quarterback Darian Mensah made the most of his first in-game reps at Wallace Wade, delivering a sharp performance that underscored his potential as a dynamic playmaker in Duke’s quarterback room. After a composed start featuring efficient short-yardage throws, Mensah capped the opening drive with a 33-yard touchdown pass to redshirt sophomore Spencer Jones. With a bonus point awarded for scores over 20 yards, the Blue took an early 8-0 lead.
Mensah returned for a second series and overcame a low snap to connect with Que’Sean Brown for a 75-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 16-2. “There are definitely areas to clean up,” Mensah said, “but I felt confident in how we executed.”
Despite the early deficit, the defense found its rhythm in the second quarter, stringing together four three-and-outs and recording three sacks to pull within 16-13. Contributions came from across the unit, including pressure from Tre Freeman and Wesley Williams, as well as strong pursuit by Tyshon Reed and Kobe Smith.
The offense answered with redshirt junior Henry Belin IV finding Sahmir Hagans on a 31-yard touchdown, followed by a 42-yard field goal from veteran kicker Todd Pelino. The Blue Team entered halftime up 27-16.
Second-Half Depth on Display
The third quarter shifted momentum back to the defense, as Duke rotated through its depth chart to evaluate younger contributors. The White Team tacked on six more points with another three-and-out, a sack, and a fourth-down stop. Defensive end Luke Mergott stood out with consistent disruption off the edge.
In the final quarter, true freshman Dan Mahan took command of the offense. After engineering a drive that ended in a 37-yard field goal by Cosme Salas, Mahan later connected with Jones on a 20-yard touchdown to seal the victory.
While the Blue Team claimed the win, the true value of the scrimmage lay in the balanced competition and individual growth across the roster. “You saw the development not just from our veterans, but from young guys stepping into bigger roles,” Diaz said. “It’s not about making a statement in April. It’s about building a team for September.”
Duke will resume work in late July with fall camp ahead of its season opener against Elon on August 28.
