Duke Blue Devils Enter Bye Week 4-0 Under Manny Diaz Duke Blue Devils improve to 4-0 under head coach Manny Diaz, entering bye week atop ACC standings. Jonah Burton, Jared Richardson, Nick Morris Jr. trending upward. The Duke Blue Devils are 4-0 and entering their bye week under head coach Manny Diaz after a home win on Saturday, Sept. 5, 2026, at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham, North Carolina. Duke has now started 4-0 for the second time under Diaz and sits at the top of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) standings as the bulk of its schedule approaches. Duke's 4-0 Start Builds MomentumDuke has performed well in most areas of the game in each of its first four contests. The team's strong start has positioned it among the ACC leaders with the heart of the schedule nearly here. The bye week offers a chance for some of the team's stars to get added rest while the coaching staff prepares for the next phase of the season.Diaz and his staff will continue to run the offense through star running back Nate Sheppard. The receiving corps overall must be consistent when called upon. Duke does not appear to need a true number one receiver this season, as it has a slew of players who can make an impact at any moment. But through four games, Jonah Burton has been the top guy.Jonah Burton Emerges as Top ReceiverWide receiver Jonah Burton led the team in receiving for the third time in four weeks, tallying five catches for 63 yards against William & Mary on Sept. 26, 2026, at Wallace Wade Stadium. He is tied for the team lead in receptions with 13 and second in receiving yards with 187. Burton's consistency has made him a reliable target in Duke's offense.Against Stanford on Sept. 19, 2026, at Wallace Wade Stadium, Burton faced tight coverage from cornerback Jay Green, who broke up a pass attempt in the second half. Despite the challenge, Burton has remained productive and has become a key part of the Blue Devils' passing attack.Jared Richardson Finds Rhythm After Slow StartWide receiver Jared Richardson did not record a reception in either of Duke's first two games, which was surprising after he arrived in Durham expected to be a real threat in the receiving game. The Penn transfer has found a rhythm over the last two weeks, securing five receptions for 82 yards and his first touchdown as a Blue Devil against William & Mary.Richardson's productive resume from his time at Penn had generated hype, and he is expected to see his workload increase as the regular season progresses. With several receivers capable of becoming a lead target in any game, Richardson's talent suggests he will be a consistent factor.Nick Morris Jr. Anchors Duke DefenseSixth-year linebacker Nick Morris Jr. has had a hot start to his 2026 campaign after a 2025 season that kept him on the sidelines after four games with a leg injury. Through Duke's first four games this year, he leads the team in total tackles with 23 and has logged a fumble recovery.Morris contributed three total tackles against William & Mary on Sept. 26, 2026, at Wallace Wade Stadium. The Duke defense held the Tribe to 170 total yards of offense and 17 rushing yards on Saturday. Morris's leadership and production have been vital to the Blue Devils' defensive success.As Duke enters its bye week, the team is in as good a position as it could have asked for. With key players trending upward and the schedule set to intensify, the Blue Devils will look to maintain their momentum and compete for an ACC title.