A week after one of the most lopsided defeats in program history, head coach Ted Roof knows exactly what his team needs to do this weekend.
"We've got to take care of business and we've got to perform," Roof said. "It's all about execution and cleaning up our own house."
The Blue Devils (0-2) will look to battle their way to Duke's first victory of the season against Virginia Military Institute (1-1) at 1 p.m. in Wallace Wade Stadium Saturday. The Keydets come to Durham fresh off a 41-7 loss last week at the hands of William & Mary, during which they surrendered 469 yards of total offense.
Last year, VMI failed to win a single game in Division I-AA, posting an 0-11 record on the season while being outscored by opponents 327-137.
Despite the Keydets' recent futility, Roof said his squad is not overlooking VMI, a team that completes over 70 percent of its passes. The Keydet offense also features running back Sean Mizzer, who has averaged 98.5 yards on the ground in VMI's first two contests.
"I know they'll play hard," Roof said. "They'll play for 60 minutes and they'll be very disciplined. I expect us to play well and come out of the tunnel smoking."
In the wake of last week's 45-0 loss to Virginia Tech, during which the Blue Devils were only able to muster a paltry 35 yards of total offense, Roof has focused the team on execution and fundamentals. More specifically, Duke has worked on simple plays and timing routes in order to establish greater confidence and offensive efficiency.
The Blue Devils have thought little about the specifics of VMI this weekend, instead choosing to focus on themselves and their own game plan.
"We're not trying to scheme [opponents], we're just doing what we can do and what we've been doing," said quarterback Mike Schneider, who completed just four-of-14 passes for 14 yards last week. "We've kind of gotten out of that and tried to scheme a few people, and I think now we're just more focused on ourselves. We know that this week, we can only beat ourselves."
Roof was adamant in his support for Schneider, who has thrown for just 153 yards, three interceptions, and no touchdowns in his first two games. Despite the junior's recent struggles, Roof made it clear that Schneider remains his number one option at the position, while expressing his belief that the starter is not the main reason for the Blue Devils struggles thus far this season.
"We'll absolutely be sticking with him, he's our quarterback," Roof said. "Too much of the focus always goes on the quarterback-when we lose, he gets way too much of the blame, and when we win, he gets way too much credit."
Schneider seemed unphased by questions about his job security following two lackluster offensive performances.
"As a quarterback you always have that added pressure and at any time you always have the opportunity of losing your job or not losing your job," he said. "I don't really feel any pressure, I know that the job is mine and it's up to me. If I play good, it's my job, and if not, then it's up to the coaches."
Although Schneider has been Duke's clear-cut starter, backup Curt Dukes has seen some action at quarterback, completing one-of-five passes and throwing an interception. But Roof said Dukes will be sidelined for Saturday's contest with a knee injury.
Further complicating matters are the pending legal issues involving freshman quarterback Gene Delle Donne, who was arrested early Sunday morning and charged with driving after consuming drugs or alcohol by a person less than 21 years. Roof said Delle Donne would not dress or play Saturday.
That leaves true freshmen Marcus Jones and Zack Asack as Schneider's primary backups, neither of whom have taken a collegiate snap at quarterback. Jones, who has started each of Duke's first two games at wide receiver, has caught two passes and Asack has been leading the scout team during practice, Roof said.
Regardless of who is under center, the entire offense will have to play as a more cohesive unit than they have over the course of the first two games, Roof said.
"Just being consistent, it's like it's one guy every play," said running back Cedric Dargan of the team's biggest offensive problem. "If we can just get all 11 guys on the same page on every play, I think we'll be alright."
Schneider added that the Blue Devils will have to avoid the penalties that have left them in third-and-long situations. Against the Hokies, Duke amassed nine penalties for 68 yards.
Despite their recent offensive troubles and the pressure to win after last weeks blowout, the Blue Devils are approaching VMI as they would any other game.
"I don't think there's any more added pressure than there is any other week," Schneider said. "I think that as a team you're always going to have pressure. I believe that we know we have to go out there and just play football and we'll do fine."
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