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Eli Pancol returns to Duke football and enjoys the moments with the Blue Devils

DURHAM – Eli Pancol was “close to tears” during halftime of Duke University’s football game against Elon.

With the Blue Devils leading at Wallace Wade Stadium, Pancol thought about a 611-day journey that ended with his return to the field Friday night.

“I'm emotionally messed up, I'm not going to lie,” said Pancol, a sixth-year wide receiver who missed the 2023 season with a lower-body injury.

Duke's testimony against Elon

Pancol caught seven balls for 81 yards and a touchdown in Duke's 26-3 win to open the 2024 season. After 45 career games, Pancol is nearing 1,000 receiving yards with six TDs. On Friday, he caught his first pass since the 2022 Military Bowl.

So what almost brought tears to our eyes at half-time?

It was a 55-yard catch late in the second quarter that sparked the emotion, a catch that jump-started Duke's offense and led to the game's first touchdown. As soon as Pancol saw the coverage, he said, he knew he was going to get the ball.

“To be honest, I was pretty nervous,” Pancol said. “I didn't even put the ball in properly on the first catch. … After I got hit, I was relaxed. That (long) catch helped a lot too.”

The emotions returned after the game when Pancol contacted his mother Alison.

“She was just so proud of me,” Pancol said. “She said she cried, and I almost cried at halftime, so it was just a great feeling to be back. I love this team, I love Duke.”

Highlights in Duke's win against Elon

His seventh and final catch of the game was a 7-yard touchdown pass from Maalik Murphy on third down and goal in the third quarter.

“Our locker room was excited. … It's tough for any player coming back from an injury and not being able to play,” said new Duke coach Manny Diaz.

“But when you get to this point in your career, when you get older and suddenly start to face life after football, he appreciates every day in this program. Because it's like a new life and he has his football back.”

Eli Pancol's road to recovery for Duke Football

Eli Pancol is making up for lost time and taking advantage of every moment given to him on and off the field.

Pancol was selected for Academic All-ACC and received his degree in Media and Visual Studies in 2023. He graduated from the Fuqua School of Business in May with a master's degree in management studies. He is currently pursuing another master's degree in business administration.

Pancol began his career at Duke in 2019 and played for three coaches over the course of his time: Diaz, Mike Elko and David Cutcliffe.

Pancol suffered two injuries in ten months, including the preseason setback that cost him his 2023 season.

“It's a terrible feeling. You suffer a physical injury, but the worst part is the mental toll,” Pancol said. “…You just have to hang on and your time will come. You get stronger from it, and I got stronger from it.”

From the moment he entered the media room at the Yoh Football Center to the final handshake with teammate Cam Bergeron on the way out, Pancol was all smiles.

“I don't take anything for granted. Every single practice, every single game, I try to do my best because I know it can be taken for granted,” Pancol said, snapping his fingers.

Writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at [email protected] or @RoddBaxley on Twitter.

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