Duke faced another setback on Saturday when their quarterback, Riley Leonard, suffered a presumed lower leg injury in the final moments of their game against Notre Dame. This unfortunate incident occurred shortly after Leonard lost possession of the ball in Duke's last offensive play of the game, following Notre Dame's earlier go-ahead touchdown.
Duke's medical staff promptly tended to Leonard on the field, assisting him as he was helped off the turf and into the medical injury tent for a more thorough assessment.
Sam Hartman, the quarterback for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Leonard's counterpart on the opposing team, patiently waited outside the injury tent as Leonard received medical attention. The two quarterbacks exchanged words before eventually departing.
Hartman completed 222 passing yards and gained 23 rushing yards, including a crucial 4th and 16 play that set up Audric Estime's game-winning touchdown when Notre Dame was trailing 14-13.
Leonard, who has been the most productive rushing quarterback in the FBS this season, concluded the game with a 12-of-27 passing record, amassing 134 yards, a touchdown, and an interception. He also contributed 88 rushing yards on 18 attempts.
Leading up to Saturday's game, Leonard played a pivotal role in Duke's undefeated 4-0 start to the season. He had accumulated 778 passing yards with two touchdowns and 228 rushing yards with an additional four touchdowns before facing Notre Dame.
As the clock wound down in the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils witnessed Notre Dame march down the field and score a go-ahead touchdown, allowing what could have been a memorable victory to slip through their fingers. To compound their woes, the situation took a turn for the worse when quarterback Riley Leonard suffered a potentially significant injury on the game's final play.
Leonard's injury cast a pall over Notre Dame's celebration and silenced an already disheartened crowd. Prior to the loss, Leonard had steered his team to an undefeated start, including an impressive victory over Clemson in Week 1. Despite the setback, the Blue Devils maintain high hopes for the remainder of the season, and the entire program anxiously awaits updates on Leonard's condition.
Leonard sustained an ankle injury during Duke's last offensive play, which resulted in a strip-sack by Howard Cross III. Cross approached from behind, and a significant portion of his weight landed on Leonard's lower legs as the quarterback fell to the ground. While Notre Dame celebrated their fumble recovery that sealed the game's conclusion, Leonard remained on the field, clearly in considerable pain.
Riley Leonard suffered an apparent leg injury during Duke's final play when Marik Liufau of Notre Dame sacked him. Leonard lost possession of the ball, and his knee appeared to bend inward during the play. He remained on the field for an extended period and received medical attention before being assisted off the field.
Following the postgame activities when both teams had left, Leonard emerged from the medical tent. He used crutches to make his way back to the tunnel, where his teammate Jacob Monk provided assistance in returning to the locker room.
Monk expressed his support for Leonard after the 21-14 loss, stating, "I just let him know I'm always there for him. I slipped up on the last play of the game, and I can't let that happen. So I just let him know I'm here for him, always."
Saturday's defeat against Notre Dame took a sudden turn for the worse for the Duke Blue Devils.
Duke was in the midst of trying to mount a comeback after surrendering a one-point lead with less than a minute remaining in the game. Quarterback Riley Leonard, who had been performing admirably in the second half, fell victim to a strip sack by Notre Dame's pass rush. However, the game-ending turnover was not the primary concern for the Blue Devils.
During the strip sack, Leonard's leg became trapped and awkwardly bent as he was knocked backward. Almost immediately, he reached for his ankle, clearly experiencing significant pain. It took the assistance of two teammates to carry him off the field, a symbolic reflection of Duke's challenging night in more ways than one.
Leonard's final passing yardage for the night stood at 134, but it's his remarkable performance during what seemed to be a potential game-winning drive for Duke that should leave a lasting impression on fans. Throughout that crucial drive, Leonard played a pivotal role in eating up nearly six minutes of game time, putting tremendous pressure on the Irish, a situation they eventually managed to escape from.
Leonard's display was characterized by resilience, particularly when he scrambled for 14 yards on consecutive plays, significantly aiding in the drive's progression. While Duke ultimately had to punt and succeeded in pinning Notre Dame inside their own five-yard line, it proved insufficient to hold off the No. 11 ranked team in the nation.
Q: Is Riley Leonard injured?
A: Riley Leonard's Injury: Duke's Star QB Exits in Last Moments of Thrilling Defeat to Notre Dame. Duke quarterback Riley Leonard endured an evident lower-body injury in the waning seconds of the No. 17 Blue Devils' 21-14 loss to No.
Q: Is Riley Leonard injured?
A: Indeed, Riley Leonard is presently dealing with an injury. The specifics regarding the injury's severity and the anticipated recovery timeline may differ, so it is recommended to keep an eye on updates from authoritative sources for the most precise updates regarding his injury status.
Q: What is the latest news on Riley Leonard's injury?
A: Riley Leonard, Duke's quarterback, sustained an injury to his lower body during the closing moments of the game against Notre Dame. The exact nature and severity of the injury are currently being evaluated by medical professionals. Further updates on his condition are expected in the coming days.
Q: How did Riley Leonard get injured in the game against Notre Dame?
A: Riley Leonard suffered his injury when he was tackled during a play in the game against Notre Dame. The tackle resulted in an apparent lower-body injury, and he had to leave the field for medical evaluation.
Q: What impact will Riley Leonard's injury have on Duke's football season?
A: The extent of the impact of Riley Leonard's injury on Duke's football season will depend on the nature and severity of the injury. It's too early to determine the full implications, but Duke will likely adjust its quarterback situation accordingly.
Q: When can we expect an update on Riley Leonard's injury status?
A: Updates on Riley Leonard's injury status are anticipated to be provided by Duke's medical staff and coaching team as they assess the injury further. Fans and the public can expect to receive more information in the coming days or weeks.
Q: Is there a timeline for Riley Leonard's potential return to the field?
A: The timeline for Riley Leonard's return to the field will be determined by his recovery process and medical evaluations. It's too early to specify a return date, as it depends on the severity of the injury and his rehabilitation progress.