2018 Duke Blue Devils football team

2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
	Atlantic Division
	Coastal Division
	Championship: Clemson 42, Pittsburgh 10
	# – College Football Playoff champion; ^ – College Football Playoff participant; $ – Conference champion; x – Division champion/co-champions; Rankings from AP Poll

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
2018 record	8–5 (3–5 ACC)
Head coach	David Cutcliffe (11th season);
Offensive coordinator	Zac Roper (3rd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Ben Albert (1st season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Matt Guerrieri (1st season)
MVP	Daniel Jones
Captain	Joe Giles-Harris, Ben Humphreys, Daniel Jones, Johnathan Lloyd
Home stadium	Wallace Wade Stadium; (capacity: 40,000)
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.

Previous season[]

The Blue Devils finished the 2017 season 7–6, 3–5 in ACC play to finish in a three-way tie for fourth place in the Coastal Division. They were invited to the Quick Lane Bowl where they defeated Northern Illinois.

Recruiting[]

Position key[]

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[]

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[]

Award watch lists[]

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[]

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[]

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	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[]

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	`13`	Sayvon Sampson	Sr
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

Defense

Pos.	#	Name	Class
DT	`1`	Axel Nyembwe	So
S	`2`	Javon Jackson	So
CB	`4`	Myles Hudzick	So
CB	`6`	Mason Williams	Jr
S	`9`	Jeremy McDuffie	Sr
S	`10`	Marquis Waters	So
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

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

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[]

Army[]

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

at Northwestern[]

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

^[17]

at Baylor[]

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

North Carolina Central[]

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

Virginia Tech[]

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

at Georgia Tech[]

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

Virginia[]

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

at Pittsburgh[]

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

at Miami (FL)[]

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

North Carolina[]

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

at Clemson[]

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

Wake Forest[]

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

vs. Temple (Independence Bowl)[]

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

Rankings[]

Ranking movements
**Legend:** ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	NR	NR	RV	RV	22	RV	NR	RV	NR	NR	RV	RV	RV	NR	NR
Coaches	RV	RV	RV	RV	23	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	NR	NR	NR
CFP	Not released									NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	NR	Not released

2019 NFL Draft[]

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

References[]

^ "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved 2018-07-17.
^ "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. 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. 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 8 September 2018.

[1] "2018 Watch List | Lott IMPACT Trophy | Honoring College Football's Defensive Best". lottimpacttrophy.org. Retrieved 2018-07-17.

[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. 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. 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 8 September 2018.

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v t Duke Blue Devils football
Venues	Hanes Field (c. 1913–1928) Wallace Wade Stadium (1929–present)
Bowls & rivalries	Bowl games North Carolina: (Victory Bell)
Culture & lore	History "Fight! Blue Devils, Fight!" Blue and White (Duke fight song) Marching band
People	Head coaches NFL draftees Statistical leaders
Seasons	1888 1889 1890 1891 1892 1893 1894 1895–1919 1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929 1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939 1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022

2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
v t	Conf				Overall
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		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