Year two of the Manny Diaz era for Duke football is officially underway.
On Saturday, the program hosted its annual Blue and White game, which featured old and new faces as spring practices came to a close. With transfer quarterback Darian Mensah starting under center, it was the offense that prevailed after four 10-minute quarters in a 38-26 victory.
“Pretty much whatever you would want to get out of a spring game, we accomplished today,” Diaz said. “You're always going to be limited with the numbers of guys we have, but we came out healthy — I liked how both units operated.”
Operating under a format similar to last year’s game, the Blue team, consisting of the offense and special teams, scored just as it would in a traditional contest, while the defensive White team earned five points for a turnover, eight points for a touchdown, two points for a safety, two points for a three-and-out, three points for a fourth-down stop, four points for a fourth-down stop after a three-and-out and one point for a sack.
After quarterbacks warmed up by practicing deep passes to receivers, the contest began, and on his first drive in Wallace Wade Stadium, Mensah showed exactly why he had been such a prized transfer-portal prospect. Just as the pocket started to collapse, the signal-caller nimbly avoided contact and scrambled left for a first down. Mensah and the offense continued to march down the field — repeatedly finding soft spots in coverage and converting short throws.
“I feel like I performed pretty well, definitely some things to work on as far as timing, my drops, my footwork, but it's another good day,” Mensah said. “I feel like my coach put me in a great position all day to execute at a high level.”
To cap off the opening drive, the Blue team notched its first points on a 33-yard, back-shoulder throw from Mensah to rising redshirt sophomore receiver Spencer Jones. With an additional point for a touchdown over 20 yards and the extra point converted by rising senior kicker Todd Pelino, the offense led 8-0.
During the game, Duke rotated through its quarterback room — giving Mensah, rising redshirt junior Henry Belin IV and rising freshman Dan Mahan the opportunity to rest between appearances. Following a Belin-led second drive that ended in a three-and-out, Mensah retook the field. Despite a low snap, the San Luis Obispo, Calif., native recovered to find rising redshirt sophomore receiver Que’Sean Brown downfield for a 75-yard score. 16-2, Blue.
“What you saw today with Que’Sean Brown and Sahmir Hagans, again, that's been a common theme throughout spring ball,” Diaz said. “Both those guys have really elevated their game, and we'll need them to. They need to play their best ball for us to have a chance to be great.”
The defense hung tough throughout the exhibition contest, notching several sacks and forcing multiple turnovers-on-downs. The second quarter, in particular, featured four straight stops, including a near pick-six by cornerback Landan Callahan. Even after the offense’s opening success, the White team remained in the game as the score stood at 16-13.
But the offense didn’t falter, and Belin led the first-team unit down the field and finished the drive with a 31-yard touchdown pass to Hagans, extending the lead to 24-13. After a defensive stop and Pelino field goal, the Blue team entered the five-minute halftime up 27-16.
The second half highlighted the depth of the defense, as the unit rotated through multiple groups, an area that projects as a strength come fall.
“The depth helps. We have a saying that we coach next year's team this year — that'll pay off for us this year, but then it is time for some other guys to step up,” Diaz said. “... [At defensive end] we really feel we've got seven guys that can go into a game and disrupt an offense, so that's a blessing to us.”
In the third period, the defense forced several more stops, minimizing the explosiveness of newly-formed backfield duo Anderson Castle, an Appalachian State transfer, and rising freshman Nate Sheppard.
With just a five-point difference heading into the final quarter, it was either team’s game. Mahan seized the opportunity and orchestrated a long drive ending in a field goal by kicker Ryan Degyansky, before the Burlington, N.C., native launched a back-shoulder pass to Jones in the corner of the end zone to seal the Blue team’s victory.
“There's no substitute to getting in the stadium and feeling that real accountability — the fans cheering or booing or whatever noises they're making. We just don't get this opportunity,” Diaz said. “You see [the game] a little bit differently here than you will in practice. Even the speed is a little bit faster, so it's great to evaluate where we are after 15 days of spring practice.”
As the team heads into the summer, the story is no longer about the novelty of Diaz or his staff, but rather about how the program has improved and is poised for a leap in year two.
“With the success that we had a year ago, I sense confidence, not just in who we are as coaches, but confidence in who they are as players,” Diaz said.
Diaz also spoke after the game about the recent tragedy at his alma mater Florida State, where he began his coaching career.
The Blue Devils will return to camp in late July, before opening their season in a home clash against Elon Aug. 28.
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