Duke Football: Key players to watch against NC Central

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WACO, TX – SEPTEMBER 15: Deon Jackson #25 of the Duke Blue Devils breaks free against the Baylor Bears during the second half of a football game at McLane Stadium on September 15, 2018 in Waco, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) /

Deon Jackson

The Blue Devils entered this season with the expectation that Brittain Brown would be the team’s featured back and receive a majority of the carries. However a knee injury in the first game opened the door for Deon Jackson to get some work.

That door has remained open and Jackson has worked his way into regular carries and creating a committee at the running back position.

The carries have been split almost evenly over the first three games with Jackson getting 35 carries, which is two less than Brown. Meanwhile, the rushing yards are almost even with Brown running for 164 yards to Jackson’s 160 yards. However, Jackson does have two touchdowns to Brown’s one.

This is a game that the coaching staff could give Brown a chance to get healthy and give a lion’s share of the carries to Jackson. Expect Jackson to get the first 100-yard rushing game for the Blue Devils in 2018.

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