“Riley Leonard drops back to pass and . . . “
That sentence can end a number of different ways. Through two games it usually has ended with some variation of “completes a pass to . . . “
Leonard has attempted 45 passes this season and completed 29. That’s 64.4 percent.
Backup Henry Belin IV is 8 for 8. That’s even better.
But the sentence hasn’t been completed with any variation of “interception.”
Nor has it been completed with the almost equally dreaded work “sack.”
That doesn’t mean Leonard hasn’t had any pressure. But he’s consistently made the right decision, throw it away, buy some time, tuck it and run, all better options than a sack or a pick.
Duke hasn’t allowed a sack this season, not one. Only seven teams can make that claim and Iowa State, Michigan and TCU are the only other Power-5 teams.
Duke and Western Kentucky are the only two teams not have an interception or sack.
Now two games isn’t a very big sample size and one of those was against a Patriot League team that probably doesn’t have a Pro Day.
But the other was against a defense absolutely festooned with future NFL starters.
In any event, none of this is by happenstance. Duke is doing a lot of things well.
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