Duke kicked off the 2011 season with positive momentum, defeating Elon University 41-27 in the home opener.

The Blue Devils capped the victory with two rushing touchdowns late in the fourth, the first on a three-yard rushing score from freshman Josh Snead with 8:12 left, and a second by running back Jay Hollingsworth from one -yard out with 2:19 left to cap the victory.

Sophomore quarterback Sean Renfree led the Blue Devil offense, posting 349 yards and two scores on 31 completions.

Renfree's first score came on an eight-yard pass down the middle to Donovan Varner with 15 seconds left in the first quarter, putting the Blue Devils up 14-3.

The Duke quarterback helped pad that score in the second quarter, throwing a seven-yard pass to Brandon King for a 21-3 Blue Devil lead.

Placekicker Will Snyderwine converted two field goals, his first from 22 yards and his second from 21.

Running back Desmond Scott opened the scoring for Duke, rushing 38 yards for a touchdown at with 10:38 in the first quarter to take a 7-3 lead. Scott finished the day with 77 yards on 15 carries.

Elon quarterback Scott Riddle made it close in the fourth, rushing for 11 yards down the left side with 12:40 left to close the score to 27-20, then throwing a 31-yard pass to Kierre Brown for the team's final touchdown of the game. Riddle finished the night with 22 completions on 42 attempts while posting 284 passing yards.