DURHAM, N.C. – Six interceptions, two returned for touchdowns, 24.0 tackles for loss, 11.0 sacks, 16 pass breakups and 14 quarterback pressures. Whew. Duke’s defense has been busy through the first three games of the 2017 season.
The Blue Devils will head into Saturday’s game at North Carolina with the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense (47.67 ypg), No. 7 total defense (223.00 ypg), No. 1 total defense among programs that have faced two or more Power 5 programs and No. 2 third down defense (11.76 conversion percentage allowed).
How has a unit that finished 67th nationally in total defense in 2016 made such a jump at the start of 2017?