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Duke coach Mike Elko: ‘I think it speaks to the character of this program’

image_6483441 (3)by:Noah Fleischman•10/15/23•

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Mike Elko
(Jaylynn Nash-USA TODAY Sports)

Without starting quarterback Riley Leonard, many thought NC State would roll past a shorthanded No. 17 Duke. But it did not go that way on Saturday night at Wallace Wade Stadium — it actually was the opposite. 

The Blue Devils coasted to a 24-3 win over the Wolfpack without their star signal-caller, who is recovering from a high ankle sprain. 

Duke coach Mike Elko thought it showed was his program is made of in just his second year at the helm of the Blue Devils. 

“I think it speaks to the character of this program,” Elko told reporters postgame. “I don’t think it’s up for debate. I think everybody thought we were just going to wither away when Riley got hurt against Notre Dame. That’s not really who we are.”

The Wolfpack outgained the Blue Devils 305-301 in total offense, while it also held the ball for more than 13 more minutes. The red and white also recorded six more first downs and had 28 more offensive plays than the home team.

But those two things did not matter as Duke utilized eight explosive plays to race past NC State. The Blue Devils had six explosives on the ground for 167 yards, which Elko said he knew his team was going to need against NC State defensive coordinator Tony Gibson’s stout run defense. 

“We knew it was going to be a little bit of a hit-or-miss night, that’s just how they play,” Elko said. “There’s so many bodies in and around the line of scrimmage. There’s not a lot of five-yard runs when you break down the film of them — there’s a lot of zeros and some big ones. You’ve got to hit a lot more big ones than you don’t so the averages are right.”

Duke star running back Jordan Waters had 13 carries for 123 yards and a touchdown, but Elko estimated that eight of his carries did not go far. But the tailback accounted for three of Duke’s long runs. He busted a 20-yard gain in the first quarter, an 11-yard carry in the second, and an 83-yard rushing touchdown in the third to pace the Blue Devils. 

For Elko, it was about staying patient in the run game — that paid off. 

“You just have to stay patient with it and keep pounding away,” Elko said. “And hopefully break some. We were able to do that.”

Duke’s explosive plays were not limited to the run game, either. The Blue Devils trotted redshirt freshman quarterback Henry Belin IV for his first-career start against the Wolfpack. He only completed four passes, but two of them were big gainers. 

Belin hit Jeremiah Hasley for a 21-yard completion before he found Jalon Calhoun on a 69-yard passing touchdown on the next play in the first quarter. In all, the quarterback was 4-of-12 passing for 107 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. 

But those back-to-back passes were the first strike for the Blue Devils, which scored 24 unanswered in the win. Elko said that was key with an inexperienced quarterback under center. 

“We knew starting fast was really important because we didn’t want to get in a game where we had to play catchup,” Elko said. “That was not going to be a great recipe for success for us. … We talk a lot about game control. That’s important always, but it’s even more important when it’s a first-time starter.”

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