Duke loses freshman linebacker for the season
Duke lost a second linebacker to a season-ending injury.
Freshman Elliott Schaper won’t play for the rest of the season after going down at Clemson, coach Manny Diaz said on Monday.
Schaper was injured on Sahmir Hagans’ 100-yard kick return touchdown in the second half of Duke’s 46-45 win. Schaper made the last block that helped spring Hagans down the sideline — but as he turned to make the block, his right leg appeared to buckle. You can see a replay of the return here.
“Tough blow for him,” Diaz said. “Such a courageous play he made. … Everything for the long term looks really good.”
Schaper was one of the defensive heroes in Duke’s 45-21 win at California a month ago. The Blue Devils have been without Nick Morris Jr. since the first half of the N.C. State game. Kendall Johnson was unavailable in Berkeley. And then Tre Freeman was injured early and Bradley Gompers was ejected for a targeting penalty.
Against the Golden Bears, Schaper had 12 tackles, two sacks and an interception.
Freeman and Johnson have since returned from injuries. And Luke Mergott has filled well for Morris in the middle of Duke’s defense — Mergott has double-digit tackles in each of Duke’s last two games.
“Another blow for the linebacker room,” Diaz said. “Guys will have to step up. We’ll be thin there.
“Hate it for Elliott. Obviously he’s got a great future here at Duke and this is just all part of a long journey for him.”
Schaper played in six games, so he’s ineligible for a four-game or medical redshirt. He finishes the season with 16 tackles, two sacks and that interception at Cal.
