“You Just Have to Keep Working”

Under first-year head coach Mike Elko, the Blue Devils (4-3, 1-2) have already surpassed their win total from a year ago. And though the Hurricanes have outscored Duke 95-10 in the teams’ previous two meetings, Miami’s players are expecting a tough challenge Saturday.

“They’re up there in all the stats in the ACC. Defense is really good, very sound in what they do,” said Hurricanes quarterback Tyler Van Dyke, who has thrown for more than 350 yards in each of Miami’s last two games. “It’s not the same old Duke. This is a very good team. [They’re] 4-3, should have beat North Carolina last week. We have to take them seriously. They’re a good team and we’re preparing very well for them.”

Added Miami head coach Mario Cristobal, “A team that’s done a really good job to start the season. Tops in the conference in several categories, real critical ones, particularly the run game and keeping their quarterback clean. Least sacks allowed, as well as being one of the teams that holds their opponents to fewest points defensively. [We’re] looking forward to a great opportunity.”

Entering Saturday’s game, the Blue Devils have recovered 10 fumbles, which leads the nation. And after finishing last season last in the ACC in turnover margin, the Blue Devils are third in the ACC and tied for 11^th in the nation in that category with an average of +1.14 turnovers per game.

Offensively, the Blue Devils are led by Riley Leonard, one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC.

Leonard, a sophomore, has completed 66 percent of his passes and thrown for 1,557 yards with nine touchdowns. That ranks third in the conference in pass completion percentage.

Leonard is also Duke’s leading rusher, totaling 420 yards and five touchdowns. That ranks eighth in the ACC.

The mobile quarterback will pose a challenge for the Miami defense, but it’s one the Hurricanes say they’re prepared for – especially given how they’re tested weekly in practice by young quarterback Jacurri Brown, who last week at Virginia Tech, was an invaluable contributor in multiple short-yardage situations.

“He’s a great quarterback. A great player. We’ve been studying him. He keeps his eyes downfield,” Flagg said of Leonard. “But, we go against Jacurri Brown every day. I was just getting reps in with him in the open space. It’s all about preparation, preparing for the moment, for the tackle, for the plays and we do a great job preparing. Our coaches get us…