2018 Duke Blue Devils football team

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.

2018 Duke Blue Devils football
Independence Bowl champion
Independence Bowl, W 56–27 vs. Temple
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Division	Coastal
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 →

2018 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
v t e	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 (FL)		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

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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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
	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.

Media poll (Coastal)
Predicted finish	Team	Votes (1st place)
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 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 RB 45 Griffin Carter Sr WR 46 Joe Hardison Fr TE 46 Aaron Wright So RB 47 Ryan Wolitzer Jr C 50 Jack Wohlabaugh   So C 55 Will Taylor   Fr OT 60 Patrick Leitten   Fr OT 61 Zach Thomson Fr G 63 Zach Harmon   Sr G 64 Tristan Westover So G 65 Julian Santos Jr OT 66 Jaylen Miller   So G 67 Rakavius Chambers So C 68 Clark Bulleit Sr G 69 Zach Baker   Jr OT 70 Christian Harris   Sr OL 71 Maurice McIntyre Fr OT 75 Liam Smith   So OT 76 Peace Addo Fr OT 77 Robert Kraeling   So G 78 Casey Holman Fr G 79 Jacob Rimmer   Fr TE 80 Daniel Helm   Sr TE 81 Davis Koppenhaver   Sr WR 82 Chris Taylor   Sr TE 83 Zamari Ellis Fr WR 84 Trevon Lee   Sr WR 85 Damond Philyaw-Johnson   Fr WR 86 D. J. Fullard Fr TE 87 Noah Gray So TE 88 Jake Marwede   Fr TE 89 Mark Birmingham   So	Defense Pos. # Name Class DT 1 Axel Nyembwe So S 2 Javon Jackson   So CB 4 Myles Hudzick   So S 9 Jeremy McDuffie Sr S 10 Marquis Waters So CB 12 Mason Williams   Jr 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 LB 49 Koby Quansah Jr DE 51 Victor Dimukeje So LB 52 Cole Carteaux Fr DT 53 Scott Jones Fr DT 53 Tahj Rice Fr LB 54 Kevin Gehsmann Sr DT 54 Derrick Tangelo So DT 56 Elijiah Brown Fr DE 59 Tre Hornbuckle Jr DE 60 Noah Waddell Jr DE 86 Drew Jordan So DE 90 Terrell Lucas Jr DT 92 Edgar Cerenord   Sr DT 93 Ben Frye   Fr DT 94 Twazanga Mugala   Jr DT 95 Trevon McSwain   Jr DE 96 Chris Rumph II   Fr DE 98 Chidi Okonya   So	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 K/P 45 Austin Parker   Jr K 48 A. J. Reed   So LS 57 John Taylor So LS 58 Ben Wyatt   So LS 62 Lee Rodio Jr K 94 Collin Wareham   Sr	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

See also: 2018 Army Black Knights football team

at Northwestern

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

See also: 2018 Northwestern Wildcats football team

^[17]

at Baylor

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

See also: 2018 Baylor Bears football team

North Carolina Central

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

See also: 2018 North Carolina Central Eagles football team

Virginia Tech

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

See also: 2018 Virginia Tech Hokies football team

at Georgia Tech

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

See also: 2018 Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets football team

Virginia

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

See also: 2018 Virginia Cavaliers football team

at Pittsburgh

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

See also: 2018 Pittsburgh Panthers football team

at Miami (FL)

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

See also: 2018 Miami Hurricanes football team

North Carolina

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

See also: 2018 North Carolina Tar Heels football team and Victory Bell (Duke–North Carolina)

at Clemson

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

See also: 2018 Clemson Tigers football team

Wake Forest

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

See also: 2018 Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team

vs. Temple (Independence Bowl)

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

See also: 2018 Temple Owls football team and 2018 Independence Bowl

Rankings

Further information: 2018 NCAA Division I FBS football rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
— = Not ranked. RV = Received votes.

	Week
Poll	Pre	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	Final
AP	—	—	RV	RV	22	RV	—	RV	—	—	RV	RV	RV	—	—
Coaches	RV	RV	RV	RV	23	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	RV	—	—	—
CFP	Not released									—	—	—	—	—	—	Not released

2019 NFL Draft

Main article: 2019 NFL Draft

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

References

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. . July 16, 2018. Archived from the original on July 16, 2018. Retrieved July 16, 2018.
4. . 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. . July 26, 2018. Archived from the original on July 26, 2018. Retrieved July 26, 2018.
13. . 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.