Duke OC Jonathan Brewer Blunt Assessment of the Offense

The Duke Blue Devils' offense has been the driving force for the team's success this season, and offensive coordinator Jonathan Brewer has been at the forefront of that.

While speaking with the media on Monday, Brewer addressed some of the offense's strengths and shortcomings as the team enters a pivotal Week 10 matchup against the Clemson Tigers.

Oct 18, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils running back Anderson Castle (4) runs with the ball 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

Brewer's Thoughts

"We've moved the ball up and down [the field] on pretty much everybody. We just have timely missed execution [on] opportunities down in the red zone that we've got to capitalize on," Brewer said. "There's certain sets or certain things that we can gameplan around now, knowing some tendencies as far as run-pass options and certain personnel on the field."

Brewer continued to speak on those red zone inefficiencies and the level of frustration when the offense isn't able to finish off drives in the end zone. The offensive coordinator spoke specifically about the Blue Devils' first offensive drive against Georgia Tech a couple of weeks ago.

Sep 27, 2025; Syracuse, New York, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) calls a play in the first quarter against the Syracuse Orange at the JMA Wireless Dome. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-Imagn Images | Mark Konezny-Imagn Images

"You get frustrated. I've listened to the players, and they wanted to run it in. We [did not] execute it," Brewer continued. "I probably could have called a couple things different down there. Obviously, the zone read that gets picked up for a 14-point swing is a killer in the game when you go 95 yards to start off the game, and you're moving the ball at will and just not able to capitalize [by] putting the ball in the end zone."

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

The issues in the red zone were not present during the first few weeks of the season, but has been overwhelmingly an aspect in Duke's last few games. Brewer acknowledged this as well.

Oct 4, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) throws on the run against the California Golden Bears during the fourth quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images | D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

"That was really the key difference in the first three games of the season and last three before the Georgia Tech game, was us being able to score," Brewer stated. "Our guys know that they [understand] the importance. It's not they're not trying to it or I'm not trying to call plays to make that stuff happen. It's just for some reason it didn't work out."

Sep 24, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; A Duke Blue Devils helmet sits on the turf before the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Notre Dame Stadium. Duke won 38-35. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-Imagn Images | Matt Cashore-Imagn Images

Obviously, the Blue Devils coaching staff and players realize that this cannot continue to be a recurring issue. If it continues to carry over into each and every week, Duke is going to have a hard time winning games that it feels it should. Clemson is a team who will take advantage of those miscues and make the Blue Devils regret those mistakes at the end of the game.

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