Duke embracing newfound football tradition ahead of opener with Elon

Duke will always be a basketball school at heart. But the football team is making a case for consideration as it looks to continue one of the better runs in program history entering the 2025 season.

It begins for the Blue Devils Thursday night in Durham, N.C when they host the Elon Phoenix from the FCS ranks.

Duke finished Manny Diaz's first season with a 9-4 record, marking the team's second nine-win season in three years after the Blue Devils had just two seasons of nine or more wins between 1942 and 2021.

Of the various roster changes entering Year 2, the most prominent is at the quarterback position, where Darian Mensah transferred into the program to replace the outgoing Maalik Murphy.

Mensah, reportedly the highest-paid FBS QB this season with an $8 million contract over the next two years, arrives at Duke after an impressive freshman season at Tulane in 2024. He racked up 2,723 passing yards, 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, leading the Green Wave to a 9-4 record and an appearance in the American Conference championship game.

"I think the way that Darian carries himself within our program, and his ability to improvise, make things happen with his feet," Diaz said of Mensah's strengths. "Our players believe in him. I think that's so important."

The Blue Devils' defense will be anchored by preseason All-Atlantic Coast Conference cornerback Chandler Rivers, who had 54 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2024.

Elon finished 6-6 in 2024 in the Colonial Athletic Association, and has been .500 or better each of the last four seasons under head coach Tony Trisciani.

The Phoenix must replace two-year starting quarterback Matthew Downing and productive running back Rushawn Baker (859 yards, nine touchdowns) this season.

"This group has been fun to be around (in preseason camp). There's been a lot of competition and a lot of growth..." Trisciani said. "We are anxious to hit the field on Thursday night against Duke."

This is the second straight season that the Phoenix will begin their campaign at Duke. The Blue Devils won 26-3 last August, and lead the all-time series 8-0-1.

--Field Level Media