Tag: Blue Devils

Duke sues QB Darian Mensah to prevent him from transferring

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Duke University sued quarterback Darian Mensah on Tuesday after his announcement that he was entering the transfer portal despite an NIL contract with the university through the end of this year.

Duke claimed that the contract gives the university exclusive rights to Mensah’s name, image and likeness “with respect to higher education and football,” in the complaint filed to the Superior Court in Durham County, N.C.

The school asked for an injunction and a temporary restraining order to prevent Mensah from entering the portal and joining another team. Duke claimed that, per the multiyear contract with Mensah, the parties are required to submit all disputes to arbitration. The university is seeking monetary damages as well as preventing Mensah from playing football at another school before the contract expires on Dec. 31, 2026.

“Duke University seeks this relief only until the end of the arbitration process, at which point the final decision of the arbitrator can be enforced by this Court,” the complaint reads.

Mensah’s attorney, Darren Heitner, told ESPN and The Athletic that Superior Court Judge Michael O’Foghludha ruled from the bench, pending a ruling in writing, a denial of Duke’s request on Tuesday.

“The judge, a Duke basketball season-ticket holder, and thus a booster, also recused himself from future proceedings,” Heitner told ESPN.

Heitner told The Athletic that, unless the sides reach a resolution, there will be another hearing, at a date to be determined, in front of another judge to “flesh through the remainder of Duke’s requests.”

Mensah announced that he was entering the portal Friday, the last day of the window to do so. He previously stated on Dec. 19 that he was returning for a second season with the Blue Devils instead of entering the draft after reportedly signing a two-year, $8 million deal ahead of the 2025 season.

“Mensah reversed course, informed Duke that he would seek a transfer, and issued a public farewell,” the lawsuit said. “In so doing, he repudiated the contract. He proposes now to move onto another collegiate institution and act as if his obligations to Duke University do not exist. None of these facts can be disputed. But contracts mean something.”

After spending his freshman season at Tulane, Mensah was the second-team All-ACC quarterback in his first season with Duke, throwing for a conference-leading 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns with just six interceptions. He led the Blue Devils (9-5) to their first outright Atlantic Coast Conference championship since 1962.

Miami has emerged as a likely landing spot for Mensah, according to multiple media reports. The Hurricanes had great success with transfer quarterbacks Cam Ward in 2024 and Carson Beck this season, reaching the College Football Playoff title game on Monday. Indiana defeated Miami and Beck, in his last game for the Hurricanes, 27-21.

Miami reserve quarterback Emory Williams told ESPN on Tuesday that he has entered the transfer portal, indicating that the Hurricanes have another QB in place for next season. Williams is expected to transfer to East Carolina.

–Field Level Media

Late trick play boosts Duke in comeback win over UNC

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Anderson Castle’s third 1-yard touchdown run of the day – one play after Duke’s successful trick play late in the game – helped the Blue Devils pull out a 32-25 victory against host North Carolina on Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C.

Duke’s Darian Mensah threw for 175 yards and a touchdown on 20-for-33 passing as the Blue Devils (6-5, 5-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) became bowl eligible.

North Carolina (4-7, 2-5) won’t be going to the postseason in coach Bill Belichick’s first season at the helm. The Tar Heels finished 2-4 in home games.

Gio Lopez threw for a touchdown and ran for one for North Carolina. He was 21-for-27 passing for 204 yards.

With 2:26 left in regulation, Duke kicker Todd Pelino lined up for a potential go-ahead field goal but instead took a pitch from the holder and ran 26 yards down the left side on a fake, taking the ball to the North Carolina 1-yard line. After the Blue Devils went ahead on Castle’s score, they tacked on a two-point conversion on Sheppard’s catch.

North Carolina, which had come to life offensively in the second half, fizzled on its final possession and gave the ball back on downs at its own 14 with 1:18 left.

The fourth quarter began with North Carolina finishing a 91-yard drive on Davion Gause’s 12-yard TD run for a 25-24 lead with 13:13 remaining.

Duke reached North Carolina territory on its final two possessions, but the first of those went awry on a fourth-down sack.

All of Duke’s scoring drives included 10 or more plays.

The Tar Heels converted for a 49-yard field goal from Rece Verhoff in the final seconds of the first half. Duke led 17-10 at the break after controlling the ball for stretches and then recovering North Carolina’s attempted onside kick to begin the second half.

The Blue Devils used 11 plays to go 44 yards with Castle scoring on a 1-yard run, extending the lead to 24-10.

North Carolina responded with a 10-play march, with Lopez throwing for 20 yards to Jordan Shipp, who made eight receptions for 83 yards. With a roughing-the-passer penalty on the play, the Tar Heels opted for a two-point conversion and Shipp caught that as well.

Earlier, Duke’s second touchdown came one play after a roughing-the-kicker penalty on the Tar Heels as Pelino was missing a field goal.

–Field Level Media

Bill Belichick debuts in Duke rivalry as UNC clings to bowl hopes

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Losses left Duke and North Carolina looking for something to square their attention on the task at hand this week.

So they have each other.

The neighboring rivals meet Saturday in Chapel Hill, N.C., playing for the Victory Bell, which goes to the winner of this annual matchup.

“The great thing about sports is redemption is always a week away,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “… There will be no shortage of people who want to win the game on Saturday.”

The Blue Devils (5-5, 4-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) pretty much had their aspirations of reaching the ACC championship game dashed with last week’s 34-17 loss to Virginia.

“(We need) the focus and fortitude to put it behind us and focus on what is a really, really important week for the program,” Diaz said. ” … All of our attention goes forward to getting a win on the road this weekend down in Chapel Hill.”

The Tar Heels (4-6, 2-4) had a two-game winning streak snapped with a 28-12 loss at Wake Forest. The Tar Heels were held without a touchdown in a game for the first time since October 2016.

North Carolina coach Bill Belichick said he’s aware of the importance of the game regionally.

“Everybody knows each other pretty well, and (I’m) looking forward to being a participant in this event,” Belichick said.

If the Tar Heels want to participate in the postseason, they will need victories this week and next to reach 6-6 for the regular season. Up next is NC State (5-5).

North Carolina is averaging 18.7 points per game (16th out of 17 ACC teams), but has managed to stay within striking range in several games.

“They’re playing to their strength,” Diaz said. “They’re playing in low-scoring games that turn into one-score games.”

Duke is giving up 29.6 points per game, 13th in the ACC.

Duke’s offensive numbers look far superior to those for the Tar Heels. Quarterback Darian Mensah is averaging a league-best 300.7 passing yards per game, while Blue Devils running back Nate Sheppard is averaging 70 rushing yards per game.

North Carolina quarterback Gio Lopez has thrown for 158.3 yards per outing, with Demon June the team’s top rusher with 45.2 yards per game.

Prior to becoming Duke’s coach, Diaz said he made three visits to the New England Patriots when Belichick was still the coach there for what he referred to as “professional development” opportunities.

Duke, which already won games at Syracuse, Cal and Clemson, would finish off an undefeated road slate in ACC play with a win Saturday.

–Field Level Media

No. 19 Virginia, Duke among many contenders still in ACC race

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The goal for No. 19 Virginia and Duke is to get to the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.

So that makes Saturday’s contest in Durham, N.C., pretty much a play-in opportunity for both teams in the tightly contested conference race.

“It’s about what’s in front of us right now,” Duke defensive tackle Josiah Green said. “For us, it’s about us.”

Virginia (8-2, 5-1 ACC) was in solo possession of the ACC lead until last week’s 16-9 home loss to Wake Forest.

Duke (5-4, 4-1) has been unscathed in ACC play other than a 27-18 home loss to Georgia Tech on Oct. 18.

There are five ACC teams with one league loss, while two others have dropped two conference games.

Much of Virginia’s strategy could depend on the availability of quarterback Chandler Morris, who entered the concussion protocol during the Wake Forest game. Team officials haven’t said whether Morris suffered a concussion, while his status might be determined based on if he practices by midweek. He attended but didn’t take part in activities on Monday and Tuesday.

“I think there’s so much with the game plan that you need, plus you need to practice and be able to take some of those reps,” Virginia coach Tony Elliott said. “His position is about timing, so we would need him to get into practice.”

Morris’ back-up is redshirt freshman Daniel Kaelin, who completed 18 of 28 passes for 145 when he was summoned against Wake Forest. He also rushed six times for 49 yards.

The Blue Devils are expecting similar schemes from Virginia regardless of who takes the snaps.

“There’s not a lot of sample size (with Kaelin),” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “There will be a different skill set. They’re going to do what they do. You’re going to have to get your defense set up to stop them.”

The Blue Devils have plenty of concerns about how their defense has performed the past couple of weeks. The unit was vulnerable in a 46-45 victory at Clemson and was then picked apart at times in a 37-34 loss last weekend at Connecticut.

“We know our defense hasn’t been great the last two games,” Green said.

The Blue Devils say they can’t dwell on recent results, understanding the setback to UConn wasn’t damaging in terms of the ACC picture.

“Excited about what’s to come,” Diaz said. “We’re not talking about anything other than how to win one football game this weekend.”

Duke’s offense revolves around quarterback Darian Mensah, who has thrown for 2,794 yards with 24 touchdowns and four interceptions. He had a program-record streak of 211 throws without an interception snapped last week.

The Cavaliers have had tight finishes in two earlier visits to the state of North Carolina this year. They lost 35-31 at North Carolina State in a nonconference clash between two ACC members Sept. 6 and then pulled out a 17-16 overtime victory at North Carolina on Oct.25.

Duke has experienced its share of late-game drama as well.

“Through the course of the year, you recognize these games are going to be close,” Diaz said. “This month isn’t going to be any different.”

–Field Level Media

Oct 11, 2025; Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) throws a pass against the Boston College Eagles during the second half at Alumni Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Clemson, Duke seek to keep hopes alive in late-season matchup

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A November game for Clemson doesn’t have the heightened meaning in the national picture that might often have been the case, but the Tigers are going into Saturday afternoon’s game against visiting Duke determined to make something of the season.

“We’re ready to get back into the fight,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

Both teams were off last week after suffering losses in their previous games. Clemson (3-4, 2-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) dropped a home game to SMU, while Duke (4-3, 3-1) fell at home to undefeated Georgia Tech.

The Blue Devils want to remain in the ACC title chase.

“We have a chance to do what you want to do – play great in November,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said, pointing to last November’s results proving critical to the team’s success. “With all we have to play for, we know the same will be true.”

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik, who missed the SMU game because of an ankle injury, was back at practice Monday.

Diaz said he’s anticipating seeing Klubnik in Saturday’s game.

“We always prepare for teams to be at full strength, especially coming off the bye,” Diaz said. “It’s the people around the quarterback that make the big difference. Their weaponry on the outside will be as good as anybody we’ve seen so far this year.”

Clemson lists Tristan Smith and Cole Turner as co-starters at receiver this week.

Duke relies heavily on quarterback Darian Mensah, who has thrown for 17 touchdowns with two interceptions.

There’s still a level of mystique involving the Clemson team, Diaz said.

“You’re going to have to have some real belief to go in there and knock that team off,” he said. “I think we’ve got the right leadership to set the tone for our guys and how they work this week.”

Swinney said the time off since the last game has put the Tigers in a better position in terms of injuries. He continues to put a positive light on the team.

“There’s been some disappointment this season, but there’s been a lot of good,” Swinney said.

While a healthier team should help, Swinney pointed to a couple of areas that need upgrades.

“If we’re going to win in November, we have to run the ball better, be better on pass defense,” he said.

Klubnik has thrown for 1,530 yards, 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.

-Field Level Media

Oct 4, 2025; Berkeley, California, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Darian Mensah (10) throws a pass against the California Golden Bears during the second quarter at California Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: D. Ross Cameron-Imagn Images

After early deficit, Duke puts away Cal with 38-point run

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Darian Mensah passed for 265 yards and two touchdowns and Duke scored the game’s final 38 points to post a 45-21 victory over Cal on Saturday night in Atlantic Coast Conference play at Berkeley, Calif.

Nate Sheppard rushed for 91 yards and two scores and Anderson Castle also rushed for two touchdowns for the Blue Devils (4-2, 3-0 ACC), who registered their third consecutive victory.

Que’Sean Brown caught six passes for 104 yards and one touchdown, Cooper Barkate had a scoring catch and Duke racked up four interceptions and six sacks. The Blue Devils and Virginia are the lone ACC squads with 3-0 league records.

Mensah completed 22 of 30 passes and raised his season passing touchdowns count to 15. He has thrown multiple scoring passes in all six games.

Jaron-Keawe Sagapolutele was 20-of-31 passing for 245 yards and one touchdown but also threw three interceptions. Kendrick Raphael rushed for two scores and Jordan King had a touchdown catch for the Golden Bears (4-2, 1-1).

Elliott Schaper had 12 tackles and an interception for Duke. Moussa Kane, Andrew Pellicciotta and Chandler Rivers also had picks for the Blue Devils.

The teams combined for 52 first-half points — 31 by Duke — during their first meeting since 1963.

Neither squad scored during the first 21-plus minutes of the second half until Duke broke the drought on Mensah’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Barkate to make it 38-21 with 8:22 remaining in the game.

Sheppard then turned the game into a rout with a 46-yard scamper to give the Blue Devils a 24-point lead with 5:50 remaining.

The Golden Bears opened the game with two touchdowns in less than 10 minutes. Sagapolutele capped the initial drive with a 6-yard scoring pass to King before Raphael scored from the 5 for a 14-0 lead.

Duke got on the board on Sheppard’s 12-yard run with 2:38 left in the first quarter. But Raphael’s 4-yard touchdown run made it 21-7 with 12:17 left in the first half.

Castle scored from the 2 midway through the quarter to start the string of unanswered Blue Devils points. Mensah tossed a 26-yard scoring pass to Brown to tie it at 21 with 5:50 remaining in the half and Castle’s 1-yard run gave Duke its first lead at 28-21 with 1:10 to play.

Todd Pelino booted a 25-yard field goal as time expired in the half.

–Field Level Media

NCAA Football Brigham Young quarterback Jake Retzlaff

QB Jake Retzlaff runs for 4 TDs as Tulane tops Duke, Darian Mensah

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Jake Retzlaff set a single-game school record for a quarterback with four rushing touchdown runs and Tulane spoiled the return of Darian Mensah in a 34-27 win against Duke on Saturday night in New Orleans.

Retzlaff, a transfer from BYU, completed 15 of 23 passes for 245 yards, and ran 17 times for 111 yards, including touchdowns of 19, 6, 20 and 11 yards. Shazz Preston caught three passes for 95 yards as Tulane improved to 3-0.

Mensah quarterbacked the Green Wave to nine wins and an American Conference Championship appearance in 2024 but then transferred to Duke and the ACC.

He was 30-of-51 passing for 301 yards, three touchdowns and one interception as Duke (1-2) lost its second straight game.

With Tulane up 24-9 early in the third quarter Retzlaff took off on a 29-yard gain, but the ball was knocked out and the Blue Devils recovered at the Tulane 42. Mensah later hit Landen King for a 3-yard touchdown and Duke was within 24-16.

Tulane answered. Retzlaff converted fourth-and-2 at the Green Wave 45. After three straight passes moved the ball to the Blue Devils 11, Retzlaff went up the middle for the touchdown.

Duke then drove to the Tulane 24 but Todd Pelino’s 41-yard field-goal attempt was blocked by Tavare Smith.

Retzlaff then threw a 63-yard bomb to Preston, and Patrick Durkin’s 27-yard field goal made it 34-16 with 14:12 left in the game.

Mensah hit Nate Sheppard for a 4-yard score and the two-point conversion pulled Duke within 34-24 with 2:57 left.

Duke got the ball back and Mensah hit Chase Tyler to the 15, but a face mask penalty pushed the Blue Devils back 15 yards. Pelino’s 47-yard field goal made it 34-27 with 1:06 left, but Tulane recovered the onside kick.

The Green Wave went 64 yards in six plays on their first possession of the game with Retzlaff running up the middle for an 18-yard touchdown.

After Duke missed a field goal from 44 yards, Retzlaff completed three passes for 42 yards and capped a 74-drive with a 6-yard touchdown run.

With Tulane up 14-3, Retzlaff hit Preston for 28 yards to the Duke 20. Retzlaff covered those 20 yards and the lead was 21-3 with 6:00 left in the half.

Duke scored when Mensah and Sahmir Hagans hooked up for a 29-yard touchdown with 18 seconds left in the half. The two-point conversion pass failed and Duke trailed 24-9.

–Field Level Media

Aug 28, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils linebacker Kendall Johnson (42) stops the run by Elon Phoenix quarterback Landen Clark (11) during the first half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Darian Mensah tossed 3 TDs as Duke rolls over Elon

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Darian Mensah threw for a career-high 389 yards in his Duke debut, helping the Blue Devils survive a first-half scare and pull away with a 45-17 win over Elon in their season opener Thursday night in Durham, N.C.

The Tulane quarterback transfer lived up to the hype, throwing three second-half touchdowns while completing 27 of 34 passes with no turnovers.

Mensah completed passes to nine different players, with Harvard transfer Cooper Barkate leading the way with 117 receiving yards and Sahmir Hagans catching a pair of touchdowns.

The Blue Devils (1-0) scored touchdowns each of the five times they touched the ball in the second half to distance themselves from what was a 10-10 game at halftime.

Elon starting quarterback Landen Clark completed 10 of 16 passes for 101 yards, and led the Phoenix (0-1) with 61 rushing yards along with a touchdown.

Even before the offense fully woke up, Mensah got off to a strong start to his 2025 campaign. His 216 passing yards accounted for the vast majority of Duke’s 250 first-half yards.

While the Blue Devils had nearly 100 more first-half yards, the game was tied at halftime because of a dropped touchdown by Peyton Jones, a missed field goal by Todd Pelino and a red-zone fumble on a bungled handoff with under two minutes left in the half recovered by Elon’s Dillon Pardue.

After Duke squandered those first-half chances, Mensah made sure that didn’t occur once again in the second half, throwing touchdown passes in each of the team’s first three second-half possessions.

First, he connected with Hagans on a 15-yard back-shoulder throw on the opening drive of the half. Then, he delivered a dart to the middle of the end zone that was caught by Andrel Anthony for a 27-yard touchdown.

After Elon responded with a 12-play, 75-yard touchdown drive capped off by a 3-yard touchdown run by Landyn Backey, Mensah connected with Hagans again for a 6-yard touchdown that was set up by a 63-yard run by Anderson Castle.

The Duke defense, which racked up 10 tackles for loss, followed that up with a forced punt and Que’Sean Brown effectively iced the game by returning it 78 yards for a touchdown to make it 38-17 Blue Devils.

Jaquez Moore scored Duke’s first touchdown of the season on a 32-yard cutback run in the second quarter.

Jones redeemed his earlier mistake by finishing the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown run in the dwindling minutes.

–Field Level Media

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

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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