon in the transfer portal. He looks to be a significant part of what we do from here on out.
SCOTT’S PICK: DARIUS JOINER
Well first of all, Duke is going bowling, and the Section 17 crew is so excited to see our favorite team back in the postseason!
The process is so so hard to narrow it down to just 4 guys when usually there are 8-10 players that are so deserving for our helmet stickers. My BC helmet sticker is going to senior graduate transfer safety Darius Joiner. He had 7 total tackles with 5 being solo, 1 QB hurry, and 2 sacks. One of his sacks came on a huge fourth down play that gave the ball back to Duke with under 5 minutes to play. He also accounted for one of the most significant plays of the game in my opinion. Joiner used some of his basketball skills to box out in open space and dive on the loose ball on 43 yard line on BC’s final onside kickoff attempt with 17 seconds to go to secure the 38-31 victory for the Blue Devils.
Joiner leads the team with 70 total tackles with 50 being solo, 1 forced fumble, 1 interception, and 3 sacks on the season. He has been a one of the big reasons Duke is 6-3 on the season and going bowling. With three games left and two being at home in Wallace Wade, we need everyone to be there this Saturday for Military Appreciation Day against Virginia Tech. Plus if you are there, you don’t have to suffer through watching the game on Bally Sports. Let’s Go Duke! #BLEEDBLUE
**Photo creds: GoDuke.com