The Clemson football team are prepared to face the Duke Blue Devils in a highly anticipated season opener. The Tigers have won five straight games against conference opponent Duke and most recently beat the Blue Devils 35-6 in a 2018 game played in Memorial Stadium. Clemson is 37-16-1 all-time against the Blue Devils and 9-3 in the last 12 games when being a 2 TD or less favorite.
Head coach Dabo Swinney has a lot of respect for Duke’s coach Elko and is expecting a tough opener. He is also aware of the challenge posed by Duke’s quarterback Riley Leonard, who is a very talented thrower and the leading returning rusher.
“Huge opportunity for both teams, It’s the opener and a conference game and Dukes at home so great opportunity gonna be a tough opener.”, said Swinney, “Duke is a well-coached group especially forcing turnovers and pinning you up”
Dabo Swinney
Clemson is confident in the offensive line, which has been working hard, and is a very close group. Coach Swinney is excited to see them play and believes they are a tough group.
“I’m excited about our offensive line and they are fully healthy and ready to go Monday night.”, They are a tough group and work hard and a very close group, so I wanna see them play well and am just excited to see them play.” Said Dabo, “We have 7 starters on the offensive line Obviously we can only run 5 but if we could run 7 we would, I see all 7 guys as starters, all 7 can play and will play.”
Dabo Swinney
The Tigers have an advantage on the defensive line, as they return 75% of production while Duke has lost 53% of production.
Swinney talked a little about Dukes Quarterback, “Riley Leonard is a very talented QB, very accurate thrower and very well coached, he is a problem; a leading rusher, thrower, and just really really fast dude, big and strong and can break tackles.”
Clemson has been through spring and fall camp with great focus and energy; they are ready to start the season.
When Swinney talked about his team, “We had one bad day out of the whole camp, we had one day where I felt like it didn’t need to be and it had to be coached, and its a part of coaching and what you have to do to get this team where they need to be.”
Swinney talked about Clemson’s speed all over the field: “We have guys that can run and can fly and I’m excited to see them play.”
The moment has been waited on all spring and summer, as Clemson gets ready to start the season with Duke on Monday night. It will be a great test for the Tigers as they look to defend their ACC Championship title. Dabo is confident in his team and their preparation, “I feel like we’re ready to compete. I know our team has worked hard for this moment, and we’ll be ready to go.”
The Tigers are ready to take on the Blue Devils on Monday night. Tiger fans hope the history of success against the Blue Devils continues in the opener. Coach Swinney is confident in his team and is expecting a tough opener, but extremely excited about where his team is and hopes for a great performance.
