Duke (2-2, 1-0) hits the road for the second time this season travelling to New York to face Syracuse (3-1, 1-0) on Saturday at 12 pm EDT. Television coverage provided by the ACC Network. The Blue Devils are favored by 6.5 points.
Injury report: Both teams suffered a season ending injury to a starting player during last week’s games, which warrant inclusion in pregame discussions.
During their 34-21 victory over Clemson, Syracuse lost starting quarterback Steve Angeli to an Achilles injury. Angeli underwent
surgery earlier this week and is out for the season. He will be replaced in the line-up by Redshirt Sophomore Rickie Collins. Syracuse Head Coach Fran Brown described Collins as, “A pass first quarterback. He has a strong arm and can make all the throws.” Collins is 7 of 14, for 99 yards with two touchdowns and one interception in 2025.
Duke lost middle linebacker Nick Morris, Jr. to a lower leg injury during the 45-33 win over N.C. State. Morris also underwent surgery and is lost for the season. Luke Mergott will step into the middle linebacker role. Mergott has played in all four previous games recording 10 tackles including six in the win over the Wolfpack. Duke Head Coach Manny Diaz indicated freshmen Elliot Schaper and Bradley Gompers will move into the linebacker rotation.
Offense: Syracuse has a balanced, high-powered offense that averages 38.3 points per game. The Orange pass the ball 54 percent of the time while running on 46 percent of plays. Regarding the absence of Angeli at quarterback, Coach Diaz stated, “This is a really well coached offense that knows how to throw the football.” He went on to communicate Duke does not expect any drop off in execution no matter who is at quarterback for Syracuse.
Wide receiver Darrell Gill, Jr. averages 22.1 yards per catch. He has 14 receptions for 310 yards with three touchdowns. Johntay Cook has 18 receptions for 234 yards and one touchdown, Justus Ross-Simmons has 14 receptions for 212 yards and five touchdowns. The Orange are loaded at wide receiver.
Tight end Dan Villari is the team’s receptions leader with 20 for 240 yards.
At running back, Yasin Willis at 6’1” 235 pounds is a big back with speed. He has carried the ball 52 times for 233 yards and four touchdowns. Will Nixon has 40 carries for 175 yards and two touchdowns. Willis and Nixon are a two-headed monster for the Orange offense.
Defense: Syracuse is ranked 17th in the Atlantic Coast Conference in Total Defense yielding 455 yards per game. They give up 158.8 yards rushing (17th), 296.3 yards passing (16th) and 27.5 points (13th).
Discussing the Syracuse defense Coach Diaz stated, “They do a lot of different stuff, very multiple in their coverages…they’re going to play man coverage, they’re going to get up on you, they’re going to challenge routes, they’re very aggressive and very well coached.” He continued on to emphasize the requirement for balance against an aggressive defense, “We are going to have to continue to keep our development of where we’ve been as an offense so we are not completely dependent upon dropping back and throwing the ball.” Duke will need to run the ball and complete short passes.
Linebacker Gary Bryant III leads the Orange in tackles with 21. Defensive backs Demetres Samuel, Jr. and Duce Chestnut are right behind with 19 and 18 respectively. Defensive back Braheem Long, Jr. leads the team with two sacks
The Syracuse defense has forced six turnovers on the season, three fumbles and three interceptions.
Prediction: Duke builds off last week’s win and holds off Syracuse in a hard-fought game to improve to 2-0 in ACC play. Duke 34, Syracuse 31.
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