Tag: Blue Devils

Nov 2, 2024; Fayetteville, Arkansas, USA; Ole Miss Rebels head coach Lane Kiffin in the fourth quarter against the Arkansas Razorbacks at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium. Mississippi won 63-31. Mandatory Credit: Nelson Chenault-Imagn Images

No. 14 Ole Miss has something to prove in Gator Bowl vs. Duke

Posted on | by Field Level Media

There’s no shortage of motivation for No. 14 Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl.

The incentive for Duke might be a bit different, but the Blue Devils will be out to prove something as well Thursday night in Jacksonville, Fla.

Both teams hold 9-3 records but arrived at this point in different ways.

Ole Miss was a contender for a spot in the College Football Playoff, while Duke was under the radar for most of the season. It will be the first meeting between the teams.

“We have a chance to get 10 wins,” Ole Miss tight end Caden Prieskorn said. “… A lot of us know this is our last time really getting to throw an Ole Miss jersey on.”

Ole Miss appears to be fired up for this matchup. Quarterback Jaxson Dart, considered an NFL prospect, has thrown for 3,875 yards and 25 touchdowns. He will play in the game before focusing on draft preparation. Tre Harris had a team-high 1,030 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, though he could be limited by injuries.

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin has made comments disparaging other conferences in connection to the CFP committee’s selections for the 12-team tournament. So he’s bound to be determined to make a point on behalf of the Southeastern Conference against an Atlantic Coast Conference team.

The Rebels are on board.

“Everybody on this team is just so bought-in on what the coaches and Kiffin has been able to do these last couple years,” receiver Jordan Watkins said.

Duke is looking to cap another strong season with one more statement result despite some potential roster holes.

“You play to win the game and play to try to maximize all your players’ strengths,” first-year Blue Devils coach Manny Diaz said. “You have to do what is necessary to try to move the ball against a highly, highly disruptive defense.”

Duke has been decimated by defections, particularly on offense. Quarterback Maalik Murphy entered the transfer portal early in the process, while running back Star Thomas, who compiled a team-high 871 rushing yards, announced following Christmas that he was leaving. Murphy set the school’s single-season record with 26 touchdown passes.

The QB position for the bowl was further dinged because Grayson Loftis, who started several games late in the 2023 season, entered the portal as well. That leaves starting quarterback duties in the hands of Henry Belin IV.

“Henry is a guy who has won a game as a starter here a year ago,” Diaz said. “It’s a great lesson for everybody in the program that perseverance pays off, and he has a chance now to perform on an outstanding stage against a terrific opponent.”

Diaz said it will be important “to get our timing down for the passing offense.”

Belin will have receiver Eli Pancol, who is wrapping up his college career. Pancol has a team-high nine touchdown receptions.

Duke’s defense will have to rely on cornerback Chandler Rivers, who has been tabbed for several postseason honors. He had three interceptions and caused two fumbles during the regular season. He also notched 7 1/2 tackles for loss.

Duke, which will make its first appearance in the Gator Bowl, ranks second in the country with 14 fumble recoveries and 9.2 tackles for loss per game.

Ole Miss’ opt-out list includes linebacker Chris Paul and safety Jadon Canady.

The Rebels defeated five bowl-eligible teams this year, while Duke topped four.

Duke and Ole Miss have a common opponent in Wake Forest, which was drubbed by Ole Miss in September. It was later revealed the Demon Deacons had pulled out of next season’s game at Ole Miss. That rankled Kiffin and might further fuel his motivation against an ACC foe. Duke rallied to win at Wake Forest in the regular-season finale on a TD pass as time expired.

Duke is 8-8 all-time in bowls, though the Blue Devils have a five-game bowl winning streak. The last four of those victories have come against opponents outside of power conferences.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Southern Methodist Mustangs running back Brashard Smith (1) is tackled by Duke Blue Devils safety Jaylen Stinson (2) and linebacker Ozzie Nicholas (45) but scores a touchdown during the first half of the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Despite 6 turnovers, No. 22 SMU sinks Duke in OT

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Brashard Smith ran 24 yards for a touchdown on the second play of overtime and No. 22 SMU stopped Duke’s two-point conversion pass attempt in a 28-27 victory Saturday night at Durham, N.C.

SMU (7-1, 3-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) committed six turnovers, but survived because of Duke’s kicking woes.

Maalik Murphy threw 25 yards to Eli Pancol on Duke’s first snap of overtime before the Blue Devils opted to go for the win.

SMU blocked Todd Pelino’s 30-yard field goal attempt on the last play of regulation, the third kick to go awry for the Blue Devils in the second half.

Smith finished with 117 rushing yards and two scores on 26 carries. Kevin Jennings threw for 258 yards and a touchdown with three interceptions.

Duke (6-2, 2-2) was trying to rally from a double-digit second-half deficit to win for the second time after overcoming a 20-point hole in last month’s one-point victory against North Carolina. Murphy threw for three touchdowns and 295 yards on 27-for-48 passing.

Duke’s Ozzie Nicholas recovered Jennings’ fumble and returned it 21 yards to the SMU 14 with 58 seconds to play before the blocked field goal.

Tre Freeman’s interception gave the Blue Devils the ball at SMU’s 37, but Pelino’s 42-yard field goal attempt was wide left with 5:38 to go.

Duke got the ball back on Chandler Rivers’ interception but ended up punting before the Jennings fumble.

It took SMU just two plays to score with five minutes left in the third. Jennings connected with Roderick Daniels Jr for an 81-yard touchdown play as the margin grew to 21-7.

The Blue Devils responded by going 75 yards in nine plays, capped with Murphy’s 12-yard pass to Jordan Moore. The extra-point kick was off the mark.

Duke scored on its next possession on Star Thomas’ 1-yard run on third down, with Murphy’s two-point conversion pass to Eli Pancol tying the score at 21-21 with 9:02 remaining.

SMU led 14-7 at halftime, rolling up 232 yards of total offense but committing the only three turnovers to that juncture.

Duke got on the board first when Murphy connected with Que’Sean Brown on a 43-yard touchdown throw.

The Mustangs, who lost a fumble after reaching the Duke 4 on their first drive, then went 75 yards in 12 plays to score on Smith’s 1-yard run. SMU took its first lead with 3:56 left in the first half when Jennings received his own fumble for a 3-yard scoring play on a drive that covered 85 yards, consumed more than seven minutes and used 17 plays.

–Field Level Media

Oct 18, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils defensive end Wesley Williams (97) celebrates a down during the first half of the game against Florida State at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Duke uses defense to notch first-ever win against Florida State

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Chandler Rivers’ interception return for a touchdown highlighted Duke’s strong defensive performance Friday night as the Blue Devils defeated Florida State for the first time, winning 23-16 at Durham, N.C.

Star Thomas ran for 88 yards and a touchdown and Todd Pelino kicked three field goals for Duke (6-1, 2-1 Atlantic Coast Conference), which had lost all 22 previous meetings with Florida State.

The Seminoles (1-6, 1-5) outgained the Blue Devils 291-180 in total yards but sputtered late as their miserable season continued. Florida State reached Duke territory on its last two possessions, which ended with a fumble and failed fourth-down play.

Samuel Singleton Jr. returned the second half kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown to pull the Seminoles within 17-13. Pelino made it 20-13 on his 44-yard field goal in the third quarter and added a 39-yarder to put the hosts up 23-16 with 8:58 remaining.

Florida State moved to the Blue Devils’ 37-yard line on its ensuing possession before Kam Davis fumbled. The Seminoles got the ball back at their own 41 with 2:41 left but eventually failed on fourth-and-24 from their own 48.

Quarterback Brock Glenn was benched after he committed turnovers on three straight Florida State snaps in the first half. He returned late in the third quarter, finishing 9-for-19 for 110 yards and two interceptions for the Seminoles. Backup Luke Kromenhoek was 3-for-7 for 19 yards.

Maalik Murphy was 12-for-24 for 70 yards for Duke.

The Blue Devils punted on their first four possessions before Rivers stepped in front of Florida State receiver Jalen Brown for an interception and raced 36 yards untouched to the end zone to put the hosts up 7-3.

Glenn fumbled on the next snap, with Duke taking over at the Seminoles’ 36. Thomas later scored from 2 yards out on a fourth-and-1 run.

Ozzie Nicholas’ interception led to Pelino’s 27-yard field goal with 10 minutes left in the first half. Ryan Fitzgerald’s 53-yarder with 1:46 remaining cut the deficit to 17-6.

Fitzgerald opened the scoring with a 23-yard field goal and pulled Florida State within 20-16 on a 38-yarder early in the fourth.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils linebacker Tre Freeman (12) celebrates during the second half of the game against North Carolina Tar Heels at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Undefeated Duke faces ACC foe Georgia Tech

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Duke has managed to figure out enough difficult situations in every game to be successful in each outing this season.

Now the Blue Devils will encounter a different type of task — living up to heightened expectations — when visiting Georgia Tech for Saturday night’s Atlantic Coast Conference game in Atlanta.

Duke (5-0, 1-0 ACC) rallied Saturday from a 20-point hole to defeat North Carolina 21-20, matching the second-biggest comeback victory in program history.

The Blue Devils are 5-0 for the first time since 1994.

“Over five weeks, I think that we’ve shown we can handle adversity and overcome adversity,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “Now we’re faced with a very diffident kind of adversity, which is the adversity of success. Being told how great we are, that comes with a different type of adversity.”

Georgia Tech (3-2, 1-2) hasn’t played since losing 31-19 on Sept. 21 at then-No. 19 Louisville. This will be the Yellow Jackets’ first ACC game in Atlanta because the designated home matchup vs. Florida State was contested in Ireland.

“The bye week really couldn’t have come at a better time for us. We were able to heal up and get our energy back and a pep in our step,” Georgia Tech coach Brent Key told reporters Tuesday. “We had a lot of mental reps in practice last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Those were big days of focusing on ourselves, corrections, adjustments, personnel and situational football.”

Duke wants to be in more big games, so turning attention to the Yellow Jackets is crucial after conquering a longtime rival in a game that ended with Blue Devils fans rushing on to the field to celebrate.

“I think we have a pretty mature football team that (knows) the goal now is to move on to the next game,” Diaz said.

Duke’s defense has made a habit of collecting tackles for losses (10.4 per game) and pressuring opposing quarterbacks. That might be a challenge against a Georgia Tech team that hasn’t allowed a sack this year.

“We’ve got a real challenge awaiting us in Atlanta that our guys are excited for,” Diaz said.

Georgia Tech outgained Louisville 410-326, losing a game for the first time since the 2023 opener when outgaining its opponent.

“This team plays hard,” Key said of the Yellow Jackets. “Playing hard and preparing the right way gives you a chance to have success. It guarantees you nothing.”

Quarterback Haynes King is 10th in Georgia Tech program history in career total offense with 5,069 yards.

Duke running back Star Thomas has reached the 100-yard rushing mark in three consecutive games.

–Field Level Media

Sep 28, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell (12) runs with the ball during the first half of the game against Duke Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Duke overcomes 20-point deficit to edge North Carolina

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Star Thomas scored two second-half touchdowns and Peyton Jones ran in from 20 yards out with 5:43 left as Duke overcame a 20-point deficit to beat visiting North Carolina 21-20 in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams Saturday at Durham, N.C.

Duke (5-0) scored back-to-back touchdowns to pull within 20-14 and kept the momentum, eventually getting the decisive dash from Jones.

Thomas had 166 rushing yards on 30 carries. Maalik Murphy of Duke threw for a touchdown on 15-for-34 passing for 209 yards.

North Carolina’s Jacolby Criswell threw for two touchdowns in his second start of the season. His lone interception came on Tre Freeman’s interception with 25 seconds left and the Tar Heels approached midfield, and shortly after Blue Devils fans rushed onto the field to celebrate the end of a five-game skid in the series with their chief rivals and giving first-year coach Manny Diaz a rewarding result.

Tar Heels running back Omarion Hampton gained 103 yards on 29 carries.

North Carolina (3-2) benefitted from a strange sequence across the first 61/2 minutes of the second half. The Tar Heels had a punt blocked, but the ball went beyond the line of scrimmage and was mishandled by the Blue Devils, with the Tar Heels recovering and ending up with Noah Burnette’s 37-yard field goal.

That put Duke in a 20-0 hole before scoring on its first second-half possession. Thomas turned Murphy’s short pass into a 29-yard touchdown play.

The Tar Heels were up 17-0 on Criswell’s 10-yard third-and-goal TD throw to Bryson Nesbit in the end zone following two penalties that threatened to doom a nine-play, 61-yard drive. Hampton had 46 yards (rushing and receiving combined) on the march.

North Carolina was burnt in a variety of ways in a 70-50 stunning defeat a week earlier at home to James Madison, but the Tar Heels limited Duke to 97 first-half yards of total offense. The Blue Devils’ lone scoring threat was doomed when Todd Pelino’s field goal attempt from 47 yards bounced off the right upright 58 seconds before halftime.

After holding Duke without a first down on the Blue Devils’ first two possessions, the Tar Heels opened the scoring on Noah Burnette’s 40-yard field goal.

On its next drive, North Carolina converted on two third-down plays before Criswell’s 24-yard touchdown pass to J.J. Jones on fourth-and-1.

–Field Level Media

Jul 24, 2024; Charlotte, NC, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy speaks to the media during the ACC Kickoff at Hilton Charlotte Uptown. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Duke names Texas transfer Maalik Murphy starting QB

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Maalik Murphy will be Duke’s starting quarterback when the Blue Devils open their season against Elon on Aug. 30.

Murphy, a redshirt sophomore, transferred from Texas, where he got into seven games and started two in 2023. Murphy completed 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards, three touchdowns and three interceptions as a redshirt freshman.

At Duke, he beat out returning starter and sophomore Grayson Loftis for the starting role.

Loftis went 91-for-163 passing for 1,006 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games in 2023, when he filled in for the injured Riley Leonard.

Duke was picked 11th of 17 teams in the 2024 Atlantic Coast Conference preseason media poll.

–Field Level Media

Penn State defensive coordinator Manny Diaz grins as his unit comes to the sideline after creating a turnover late in the the second half of an NCAA football game against Indiana at Beaver Stadium Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in State College, Pa.

Duke names Manny Diaz as head coach

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Manny Diaz will be introduced Saturday as Duke’s new head football coach, the 23rd in school history.

Diaz replaces Mike Elko, who departed to become the head coach at Texas A&M after guiding Duke to a 16-9 record in two seasons in Durham, N.C.

“We are grateful and humbled for this opportunity and could not be more excited to be the head football coach at Duke University,” Diaz said, praising campus leaders for their “true commitment to this program.”

“Duke University is an elite institution in every facet, and we are excited to be a part of it. I’m beyond excited to get to work,” he said.

Diaz, 49, compiled a 21-15 record as head coach of Miami from 2019-21 but was fired following the 2021 season. He joined James Franklin’s staff at Penn State as defensive coordinator and linebackers coach in 2022, and the Nittany Lions rank tips in the nation in total defense (223.2 yards per game) and third in scoring defense this season (11.4 points per game).

Diaz was the defensive coordinator at Miami (2016-18), Mississippi State (2010, 2015), Louisiana Tech (2014), Texas (2011-13) and Middle Tennessee (2006-09).

“He is an experienced coach with a strong track record of success, deep knowledge of the ACC, and an exciting vision for the future of our program,” Duke president Vincent E. Price said. “I am confident our student-athletes will continue to achieve tremendous success on the field and in the classroom under his leadership.”

The Blue Devils (7-5, 4-4 ACC) are scheduled to face Troy (11-2) of the Sun Belt Conference in the Birmingham Bowl on Dec. 23. Associate head coach and running backs coach Trooper Taylor is serving as the interim coach.

–Field Level Media

Sep 9, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Grayson Loftis (12) hands off the ball to wide receiver Quran Boyd (17) against the Lafayette Leopards during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-USA TODAY Sports

Duke rallies past Wake Forest on last-second field goal

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Todd Pelino’s 26-yard field goal as time expired gave Duke a 24-21 victory against visiting Wake Forest on Thursday night in Durham, N.C.

That was the only lead of the game for Duke (6-3, 3-2 Atlantic Coast Conference), which snapped a two-game losing streak and became bowl-eligible despite using a third-string quarterback.

Grayson Loftis was 7-for-19 for 86 yards with a touchdown and an interception, but he helped the Blue Devils on their final drive.

Ryan Smith’s interception with 4:12 left gave the Blue Devils a chance to drive for the winning points. The final drive was aided by two penalties, including a third-down pass interference call on Wake Forest (4-5, 1-5).

Wake Forest quarterback Mitch Griffis was 16-for-19 for 241 yards with an interception. Demond Claiborne rushed for 81 yards on 19 carries.

Griffis scrambled 5 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter to put Wake Forest ahead.

Duke tied it at 21-21l with 11:40 remaining on Loftis’ 29-yard throw to Jordan Moore.

Duke was without standout quarterback Riley Leonard and normal second-string QB Henry Belin IV, both out with injuries.

Griffis was 8-for-8 in the first half, but the score was 14-14 at halftime.

Duke pulled even with one minute to play in the first half on Jordan Waters’ 4-yard run.

Wake Forest’s Tate Carney ran 3 yards for the opening points. Wake Forest had a chance to build the lead when a fumble by Duke on the ensuing possession gave the ball back at the Blue Devils’ 15. Matthew Dennis missed a 27-yard field goal.

Duke pulled even on the second play of the second quarter when Jaquez Moore ran 32 yards for a touchdown. Moore had all 60 yards on the drive, needing just three plays to cover that ground.

Wake Forest reached the Duke 25 before Carney was stuffed on a fourth-and-1 carry. But Quincy Bryant intercepted a pass by Lofts, who was hit as he threw, on the next snap.

Wake Forest took over at the Duke 22, with Griffis running 8 yards for a touchdown four plays later.

Dennis missed again, this time from 39 yards, to end Wake Forest’s first possession of the second half.

–Field Level Media

Sep 30, 2023; Durham, North Carolina, USA;Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) looks for a receiver during the second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

Duke QB Riley Leonard (ankle) day-to-day

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Duke quarterback Riley Leonard is now considered day-to-day after suffering a high ankle sprain nine days ago against Notre Dame.

Mike Elko, head coach of the No. 17 Blue Devils, said Monday that Leonard was making “really strong progress” in his recovery.

“I do think the outlook for him the rest of the season is really positive,” Elko said.

Duke (4-1) is returning from a bye week one week after losing 21-14 at home to then-No. 11 Notre Dame.

Leonard was hurt in the final seconds of that game when his right leg bent awkwardly amid a strip-sack. He was on crutches as he left the field.

Henry Belin IV, a redshirt freshman, is next in line for Duke if Leonard cannot play Saturday against NC State.

Leonard is 79-for-126 (62.7 percent) passing this season for 912 yards, three touchdowns and one interception.

–Field Level Media

Oct 22, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard (13) celebrates with wide receiver Malik Bowen-Sims (18) after scoring a touchdown during the fourth quarter against the Miami Hurricanes at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

Duke heads to Boston College with bowl eligibility in reach

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When Boston College hosts Duke to resume Atlantic Coast Conference play on Friday in Chestnut Hill, Mass., one team will hope to stay on its current trajectory and the other will try to reverse course entirely.

Fresh off a bye, Duke (5-3, 2-2 ACC) is looking to build upon its 45-21 win at Miami from Oct. 22. The Blue Devils’ two prior games were three-point losses to Georgia Tech and North Carolina.

First-year coach Mike Elko’s team has been a surprise, as Duke had five wins in 2020 and 2021 combined.

Now, bowl eligibility is one win away.

“Let’s go get greedy in November,” Elko said, recalling his postgame speech at Miami. “Let’s see what we can really get done.”

Senior wide receiver Eli Pancol (“probably” out for the season, leg) and redshirt junior kicker Charlie Ham (personal reasons) won’t play this week.

Elko’s team should be energized and focused when Duke plays in Chestnut Hill for the first time since 2011. Still, one bye week doesn’t cure everything.

“I told the kids, ‘You’ll feel 100 percent sometime around February,’” Elko said.

Sophomore quarterback Riley Leonard rushed for three touchdowns as Duke piled up at least 200 rushing yards for the fifth time. It turned Miami over eight times and pitched shutouts in the second and fourth quarters.

BC (2-6, 1-4) looks to curb a three-game skid after falling 13-3 last Saturday at UConn, its first-ever loss to the Huskies and first to any New England opponent since 1978.

The Eagles totaled more yards (335) than their previous two games, but an opening touchdown drive by UConn, five turnovers and the loss of quarterback Phil Jurkovec to a lower-body injury proved to spell their downfall.

“I need to do a better job, we need to play better, and our coaches need to coach better,” BC coach Jeff Hafley said. “We don’t have much time because we’re playing Friday.”

Jurkovec didn’t practice on Monday. Redshirt freshman Emmett Morehead threw for 104 yards following Jurkovec’s injury.

“We had a bunch of guys that didn’t practice (to start the short week), but I know he’s working hard to get back,” Hafley said.

Injuries have especially hurt BC’s offensive line. Redshirt junior Jack Conley has played every game, doing so at four different positions.

–Field Level Media