Duke quarterback Riley Leonard was thrust into the nationwide highlight on Monday as he led the Blue Devils to an upset victory over No. 9 Clemson, 28-7.
Leonard had an enormous dashing landing within the third quarter to provide the Blue Devils the lead. Duke didn’t look again from there. Taking part in a prime faculty like Clemson is motivation sufficient for a participant like Leonard, however he positively will get some additional assist from his mom earlier than video games.
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Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard, #13, appears to be like to cross through the second quarter in opposition to the Clemson Tigers at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, Sept. 4, 2023. ( Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports activities)
The junior quarterback, who had 20 landing passes in 2022, receives a textual content from his mom earlier than each recreation for added motivation. The textual content message reads, “You suck.”
The weird pregame ritual was highlighted on the ESPN broadcast. Leonard even wears a bracelet that reads, “You suck.” The published defined that Leonard makes use of his mom’s textual content to “hold his ego in verify.”
Leonard dedicated to Duke in 2020. He appeared in seven video games in his freshman season earlier than taking the reins final yr. The Blue Devils had been 9-4 final season and had not had at the very least 9 wins in a season since 2014. Additionally they received their first bowl recreation since 2018.
TURNOVER-FILLED CLEMSON LOSS TO DUKE ‘ALMOST INDESCRIBABLE,’ DABO SWINNEY SAYS
Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard, #13, passes through the second quarter in opposition to the Clemson Tigers at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, Sept. 4, 2023. (Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports activities)
The Alabama native acquired provides from Ole Miss, Syracuse, Tulane, South Alabama, Southern Miss, Nebraska, Vanderbilt and New Orleans earlier than he went to Duke, in accordance with 247 Sports activities.
On Monday, Leonard was 17-of-33 for 175 yards. He additionally rushed for 98 yards, buoyed by the 44-yard landing scamper within the third quarter.
Nate Wiggins, #2 of the Clemson Tigers, makes an attempt to sort out Riley Leonard, #13 of the Duke Blue Devils, as he runs the ball throughout a soccer recreation at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina, on Sept. 4, 2023. (David Jensen/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Photographs)
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“I am type of confused proper now,” he mentioned instantly after the sport.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
