Thrust into the starting role following the season-ending injury to redshirt senior quarterback Thomas Sirk, redshirt freshman Daniel Jones started all 12 games under center for the Blue Devils, set or tied 23 school records and was named team MVP.
Jones received an ACC-leading four ACC Rookie of the Week accolades, was named a Manning Award Star of the Week twice and a Davey O'Brien "Great 8" QB once.
Jones was at his best against the stiffest competition, leading Duke to a 38-35 victory at Notre Dame, a 28-27 upset win versus No. 15 North Carolina and posting a 149.70 quarterback rating at No. 7 Louisville.
In the season opener, against N.C. Central, Jones set Duke freshman single-game records for pass efficiency (216.15), average yards per completion (18.90) and average yards per attempt (12.60).
In week two versus Wake Forest, Jones established the Duke rookie record for most plays in a game with 67 (19 rushes, 48 passes).
At Notre Dame, Jones tied the freshman single-game record with a 75.0 percent completion rate (24-for-32) and tied the Duke standard for touchdown passes of 20 or more yards with three.
Fighting through Hurricane Matthew, Jones led Duke to a 13-6 victory against Army West Point with a 22-yard touchdown pass to Aaron Young.
At Georgia Tech, Jones guided Duke back from 14-0 and 28-7 first-half deficits to a 35-31 lead with 8:55 remaining in the game as he threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, both to tight end Daniel Helm. Jones also contributed a then career-high 73 rushing yards.
In the home finale against No. 15 North Carolina, Jones accounted for three touchdowns with two rushing scores and the game-winning two-yard scoring strike to tight end Davis Koppenhaver in the third quarter. Duke trailed 14-0 after the opening quarter and came away with a 28-27 victory.
In the season finale at Miami, Jones set the freshman record for most pass attempts without an interception in a game with 50. Jones did not throw an interception in his final four starts and concluded the season with 173 consecutive throws without a pick.
Credits:
Duke Athletics Grant Shorin Jim Shorin Spencer Herlong Matt Cashore JC Ridley