Duke Football: Duke 4-0 in consecutive seasons for first time in 65 years

The Duke football team’s indomitable spirit has led to its 4-0 start, marking the first time since the 1952-53 seasons that the Blue Devils have accomplished that feat twice in a row.

Duke football fans have plenty to smile about after the Blue Devils’ 55-13 win over the North Carolina Central Eagles on Saturday:

• Seven straight victories dating back to last season.
• Back-to-back 4-0 starts for the first time since Baby Boomers were entering this world.
• Outscoring the competition 150-61.
• Eleven touchdown passes and zero interceptions so far this season — the best mark of any team in the country — with three different quarterbacks under center.
• Only three total turnovers compared to 11 for its opponents.
• The only team from the Coastal Division that is still undefeated — Virginia Tech, Duke’s next opponent and the only other Coastal team who had started 3-0, fell at Old Dominion, 49-35, on Saturday.

With so many players having to step up to take the place of injured Blue Devils and so much success from so many different guys at so many different positions on both sides of the ball, keeping up with all the individual stats and lineup changes has become a daunting task for fans.

But here’s a solution to simplify the process of rooting for this season’s Duke squad: Just enjoy watching the dudes with the word “Duke” across their chests continue to manhandle the competition.

Don’t be caught up with individual accolades. Because these Blue Devils sure aren’t.

Here’s another piece of advice: Take solace in knowing that no matter what Duke’s final record is this season, four victories matches the combined number of wins from the four seasons prior to coach David Cutcliffe’s arrival in Durham in 2008.

And although six consecutive losses followed last season’s 4-0 start, take it from Cutcliffe that last season is just last season.

“No season has anything to do with the last one,” Cutcliffe said after the game. “Getting to 4-0 has been different [from last season] and not easy. Getting to 4-0 a year ago wasn’t easy. The way you get to 5-0 is to play great. The only way you play great is you go out on that practice field.”

The Duke Blue Devils take on the Virginia Tech Hokies at home at 7 p.m. EST on Saturday.