Darian Mensah returns to Tulane with everything to prove

Brian Schaible

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Darian Mensah returns to Tulane with everything to prove image

For Duke quarterback Darian Mensah, Saturday night will be about more than numbers on a stat sheet. It will be about walking back into Yulman Stadium, the place where his college career began.

Mensah has been the driving force for the Blue Devils, throwing for 723 yards, five touchdowns, and just one interception. His accuracy and composure have given Duke life in the early weeks of the season. But when he steps onto the field in New Orleans, he knows the emotions will hit differently. “Yeah, it is definitely going to be a little bit weird, you know, going over there, my old team,” he admitted. “But once the ball is snapped, ball is ball, and I think it is going to be a big time matchup.”

The ties run deep. Mensah built friendships and trust inside Tulane’s locker room, and he remains grateful for what the program gave him. “Tulane was awesome. What makes that place special is those coaches. They really care about their players. That is the hardest part, leaving those relationships behind. Tulane gave me the opportunity to be where I am at right now, and I am extremely grateful,” he said.

That gratitude does not soften the competitive edge. He knows he will likely hear the boos from a stadium that once cheered him on. “I will probably be the opposite of a fan favorite this week,” Mensah said with a smile. “But I look forward to that crowd and that noise. When you go into somebody else’s stadium and take what is theirs, that is something that cannot be replicated.”

For Darian Mensah, this is not just a road game. It is a homecoming filled with memories, emotions, and the chance to prove he has grown into the quarterback Duke needs.

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Brian Schaible

Brian Schaible is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He is an award-winning journalist with over 25 years of experience covering college and professional sports. Brian holds a master’s degree in journalism/public relations from Kent State University.