Duke’s Manny Diaz Reveals True Feelings About His Team

The Duke Blue Devils enter Week 10 with a 4-3 overall record and a 3-1 record in conference play.

While addressing the media on Monday during his press conference availability, head coach Manny Diaz shared his thoughts on where his team succeeds, while acknowledging areas that need improvement.

Sep 6, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz during the fourth quarter against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

Diaz's Thoughts

"We feel like there were some shots down the field that we can be more consistent hitting on offense," Diaz explained.

"Defensively, our explosive pass plays [allowed], you look at our numbers defense where our yards per attempt on defense isn't normal for what we've done through the years. Run defense up front, we feel like we are improving. I feel like we've gotten better from where we were a year ago."

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on during the first half of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Finding success in football involves all three phases of the game, which include special teams. Diaz understands that and believes that has been one of the strong areas for the Blue Devils this season.

"The four phases - our two coverage teams and our two return teams - I'm really proud of the jump we've made on special teams," Diaz said. "I don't think a team is returning a kickoff past our 20-yard line in about a month. In an era where you can fair catch [at any part of the field] and take it to the 25-yard line (touchback), people aren't even getting to the 20-yard line."

"I think we're fourth in our conference in punt returns. Punting the ball, the [number] of punts we've had downed - we've only given up 13 punt return yards the whole season in seven games - is extraordinary," Diaz said. "We're pinning people deep when we are punting the football."

Sep 20, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils kicker Todd Pelino (29) celebrates a field goal with defensive end Kevin O'Connor (15) during the first quarter against the NC State Wolfpack at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images | Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

The field goal unit has left a lot to be desired, which was apparent in the loss to the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in Week 8. Diaz revealed that concern on Monday, and wants that issue resolved as soon as possible.

"Where we've not been the unit, we want to be is our field goal team. I feel like specialists are kind of like quarterbacks - everyone's got to play well around the specialists for them to have success," Diaz continued.

Aug 28, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz looks on before the game against the Elon Phoenix at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images | James Guillory-Imagn Images

"We've had two kicks this year where the snap has been high and inside on our holder, and those should still be able to be put down for us to kick. Those are happening in key games."

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive tackle David Anderson (44) faces off during the first half of the game against Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

"In a new era of college football where games are going to be tight, everybody's kind of the same, you just can't be leveraging points and throwing away points with your field goal unit."

"That's really one of the storylines of what we feel like has happened. We got to play better around our place kicker, but we also feel like we have to open up competition at that spot to get the team where we feel like we're more consistent."

Sep 18, 2021; Durham, North Carolina, USA; A Duke Blue Devils helmet sits on an equipment box during the fourth quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Howard-Imagn Images | William Howard-Imagn Images

This sentiment is obviously important when taking into account Duke's opponent in Week 10, which is the Clemson Tigers. Points cannot be left on the board against a team of Clemson's caliber.

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