Riley Leonard leads Duke to upset over Clemson, but homework extension denied
Posted September 5, 2023 9:40 p.m. EDT
Updated September 6, 2023 4:14 p.m. EDT
Durham, N.C. — Duke quarterback Riley Leonard was denied a homework extension after leading the Blue Devils to a stunning 28-7 upset over the then-ranked No. 9 Clemson on Monday night.
The junior dual-threat quarterback, threw for 175 yards and ran for 98 yards and a touchdown.
Leonard's 44-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the second half put Duke in front for good.
The Blue Devil fans stormed the field, celebrating their program's first top-10 college football win since 1989. Leonard was the star of the game, leading Duke in rushing yards.
However, after his performance, the realities of schoolwork set in, and Leonard asked his professors for an extension on a homework assignment.
"Professor Taylor, if you're seeing this, please let me turn in my homework late because it's due tonight - I think - at 12 [midnight]," Leonard said.
Donald H. Taylor, a Sanford School of Public Policy professor, responded to Leonard's request Tuesday afternoon. He denied Leonard's request because his teammates could finish the homework assignment before the deadline.
"Hey, Riley. Great game last night; it was so exciting. Congratulations to you and all your teammates. But you know, Wesley Williams and the other linemen who were in the class, they said prepared ahead and did it ahead of time," Taylor said. "So, why didn't the quarterback?
"So, no way, man. No extension."
After Monday night's win, Duke is ranked No. 21 in the AP Top 25. It's the Blue Devils first time being ranked since 2018. Clemson fell to No. 25.
The Duke Blue Devils will be back in action on Saturday when they host the Lafayette Leopards at Wallace Wade Stadium in Durham.
