Gator Bowl Bound Duke Football 2024 - Diaz Dawning (9-3, 5-3 ACC)

[ArkieDukie]

WOWOWOWOWOWOWOWOW!!!!!!!

What an ending! Ripped Wake's hearts right the hell out!

Fantastic ending!

[OPK]

Maalik is the best down-field passer we’ve had in a long time. For all of his weaknesses — and there are several obvious ones — the dude puts it on the numbers when it counts.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Maalik is the best down-field passer we’ve had in a long time. For all of his weaknesses — and there are several obvious ones — the dude puts it on the numbers when it counts.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Maalik is the best down-field passer we’ve had in a long time. For all of his weaknesses — and there are several obvious ones — the dude puts it on the numbers when it counts.

And he’s learning that his running with the football can be a valuable weapon!

[Phredd3]

I saw only about the last 1:40 of that game. Wow! Good timing.

[CameronBornAndBred]

The original play was supposedly a quick 5 yard route to get into better FG range. According to Maalik and Moore, they both saw he was taking too long, so that TD bomb was totally improvised.

With the score tied at 17, the Blue Devils (9-3, 5-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) moved 76 yards in 1:22 after forcing a Wake Forest punt. It appeared that Duke might run out of time in the slow-developing play, but Moore improvised and broke free along the right side, caught the ball at the 10-yard line and spun into the end zone to complete a comeback from 14 points down in the second half.
...

"I just decided to take it down the field," Moore said. "I think that's a testament to our chemistry. … Maalik had the confidence in himself to make that kind of play."

https://www.wralsportsfan.com/duke-rall ... /21748000/

[CameronBornAndBred]

Duke ends the '24 regular season just outside of the Top 25 in both polls. The AP we're "28th" behind TA&M and Louisville, in the Coaches we're "27th" behind only Midnight Mike.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Here's a few Monday updates on how people are thinking.

College Football News and ActionNetwork both say Duke in the Sun Bowl (El Paso 12/31), one vs USC and one vs Washington.
CBS (and a few others) Duke vs Minnesota in the Mayo Bowl (Charlotte 1/3) Athlon has us there vs Nebraska
247 Sports Duke vs Florida in the Gasparilla Bowl (Tampa 12/20)
I doubt this one very much, and the folks guessing say they have no clue. "Given Duke's nine-win finish, it will be interesting to see where the Blue Devils land. Anywhere from Jacksonville (Gator) to San Diego (Holiday) and a matchup with Florida in Tampa would fall somewhere in between. The Gators finished with a three-game winning streak under Billy Napier with victories over LSU, Ole Miss and Florida State." Another more likely guess has UNC vs Florida.

And lastly, the sports world giants, The New York Times, has us in the Gator Bowl vs Florida. (Which is far more believable than either team in the Gasparilla, but would be lame given that we'd be playing the home team.)

[CameronBornAndBred]

Eli Pancol very deservedly wins the Brian Piccolo Award from the ACC. It's awarded to the "Most Courageous football player in the ACC".

[lawgrad91]

Congratulations to Eli Pancol, winner of the Brian Piccolo Award.

https://theacc.com/news/2024/12/2/footb ... pient.aspx

[lawgrad91]

CB&B beat me to it, but I am gonna PW anyway.

[CameronBornAndBred]

CB&B beat me to it, but I am gonna PW anyway.

Spread the good news!

[CameronBornAndBred]

In the final AP poll of the regular season, Duke lands at "28th" with 29 votes, behind T&AM and Louisville.

[Bob Green]

Twitter rumors are saying Holiday Bowl in San Diego. We should know in the two to three hours.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Twitter rumors are saying Holiday Bowl in San Diego. We should know in the two to three hours.

I'd be very happy with that, and my wife would be even happier, since I'll be staying home on my couch.

[CameronBornAndBred]

GATOR BOWL!!!!

[Bob Green]

GATOR BOWL!!!!

This makes me happy. SEC opponent to be announced at 4 pm. In my youth, Gator Bowl was considered number five behind the Cotton, Orange, Rose and Sugar Bowl.

[OPK]

Four hour drive door to door. Looks like I can head down Thursday morning and then back Friday morning. Hotel booked in walking distance of the stadium.

LGD!

[Bob Green]

Ole Miss will be a tough opponent but that’s what I want an opportunity for the team to shine.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I just got my tickets on GoDuke, now to look up lodging.

https://goduke.evenue.net/events/FB-BOWL