Duke came from behind to get the victory over the UConn Huskies this past weekend. Here are the players who earned helmet stickers:
BRIAN’S PICK: ALEX HOWARD
Duke continued their winning ways pulling out another victory to go 3-0 on the season. While these games have not been the prettiest at times, one thing that has been consistent is the play of transfer linebacker Alex Howard. This past Saturday night was no different, as Howard registered 7 tackles and .5 sack. Three games in, Howard already has 28 tackles (11 of them solo), and 1.5 sacks on the season.
To put things into perspective, Howard is almost HALFWAY to his tackle total from last year (67) with 9 games left to play. He has also already matched his yearly sack total from 2023. Needless to say Manny Diaz and his staff hit a home run being able to get Howard in the off-season. This type of performance will be needed again this upcoming weekend in Murfreesboro as the Blue Devils will look to go 4-0 against MTSU.
JAMIE’S PICK: QUE’SEAN BROWN
Duke was able to gut out another win for the second week in a row, this time on Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. Credit to UConn for battling back after it looked like Duke was going to blow them out. Also, weird stat: Duke has scored 26 points in every win thus far. Just an odd stat. But at the end of the day, this Duke team is 3-0 heading to Murfreesboro Saturday afternoon.
This week my helmet sticker goes to freshman wide receiver Que’Sean Brown. This young man is FAST. When the offense stalled, it was Brown who came up with his biggest game yet as a Blue Devil. Brown had 11 catches for 87 yards (nearly 8 yards per catch), a long of 20 yards, and his first career touchdown. He also had his best day as a punt returner, with 3 returns for 39 yards and a long of 23. It is not if at this point, but WHEN we see him take a punt to the house. Brown is going to be a special player at Duke, and I cannot wait to keep watching him grow as a receiver and a returner! For his big game against UConn, Que’Sean Brown gets my helmet sticker.
JOSH’S PICK: TODD PELINO
In a game that started out with Duke on top 17-0, no one would have logically guessed that the Duke victory would be determined by a mere 5 points. That is where the leg of junior kicker Todd Pelino is a valuable asset for Manny Diaz and this Duke Football team.
Pelino’s career stats at Duke are impressive, boasting a perfect 100% success rate on extra points, and hitting over 82% of his FG attempts. This past Saturday, Pelino hit from 47 and a career high 53 yards out. These 6 points proved to be the difference in a Duke loss and a Duke win. As Duke heads into ACC play (after the final non-conference game this coming weekend), look for games to often be decided by the kickers. With Pelino, Duke has an accurate weapon who feeds off of pressure situations. Todd Pelino earned his helmet sticker for this week.
SCOTT’S PICK: STAR THOMAS
In one of the craziest games that I have seen in my life, Duke somehow came from behind to win after being up 17 points in the first half. Duke was in full control until the weird pick 6 toward the end of the second quarter.
My helmet sticker for UConn game goes to new father Star Thomas. Thomas’s daughter was born on Monday, and he had his best game to date for Duke just 5 days later. Thomas started for the injured Jaquez Moore and lead the team with 22 carries for 122 yards and 1 reception for 24 yards. Thomas seemed to settle in and find his run lanes much easier than Duke’s previous two games. Thomas also made a very wise decision, in my opinion, on his final rush. Falling short of end zone to get a first down for Duke sealed the deal for everyone’s favorite play: the victory formation. Congrats to Star Thomas on his big week and helping to lead the Blue Devils to a 3-0 start.