Duke football is sitting pretty at 3-0 after kicking off ACC play with a dominant 35-7 win over Stanford on September 19, but if you think they are feeling themselves, you haven’t been listening to tight end Jeremiah Hasley. This squad knows every game is personal, and they are not about to let up.
The “Every Game Is Personal” Mentality
Hasley laid it out plain after the Stanford victory, saying, “Every game is personal.” He made it clear that the opponent simply does not matter. The team’s focus has to be on bringing it every single day. Even after that huge 35-7 win, Hasley admitted, “We didn’t play our best (against Stanford) on offense or defense.” He said the chip on their shoulder is real and they know they need to do better, starting with their Week 4 matchup against William & Mary on September 26. This reigning ACC champion team has carried that attitude through their first three games, and it is going to be tested again this week.
Coach Diaz Keeps Them Grounded
Third-year head coach Manny Diaz is not letting anyone forget their past, either. He pointed directly to their recent struggles against FCS opponent Elon. In 2024, they only led Elon 10-0 at halftime. The next year, 2025, they were tied 10-10 at the break! Diaz noted they combined to outscore Elon 51-10 in the second half of those two games, but that sluggish start is a constant reminder. Diaz said, “We’ve not played very well against Elon in the first half of the last two years.” He wants the team to keep building that chip, doing things with excellence where they have fallen short before. Diaz is clear: the lesson is about Duke, not William & Mary. He is laser focused on his team’s process, watching for any slips in effort or body language. Championship programs adjust their standard, and that is what Duke is trying to do week in and week out.
This is the second time Duke is 3-0 under Diaz since he took over in 2024. They already bagged big wins against Tulane and Illinois, two teams they lost to last year! Now, they have a shot to be 4-0 for the second time in his tenure. Diaz is pleased with the Stanford win but says the process starts fresh. He sees a lot to improve upon and wants more guys stepping up to make them a better version of themselves in Week 4.
The Blue Devils face William & Mary on September 26. Kickoff is at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Network Extra. You know they are bringing that “every game is personal” energy.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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