I don’t usually start with the injury report.
But Duke football coach Mike Elko told the media Monday that star quarterback Riley Leonard is “day-to-day” in his recovery from a high-ankle sprain.
“He’s making really, really strong progress. He was out moving around, throwing the ball this morning. We’ll see what happens this weekend but I do think the outlook for him is really positive for him the rest of the season.”
Elko said that the hyper-competitive Leonard was “attacking” rehab, 6, 7, hours per day, on a “mission” of not missing any games.
“Last week was recovery, getting him into position where he could be weight-bearing, which he is now.”
Elko added that Duke is coming off the bye week fresh and left tackle Graham Barton and cornerback Myles Jones could have played against Notre Dame had that game been a Monday game instead of a Saturday game.
One final look at the conclusion of the Notre Dame game.
Elko said he’s been going over that 4th and 16 play a lot.
“People ask me if you'll get over it. I said, ‘Sure, just like the Bowling Green Toledo game in 2013 on fourth and nine.’ You don’t get over that stuff so quickly. I think what happened was when you go back and look at the technical side of it, I thought Sam [Hartman] did a really good job of getting out on the perimeter and pausing. He got out on the perimeter and paused and actually kind of pumped down field and that caused our second level to kind of open and retrace and try to find where he was looking. And I think he just was really decisive and put a foot in the ground and went and beat us to the sticks. I think we were probably a little bit hesitant, because I think we were still thinking he was going to throw it.
“And I think that split-second of hesitancy is what ultimately got him across the line and so you know, obviously, listen, we wish we could do it again, we wish we could do it better, wish we could call something different. You know, you think about every way you possibly could when you're in that situation because certainly it's tilted in your favor and you'd like to take advantage of it but like everything, you’ve got to move on and you got to get ready for the next one.”
The next one is Saturday night against NC State, the first and last home game in October before a two-game road trip against a pair of ranked teams.
But the Wolfpack, making its first trip to Wade since 2013, is not a team to overlook. State linebacker Payton Wilson is playing at an All-America level and freshman Kevin Concepcion is an explosive play-maker.
But all eyes will be on sophomore quarterback M.J. Morris, who took over from struggling veteran Brennan Armstrong last week and led State to a come-from-behind 48-41 win over Marshall.
Morris wasn’t perfect; he threw three interceptions. But he also threw four touchdowns, completing 17 of 32 for 265 yards.
“I think he's got a big arm,” Elko said of Morris. “I think he sits in the pocket and delivers the ball really well. I think obviously there was a little bit of angst making his first start and once he settled in, really put up some impressive, gaudy numbers on Saturday and so we'll have our hands full with him for sure.”
Elko expressed confidence in Duke’s Henry Belin IV, should Leonard not be able to go.
“Henry’s a kid we’ve got a ton of confidence in. Obviously, he’s got tremendous arm talent. He can make all of the throws. Any time we’ve put him out there in a position to execute the offense, he’s done it. Every indication is that Henry’s ready for the situation and we’re excited for him to go out and get it done.”
Elko noted that film work showed some technical flaws in Todd Pelino’s two missed field goals against Notre Dame that caused him to block out the kicks and that has been addressed.
Kick-off at 8.00, rain possible, a fresh and hungry Duke team ready to battle for an ACC title regardless of who takes those snaps at quarterback.
“…rain possible…” Ugh, I hadn’t looked at the weather report until I read those words.
I’m excited to see what Henry Belin can do with the offense. The key will be Duke’s defensive line dominating State’s offensive line. Let’s knock Morris out of his comfort zone.