The Blue Devils were 1-2 after losses to Illinois and Tulane but responded with victories over NC State and Syracuse to open ACC play. Quarterback Darian Mensah, a redshirt sophomore transfer from Tulane, leads the ACC with 1,573 passing yards (329.3 per game) and 13 touchdowns. He has just two interceptions. Mensah's favorite target is wide receiver Cooper Barkate, a graduate student and Harvard transfer who averages 19.5 yards for each of his 21 catches.
BERKELEY After three decisive victories, an unexpected defeat and a come-from-behind road win to open ACC play, Cal faces a potent Duke team on Saturday night, hoping to improve to 5-1 for the first time in 10 seasons. We've seen some stretches of good football, Cal coach Justin Wilcox said. Now it's about: What does our best look like? That's what we need to find out. We're going to have to play our best this weekend.