Duke football coach [autotag]Manny Diaz[/autotag] answered a lot of media questions about the Blue Devils during the ACC Football Kickoff on Wednesday, and few topics came up as often as his quarterback battle.
Returning sophomore [autotag]Grayson Loftis[/autotag] and Texas transfer [autotag]Maalik Murphy[/autotag] split time with the offense during this spring’s Blue & White Game, and the Blue Devils haven’t called either one of them their starter yet. According to Diaz, however, there’s not much pressure in the decision.
“I think the team believes we can win with either guy,” Diaz told ACC Network. “I think that’s the key.”
Murphy and Loftis, who both made the trip along with Diaz, spoke earlier in the day about how they’ve become friends and enjoyed practicing together despite both wanting the starting job.
During an earlier appearance on the network on Wednesday morning, Diaz broke down what he and his coaches want from whichever passer leads the huddle.
“More than anything is win the game for us,” Diaz said. “And the first way you do that is don’t lose the game. So, manage the team. Protect the football. Get the ball to our playmakers, of which we think we have plenty…Let the ball go where the defense tells you to put it.”
Diaz said the team will have two scrimmages within its first 15 days back on campus, and the results of those battles will help decide which quarterback starts the season atop the depth chart.