DURHAM -- Duke plans to improve its defense this season by "being a little unpredictable," defensive coordinator Marion Hobby said.
But the most difficult thing to predict is if it will work.
While the storylines through fall camp have centered on new starting quarterback Sean Renfree's strong grasp of the offense, the competition at place-kicker, and whether Duke has enough firepower to put together its first winning football season since 1994; the true key to the Blue Devils' success will be the effectiveness of their new "multiple" defensive scheme.
"We definitely want to put more pressure on the quarterback, create a lot more turnovers from last year," senior cornerback Chris Rwabukamba said. "Do whatever it takes to win."
Duke, which finished 5-7 last season, opted to make some adjustments to its defensive look after finishing ninth in the ACC in total defense (allowing 368.6 yards per game), tied for 11th in interceptions (eight) and 11th in sacks (19).
With starting linemen Vince Oghobaase and Ayanga Okpokowuruk gone to the pros and key would-be backups John Drew and Brandon Putnam kicked off the team in January after being charged with felonious possession and discharge of a weapon, Hobby and coach David Cutcliffe knew they would have to compensate for a thin defensive line.
So rather than sticking with a 4-3 front, Duke will use multiple fronts by mixing in a lot of different looks.
"[Opponents] have got to be ready for a little 3-4 with us, a little four-down," Hobby said. "They've got to be ready for a little true stack, 3-5. So we're going to give them some different looks."
In the new alignment, senior Abraham Kromah has moved from outside linebacker to middle linebacker. Senior Adam Banks is manning the "Devil" position, a hybrid spot that combines linebacker, safety and defensive end duties. And when Duke uses a three-man front, redshirt freshmen Kevin Rojas or August Campbell joins them at middle linebacker.
The biggest individual change though, has been for senior outside linebacker Damian Thornton, who has also been shifting up to the edge of the line of scrimmage to put more pressure on the quarterback.
"Doing all those things - SAM position, D-end, rushing the quarterback - I think it plays to my size and my strength, which is my strength," Thornton said. "... It helps give [opponents] different looks ... maybe more to think about."
Which is the goal - especially if the Devils want to shake up opposing quarterbacks more often, beginning with Saturday's season-opener against Elon.
"We're going to take the aggressive approach ... you're going to see an aggressive Duke defense," Hobby said. "And when you're aggressive, it's feast or famine sometimes."
Cutcliffe said he knows there will be a growing process with the new-look scheme, especially with so many young reserves learning how to fill in the gaps.
"That's part of the challenge," he said. "That's harder to do than just stating, 'we're going to be multiple.' With being as aggressive as we might be in certain circumstances, something you have to be willing to deal with getting burned. And that's just part of it."
Another unpredictable element.
