Duke Football Battles Elon to Halftime Stalemate in Season Opener’s
The 2025 college football season is underway in Durham, and for Duke football fans, it opened with a familiar sight — a clash against local opponent Elon at Wallace Wade Stadium. A year ago, the Blue Devils began their season in similar fashion against the Phoenix, and this year’s edition of the matchup has once again proved competitive. At the halftime break, Duke and Elon are locked in a 10–10 tie, setting up an intriguing second half as head coach Manny Diaz’s group works to shake off offseason rust.
The Blue Devils, who enjoyed an encouraging first season under Diaz in 2024, entered this campaign with expectations of taking another step forward. Yet the first half against Elon reminded everyone that season openers often carry wrinkles, surprises, and challenges. Duke will receive the kickoff to begin the second half, but first, it’s worth revisiting some of the biggest takeaways from the opening two quarters of play.
Defense Still a Calling Card
The most consistent bright spot for Duke over the past year has been its defense, and the opening series of this game suggested that this identity remains intact. On Elon’s very first offensive play, Duke nose tackle Aaron Hall powered through the line, creating instant havoc for redshirt freshman quarterback Landen Clark. Clark barely had time to settle before defensive tackle Josiah Green wrapped him up for a six-yard loss. Two snaps later, cornerback Chandler Rivers delivered another blow with a tackle in the backfield, forcing a quick three-and-out for the visitors.
That early dominance was no fluke. As the quarter progressed, Duke’s pass rush showed its depth and variety. On consecutive third downs, Vincent Anthony Jr. — the Blue Devils’ vyper end — and linebacker Tre Freeman each notched sacks, halting Elon possessions before they could find rhythm. Those plays gave Duke’s offense extra opportunities and sent a message that Diaz’s unit can still pressure opposing quarterbacks in a hurry.
Mensah Brings Spark in First Appearance
Perhaps the most anticipated storyline entering the contest was the debut of Duke’s new quarterback, a transfer signal-caller named Mensah. After attracting attention across the country in the transfer portal, he landed in Durham with the chance to immediately lead Diaz’s offense. In his first two quarters in a Blue Devil uniform, Mensah showcased glimpses of why he was so coveted.
On his first series, he rolled out to his right and confidently fired a 30-yard completion to fellow newcomer Cooper Barkate, a wide receiver transfer from Harvard. The play not only moved the chains but also demonstrated Mensah’s mobility and arm strength. Later in the half, pinned deep inside his own territory, the quarterback displayed poise under pressure by escaping a collapsing pocket and zipping a first-down strike to graduate veteran Sahmir Hagans.
While Duke’s offense wasn’t flawless, Mensah’s presence offered a different feel from previous years — quicker decision-making, improvisation outside the pocket, and a willingness to push the ball downfield.
Special Teams Woes Create Frustration
If Duke’s defense set the tone and its quarterback offered optimism, the special teams unit provided an early dose of frustration. The very first offensive sequence for the Blue Devils unraveled thanks to mistakes in the kicking and return game. Sophomore Que’Sean Brown muffed a punt that nearly gifted Elon prime field position. Later in the drive, kicker Todd Pelino pushed a 45-yard field goal wide, ending the series without points.
Even when Duke appeared to get a break with a running-into-the-kicker penalty, Elon declined it, leaving Diaz’s group with nothing to show for their possession. Pelino would redeem himself somewhat later in the first quarter with a successful 41-yard kick, putting Duke on the scoreboard. Still, the miscues stood out in a game where every point mattered.
Wide Receiver Rotation Still Developing
Another major storyline for the Blue Devils entering 2025 was how the receiving corps would evolve following the departures of reliable targets Jordan Moore and Eli Pancol. That left the position wide open for new leaders, and the first half showed both promise and room for growth.
Barkate provided a spark with his early long reception, but he also dropped a pass on second-and-six that stalled a drive. Hagans and Brown were each involved in the passing game, while redshirt freshman Jayden Moore saw action as well. The group’s productivity highlighted depth but also underscored the growing pains of developing chemistry with a new quarterback. Several of Mensah’s throws were just off the mark, suggesting that timing and rhythm will take more time to fully click.
Fans Bring Energy Despite Midweek Kickoff
One element that remained constant was the passion of Duke’s student supporters. The Wade Wackos, as the student section is known, turned out in strong numbers even though the opener was played on a weeknight rather than a traditional Saturday. Decked out in blue and white, they brought noise, chants, and enthusiasm that carried across the stadium. Their presence reinforced the momentum Diaz has been building around the program, where football is drawing a level of attention once reserved mainly for basketball.
By the Numbers: Where the Game Stands
Looking at the statistical side of the first half provides more context for how Elon managed to keep pace with the favored Blue Devils:
Rushing yards: The Phoenix relied heavily on their ground game, racking up 113 yards rushing before halftime. Clark himself scrambled for 39 yards, while two other Elon backs surpassed 30 yards each. Duke’s defense, usually stout against the run, had difficulty containing the quarterback run and option plays. For perspective, last season the Blue Devils gave up an average of just under 150 rushing yards per game, so Elon’s success was notable.
Penalties: Discipline has been a bright spot. Duke committed just one penalty — a false start by left tackle Bruno Fina. Elon, on the other hand, committed three infractions totaling 22 yards.
Time of possession: Elon’s deliberate rushing attack allowed them to hold the ball for 18 minutes and 14 seconds, compared to Duke’s 11 minutes and 46 seconds. That ball-control approach kept Duke’s offense on the sideline and contributed to the even score at halftime.
Key Play of the Half
The highlight of Duke’s offensive effort came midway through the second quarter, when senior running back Jaquez Moore broke free for a spectacular 32-yard touchdown. Taking the handoff to the left, Moore suddenly cut back across the field, using acceleration and vision to elude multiple Elon defenders before sprinting into the end zone. The play evoked memories of last year’s opener, when Moore also provided Duke’s first touchdown against the Phoenix.
That score represented Duke’s lone touchdown of the half, but it illustrated how the veteran tailback can be a difference-maker for an offense still finding its identity with a new quarterback and reshuffled receiving corps.
Halftime Outlook
As the teams headed into the locker room with the scoreboard knotted at 10 apiece, Duke faced a mixture of encouraging signs and lingering questions. The defense continued to show its disruptive potential, while Mensah’s debut suggested a higher offensive ceiling. Yet lapses in run defense, special teams mistakes, and incomplete execution in the passing game left points on the table.
For Elon, the performance was validation that they could compete toe-to-toe with a major program, at least through the first half. Their commitment to the running game and opportunistic defense allowed them to weather Duke’s bursts of momentum.
The second half loomed as a chance for Duke to assert itself and demonstrate the progress made under Diaz’s leadership. With the ball to start the third quarter, the Blue Devils had an opportunity to grab control — but they also knew they could not afford more miscues if they wanted to avoid a nail-biter finish.
