Duke looks to continue winning streak, plays UConn in first road game of 2023 season
Posted September 18, 2023 5:56 p.m. EDT
Updated September 18, 2023 6:00 p.m. EDT
Durham, N.C. — Duke football looks to extend its three-game winning streak this weekend in the team’s first road game of the 2023 season.
No. 18 Duke and Connecticut are scheduled to kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday at Pratt and Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field. The game airs on the CBS Sports Network.
“We’ve got to find a way to play consistent football on the road, which we didn’t always do at times last year,” Duke head coach Mike Elko said.
Last season, Duke went 3-3 in road games.
Duke (3-0) is coming off a 38-14 win over Northwestern on Saturday.
“I thought we set the tone physically running the football all day, and that’s something we want to take a lot of pride in,” Elko said. “I thought we were able to do that.”
Against Northwestern, Duke had 268 yards rushing on 40 carries (6.7 yards per carry).
Quarterback Riley Leonard led the team in rushing with 13 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns. Running back Jordan Waters had 10 carries for 65 yards and two touchdowns. Fellow running back Jaquez Moore had 10 carries for 61 yards.
Through three games, the Blue Devils have allowed an average of 9.33 points per game.
Elko mentioned how he wanted to see his defense play better in third-down situations. At the end of the second quarter against Northwestern, the Blue Devils allowed three first downs on third-down plays on the Wildcats’ 15-play, 73-yard touchdown drive.
“Our ability to execute what we’re trying to get done needs a lot of communication,” Elko said.
Elko said he hopes the 2023 team learns from last year’s team, which lost three of four games in the middle of the season.
“Our challenge -- and this is what we laid out going back in January -- is this is what we call the middle,” Elko said. “This game four to game eight, that’s the middle of the season.
“And, last year, we didn’t handle that part of the season really well.”
Meanwhile, UConn has lost three consecutive games: 24-17 on Saturday against Florida International, 35-14 on Sept. 9 to Georgia State and 24-14 to NC State on Aug. 31.
Elko explained how he’s trying to keep his team motivated.
“You don’t have to be in this game very long to realize that the second you anticipate something happening is exactly what won’t happen,” Elko said. “And so, we talk all the time in our building that anytime you take the game of football for granted, it will find a way to humble you really, really [quickly].”
Elko said he watched UConn’s tape against NC State when the two teams played on Aug. 31. NC State won the game 24-14. He said it helps watching tape against a team he is familiar with, given NC State also plays in the ACC.
“It obviously jumps off the tape how well [UConn] played against them,” Elko said. “I think it quickly gets your attention.
“I think it tells you that they’re a lot better than their record would indicate. And then, I think there is a lot of carryover, and so, we know those kids over at NC State. We know how talented some of them are.”
Elko mentioned the contributions of senior cornerback Myles Jones, who had two tackles, an interception and a pass defensed against Northwestern. Jones also had an interception in the win over Lafayette.
“I’m happy that he’s playing the game and having fun playing the game,” Elko said of Jones. “It’s really good to see.
“He’s a great kid. He’s worked extremely hard.”
Jones played for Elko at Texas A&M (2017-2022) and has battled injuries in recent seasons.
Elko also praised senior safety Jeremiah Lewis, who has played with a cast on his hand. Lewis transferred back to Duke after playing the 2022 season for Northwestern.
“He’s extremely tough,” Elko said of Lewis.
Elko said Lewis injured his hand on the second series of the Sept. 4 opener against Clemson.
“I’m really impressed with how he’s assimilated,” Elko said of Lewis.
Lewis played from 2018-2021 at Duke under previous head coach David Cutcliffe.
“I think he’s done a really good job of building relationships [and] connecting with people,” Elko said of Lewis. “[He] obviously plays the game at a really high level.”
