Tag: Duke

Mississippi Rebels quarterback Jaxson Dart (2) rushes for yards during the second quarter of the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union]

No. 14 Ole Miss makes statement in routing Duke in Gator Bowl

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Jaxson Dart threw four touchdown passes and Ulysses Bentley IV ran for a pair of scores as No. 14 Mississippi overwhelmed Duke in a 52-20 Gator Bowl romp Thursday night in Jacksonville, Fla.

Coach Lane Kiffin, who expressed his displeasure regarding the College Football Playoff selections, had his team out to prove a point. The Rebels were clicking for much of the game, and they held Duke’s revamped offense in check.

Dart, who’s expected to declare for the NFL draft, made a good final impression as a college player by completing 27 of 35 passes for 404 yards, including a 69-yarder to Jordan Watkins for a touchdown with 1:27 left.

Watkins caught two touchdown passes and Dae’Quan Wright and Antwane Wells Jr. each had one for Ole Miss (10-3), which won five of its last six games. Jordan Watkins was the team’s top receiver with seven receptions for 180 yards.

Duke (9-4), playing under first-year coach Manny Diaz and appearing in the Gator Bowl for the first time, turned to quarterback Henry Belin IV as the starter. Maalik Murphy had departed via the transfer portal and Grayson Loftis, who was the quarterback for Duke’s 2023 bowl victory, also exited for the transfer portal.

Belin was 25 of 44 for 236 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Sahmir Hagans posted the game’s last points on a 99-yard kickoff return.

The Blue Devils were also without running back Star Thomas, who rushed for 871 yards during the regular season before entering the transfer portal.

Duke’s Terry Moore snatched his fourth interception of the season, making a 59-yard return after picking off kicker Caden Davis’ pass on a failed fake to end the game’s opening possession.

But Ole Miss stopped Duke on fourth down on the other side of the field. The Rebels needed just four plays to go 68 yards for the game’s first points on Dart’s 32-yard pass play to Wells.

Duke had a total of 36 yards on 11 first-quarter plays. But trailing 17-0, the Blue Devils marched 75 yards on eight plays to score on Belin’s 16-yard pass to Javon Harvey.

The Rebels scored with 1:52 left in the half on Dart’s 21-yard pass to Wright for a 24-7 halftime lead.

The second-half scoring began on Isaiah Hamilton’s 50-yard interception return for a touchdown as Ole Miss led 31-7.

–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

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

Nov 28, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Darian Mensah (10) throws against the Memphis Tigers during the first quarter at Yulman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images

Report: Transfer QB Darian Mensah’s deal with Duke worth $8 million

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Quarterback Darian Mensah’s move to Duke comes with a massive paycheck, as CBS Sports reported Monday that the recent Tulane transfer will receive $8 million over two years.

An annual average of $4 million would make Mensah unofficially the highest paid college football player, according to CBS Sports.

The deal is believed to be close to that commanded by John Mateer, the top-ranked QB in the 247Sports portal rankings, when he transferred from Washington State to Oklahoma.

Mateer reportedly did not use a traditional agent to negotiate his NIL deal with Oklahoma, while Mensah was represented by Young Money APAA Sports agents Noah Reisenfeld and Adie von Gontard and well-known sports law attorney Darren Heitner.

The top-ranked player in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings, Mensah told ESPN he was impressed by first-year Duke coach Manny Diaz, who guided the Blue Devils to a 9-3 record, marking one of the best seasons in program history.

“He gets you going; he’s legit,” Mensah said. “They have a legit defensive line. He’ll take this team as far as we want to go.”

Mensah guided the Green Wave to the American Athletic Conference title game as a redshirt freshman this season.

Tulane (9-5) reached No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings before ending the regular season with consecutive losses. The Green Wave lost 33-8 to Florida (8-5) in the Gasparilla Bowl on Friday without Mensah.

Mensah has three years of eligibility remaining. He completed 189 of 287 passes (65.9 percent) for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, adding 132 rushing yards and a score.

He is now in line to replace record-setting Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy, who also entered the portal after the regular season. Duke will take on Ole Miss (9-3) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) goes to throw the ball against the Elon Phoenix during the second half at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Former Duke QB Maalik Murphy transferring to Oregon State

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Former Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy told ESPN that he is transferring to Oregon State.

Murphy reportedly visited Oregon State on Wednesday after stops at Kentucky and Auburn.

He will have two more seasons of eligibility with the Beavers.

“Lets get to work Beaver Nation!” Murphy posted on X.

Murphy entered the transfer portal on Dec. 10, one day before Tulane transfer Darian Mensah committed to the Blue Devils.

The 6-foot-5 Murphy is expected to be under center for Oregon State, which also has backups Gabarri Johnson and Kallen Gutridge returning next season.

Murphy spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career at Texas, however he was sandwiched between Quinn Ewers and Arch Manning. His decision to transfer to Duke paid immediate dividends this season, as he set the school record with 26 touchdowns while completing 254 of 421 passes for 2,933 yards.

Murphy started two games at Texas in 2023 when Ewers was injured.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Darian Mensah (10) scores a touchdown during the first half against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Former Tulane QB Darian Mensah transferring to Duke

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah said he is transferring to Duke.

The top-ranked player in ESPN’s transfer portal rankings confirmed his decision Wednesday with ESPN.

Mensah, who visited the Durham, N.C., campus on Tuesday, said he was impressed by Duke coach Manny Diaz.

“He gets you going; he’s legit,” Mensah told ESPN. “They have a legit defensive line. He’ll take this team as far as we want to go.”

Mensah guided the Green Wave to the American Athletic Conference title game as a redshirt freshman this season.

Tulane (9-4) reached No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings before ending the season with consecutive losses. The Green Wave face Florida (7-5) in the Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 20.

Mensah has three years of eligibility remaining. He completed 189 of 287 passes (65.9 percent) for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, adding 132 rushing yards and a score.

He is now in line to replace record-setting Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy, who also entered the portal after the regular season. Duke (9-3) will take on Ole Miss (9-3) in the Gator Bowl on Jan. 2.

Mensah said the chance to earn a Duke diploma factored in his decision.

“It’s a prestigious university, and a great education is also important to me,” Mensah said. “It’s just a family out here. I wanted to be part of that.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Annapolis, Maryland, USA; Tulane Green Wave quarterback Darian Mensah (10) rush for a touchdown during the first half against the Navy Midshipmen at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Duke to host Tulane QB Darian Mensah

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First-time starting quarterback Darian Mensah had nine wins for a team ranked in the Top 25 part of the season, but he’s in the transfer portal with a reported visit to Duke tops on his list.

ESPN reported Mensah would visit Duke on Tuesday.

Mensah, who tops the list of available transfer quarterbacks at ESPN and 247 Sports, potentially would replace record-setting Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy. Murphy entered the transfer portal after leading Duke to a 9-3 record.

Mensah has three years of eligibility remaining. He completed 189 of 287 passes (65.9 percent) for 2,723 yards with 22 touchdowns and six interceptions, adding 132 rushing yards and a score.

As a redshirt freshman at Tulane in 2024, Mensah guided the Green Wave to the American Athletic Conference championship game. He was first in the conference in average yards per pass (9.5) and completion percentage.

Tulane (9-4) reached No. 18 in the College Football Playoff rankings before ending the season with consecutive losses. The Green Wave face Florida (7-5) in the Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl on Dec. 20.

Murphy started two games at Texas in 2023 when Quinn Ewers was injured while holding off then-freshman backup Arch Manning.

Murphy was 254-of-421 passing for 2,933 yards, 26 TDs and 12 interceptions with the Blue Devils.

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jordan Moore (8) runs for yardage pursued by Wake Forest Demon Deacons defensive back Jamare Glasker (25) during the first half at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Touchdown pass on final play lifts Duke over Wake Forest

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Jordan Moore caught a 39-yard pass from Maalik Murphy on the game’s final play as Duke rallied to beat host Wake Forest 23-17 in Saturday afternoon’s regular-season finale at Winston-Salem, N.C.

The Blue Devils went 76 yards in seven plays in a hurry-up approach after forcing a Demon Deacons fumble.

Moore broke free for the deep pass from Murphy, who hadn’t allowed enough time for a last-second field goal, but it didn’t matter.

Duke (9-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) holds a three-game winning streak going into a bowl after coming back from a 14-point deficit in the second half.

Murphy threw for 235 yards with one interception. Moore, who was briefly injured early in the second half, made five catches for a team-high 98 yards.

Wake Forest (4-8, 2-6) has back-to-back losing seasons, this one ending with four straight losses. Hank Bachmeier threw for 207 yards and a touchdown.

A Duke fumble gave the Demon Deacons the ball at the Blue Devils’ 14 early in the third quarter. Three plays later, Bachmeier threw to Horatio Fields for a 9-yard touchdown pass.

The Blue Devils, trailing 17-3, finally got going after an exchange of punts. They went 42 yards in four plays with Star Thomas running 3 yards for a touchdown.

Then Wake Forest fumbled the ensuing kickoff, with the Blue Devils recovering at the Demon Deacons’ 45. Duke was back in the end zone in seven plays on Murphy’s 2-yard keeper.

Todd Pelino’s 45-yard field goal provided the game’s first points in the second quarter after Wake Forest’s Matthew Dennis missed earlier on a 43-yarder with the ball bouncing off the left upright.

Tate Carney’s 8-yard run and Dennis’ 37-yard field goal gave Wake Forest a 10-3 lead by halftime.

Duke’s defense recorded five sacks.

In the first half, Wake Forest fifth-year player Taylor Morin became the program’s all-time leader in receiving yards. He ended the game with 47 yards on eight catches, putting his career total at 2,974 yards.

–Field Level Media

Oct 26, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Eli Pancol (4) runs out prior to the first half of the game against Southern Methodist Mustangs at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Bowl-bound Duke aware of “winning state” as Wake Forest wobbles to finish

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Duke rolls into its regular-season finale to take on host Wake Forest on Saturday afternoon at Winston-Salem, N.C.

Duke (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) has consecutive wins and could bolster its spot in the bowl pecking order with another victory.

There’s also a mythical state championship on the line for the Blue Devils. They’re 3-0 against North Carolina, North Carolina State and non-league foe Elon and could add another checkmark to win the prideful regional prize.

“Winning in our state is something our guys are fully aware of,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said.

Wake Forest (4-7, 2-5) carries a three-game losing streak into Saturday. The Demon Deacons will miss the postseason for the second year in a row and another defeat would secure a second-to-last place finish in the ACC.

“It’s where we are,” Wake Forest coach Dave Clawson said. “We’re certainly a lot more competitive than we were a year ago. If you look at this year’s season, we’re a lot more competitive.”

The Demon Deacons are 1-5 in home games, but their last two setbacks came in road outings against North Carolina and nationally ranked Miami. Bookending the season with a home victory is the goal.

“We owe it to our seniors in our program,” Clawson said. “I want those guys walking out with a great memory. We’re going to treat this like a playoff game.”

Duke receiver Eli Pancol is coming off a three-touchdown, 188-yard effort stemming from his five catches in last weekend’s Virginia Tech game. An 86-yard TD reception marked the sixth-longest pass play in team history.

Quarterback Maalik Murphy of Duke threw for three touchdowns and three interceptions last week.

“Murphy has been a good quarterback. He throws a beautiful deep ball,” Clawson said. “And it helps when you guys like (Jordan) Moore and Pancol.”

Duke will need to be attentive in dealing with Wake Forest’s spread-option offense.

“It’s unique in a lot of ways because it’s very hard to practice against,” Diaz said.

Duke has won the last two matchups with Wake Forest, with three-point margins each time.

“I think Manny and his staff have done amazing jobs in Year 1,” Clawson said. “I think Mike (Elko) did a really good job of building the program, and Manny has done a phenomenal job.”

–Field Level Media

Nov 23, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils quarterback Maalik Murphy (6) runs with the football against Virginia Tech Hokies defensive lineman Cole Nelson (17) during the first half of the game at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Maalik Murphy throws 3 TDs, helps Duke outlast Virginia Tech

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Maalik Murphy threw three touchdown passes to Eli Pancol, including two that went for more than 75 yards, and overcame several mistakes as the Duke Blue Devils outlasted Virginia Tech for a 31-28 victory Saturday night in Durham, N.C.

Pancol had 188 receiving yards on five catches as Duke (8-3, 4-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) won its second game in a row.

Bhayshul Tuten’s 29-yard run and backup quarterback William Watson III’s two-point conversion run with 9:19 remaining trimmed Virginia Tech’s deficit to 31-28.

Duke was in position to seal the win with a first down at Virginia Tech’s 16-yard line, but a fumble gave the Hokies life with 1:44 to play. Virginia Tech gave the back on downs.

The Hokies fell behind 14-0 before rattling off 17 consecutive points. But the Blue Devils were relentless in compiling 396 yards of total offense.

Virginia Tech (5-6, 3-4), which has lost three straight, started Collin Schlee at quarterback over Kyron Drones, who was out with a lower-body injury.

Murphy completed 17 of 35 attempts for 332 yards and three interceptions.

Schlee connected with Ali Jennings on a 65-yard touchdown to trim the Hokies’ deficit to 14-7 with 4:28 left in the first quarter. Ayden Greene ran 21 yards for a touchdown on a reverse and John Love kicked a 24-yard field goal to give Virginia Tech a 17-14 lead with 7:55 left in the first half.

Duke recovered to take a 21-17 halftime lead on Murphy’s 7-yard pass to Pancol with 5:41 left in the second quarter.

On the first possession of the second half, the Blue Devils drove 74 yards to extend their lead to 28-17 on Star Thomas’ 2-yard run. After Joshua Pickett’s fourth-down interception, the Blue Devils increased their lead to 31-17 on Todd Pelino’s 42-yard field goal with 3:24 left in the third quarter.

Duke jumped out to an early lead thanks to two touchdown passes. After forcing a punt, the Blue Devils scored on their first snap when Murphy’s heave to Pancol went for 86 yards. On their next possession, Murphy threw a short toss to Pancol, who turned it into a 77-yard touchdown to give the Blue Devils a 14-0 lead.

–Field Level Media

Aug 30, 2024; Durham, North Carolina, USA; Duke Blue Devils head coach Manny Diaz runs out onto the field before the game against the Elon Phoenix at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images

Duke coach Manny Diaz makes homecoming to Miami vs. No. 5 Canes

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The game between No. 5 Miami and visiting Duke on Saturday afternoon feels a bit personal.

That’s because of the presence of Manny Diaz, a Miami native who is in his first season as the Blue Devils’ head coach.

Diaz was the Hurricanes’ defensive coordinator (2016-18) and their head coach (2019-21). Current Hurricanes coach Mario Cristobal got a 10-year, $80 million from Miami after Diaz got fired.

That’s just one of the subplots of this Atlantic Coast Conference game in Miami Gardens, Fla.

Miami (8-0, 4-0), which is off to its best start since going 10-0 to begin 2017, is powered by an explosive offense and enters the game as a big favorite.

The Hurricanes rank No. 1 in the nation in average points scored (46.8) and third-down-conversion percentage (59.8).

Miami quarterback Cam Ward is second nationally in passing touchdowns (24) and third in passing yards per game (343.3).

But it’s not just Ward.

Miami’s Xavier Restrepo ranks second in the ACC in receiving yards (710). For his career, he is second in Hurricanes history with 174 catches and third with 2,427 receiving yards. He moved past ex-NFL stars Reggie Wayne and Michael Irvin, respectively, in those categories. Both career records are in sight.

At running back, Miami relies on starter Mark Fletcher Jr., Damien Martinez and Ajay Allen, who has the speed and moves to break tired defenses.

Last week, in a 36-14 win over Florida State, the 232-pound Martinez bruised his way to 148 rushing yards, a 9.9-yard average and two touchdowns.

“Damien’s a tough dude who’s hard to bring down,” Cristobal said. “You’re not going to arm-tackle him.”

However, Duke’s strength is on defense, where it ranks second in the ACC in average points allowed (18.6). Nationally, the Blue Devils are tied with Alabama for 20th place in that category.

The Blue Devils (6-2, 2-2) also are No. 1 in the nation in fumbles recovered (10).

The other interesting matchup on Saturday is Miami’s vulnerable defense — which has allowed 34 or more points in three of its past four games — against a shaky Duke offense that ranks tied for 14th in the league in scoring (26.0).

Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy spent his first two college seasons with the Texas Longhorns, and he appeared in seven games (two starts) in relief of QB Quinn Ewers, completing 40 of 71 passes for 477 yards and three touchdowns, with three interceptions.

This season, the 6-foot-5 redshirt sophomore has completed 58.6 percent of his passes for 17 TDs, with five interceptions.

Murphy’s top playmakers are running back Star Thomas and a pair of wide receivers who could give Miami trouble: Eli Pancol and Jordan Moore.

Thomas has 785 scrimmage yards and six TDs. Pancol has 36 receptions, 446 yards and six TDs. And Moore has 34 catches, 481 yards and four TDs.

As for Diaz, 50, he isn’t billing it as a “revenge” game
.
“Revenge is a poor motivation,” he said when asked about facing the Hurricanes. “I learned a lot at Miami. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough, but that’s OK.

“I will say that the ACC schedule-makers have a heck of a sense of humor.”

–Field Level Media