Mike Elko: ‘This is what I envisioned Duke could be when I took this job’

Mike Elko had big plans for what Duke football could be when he accepted the head coaching job in 2022. Now just a year later, the Blue Devils notched their first win against a top 10 opponent in 34 years with a 28-7 victory against No. 9 Clemson on Monday.

As Duke students stormed the field in jubilation following the monumental moment, Elko had to yell over the noise in his postgame interview with ESPN. The coach spoke with pride as he attempted to put into words just how far the program has come in such a short amount of time.

“This is Duke football,” he said. “We’ve got the best of both worlds. A chance to really compete and do amazing things on and off the field. This is what I envisioned Duke could be when I took this job.”

The Blue Devils were coming off three straight losing seasons, including a 3-9 finish in 2021, when Elko took over last season. He immediately turned things around to go 9-4 in his inaugural year and it’s evident the momentum from that season has carried over into 2023.

Still, things didn’t come easy for Duke, which trailed 7-6 at halftime. The Blue Devils needed some a big play coming out of the locker room, and quarterback Riley Leonard delivered with a 44-yard touchdown run on the opening drive. Leonard evaded several Clemson tacklers on his way to the score to put Duke back on top 13-7.

From there, Leonard continued his impressive play in the fourth quarter to lead Duke on a pair of touchdown drives to put the game away. The Blue Devils defense also forced three turnovers in the second half as the Tigers were held scoreless.

“I think we just settled down and played our game,” Elko said. “We didn’t play perfect. We didn’t play great. A ton of turnovers and then we played a great game and kept battling and made just enough plays to win the game.”

Leonard finished the game as the team’s leading rusher with 98 yards and the touchdown on the ground. He was 17-of-33 passing for 175 yards, and Elko believes he’s been the perfect leader for Duke the past two seasons.

“He’s a competitor,” the coach said. “He’s gritty as heck. When the game’s on the line, he finds ways to make plays. He’s done it since I got here. He’s why we’re in this position.”

Coming off of this big-time win, Mike Elko and Duke will continue to celebrate tonight before getting back to work. The Blue Devils have a short week to prepare for their next matchup against Lafayette at 6 p.m. ET on Saturday.

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