As 2024 comes to a close, Duke football has solidified its place in history, achieving one of the best seasons in the program’s history. Under the leadership of head coach Manny Diaz, who took over in a challenging transitional period, the Blue Devils exceeded expectations, finishing with a 9-3 record. Along the way, they pulled off thrilling victories, including a monumental upset over rival North Carolina, which had eluded them for years.
The 2024 season began with a renewed sense of optimism for the Blue Devils. After an impressive run in 2023 under Mike Elko, which saw Duke make significant strides, the program was poised for even greater things in 2024. Despite the departure of Elko to Texas A&M and the loss of key players like quarterback Riley Leonard, who left for Notre Dame, the Blue Devils reloaded under Manny Diaz. The program’s recruitment and transfer portal activity were notable, bringing in key players such as quarterback Maalik Murphy, running back Star Thomas, and defensive tackle Kendy Charles.
Duke’s 2024 season started in remarkable fashion, going undefeated through the first four games. A hard-fought victory against Northwestern in double overtime highlighted the Blue Devils’ resilience, while a late touchdown by Murphy against UConn demonstrated their ability to escape with wins in tight situations. However, despite their early success, Duke faced challenges as they moved deeper into the season.
The most defining moment of the 2024 season came on October 5, when Duke faced its archrival North Carolina for the Victory Bell. The Blue Devils had not defeated the Tar Heels since 2018, and as the game unfolded, it seemed like Duke would once again fall short. North Carolina jumped out to a commanding 20-0 lead late in the third quarter, seemingly putting the game out of reach. At that point, Duke needed an extraordinary comeback to avoid a crushing defeat.
However, what followed was a remarkable display of perseverance and grit that would become a hallmark of the season. Maalik Murphy, who had struggled to move the ball for most of the game, began to heat up, starting with a key play where he connected with running back Star Thomas on a 29-yard gain. The Blue Devils’ defense followed up with a quick stop, and the offense capitalized. Murphy then found wide receiver Jordan Moore for a huge 43-yard gain, setting up another touchdown run by Thomas to narrow the lead to 20-14. With the momentum shifting, Duke’s defense stepped up again, forcing the Tar Heels to punt.
Now trailing by just six points, Duke took possession with 7 minutes left in the game. Murphy and Thomas continued their dynamic partnership, with Thomas carrying the ball for a massive 35-yard gain on two plays, setting up a touchdown by running back Peyton Jones to give Duke its first lead of the game at 21-20. In the final minute, with North Carolina desperately trying to get into field goal range, Duke’s defense sealed the victory. On third-and-10, defensive back Jaylen Stinson hit Tar Heels quarterback Jacolby Criswell, causing the ball to drop into the hands of linebacker Tre Freeman, who secured the Victory Bell for Duke.
This incredible comeback—marked by 21 unanswered points—was the second-largest comeback in Duke football history and led to the Blue Devils’ first 5-0 start in 30 years. The win also demonstrated the resilience and potential of a Duke team that had often been overlooked in the ACC but was now emerging as a contender.
Despite the emotional highs of the North Carolina win, Duke’s season was not without its struggles. Following the victory over the Tar Heels, the Blue Devils faced Georgia Tech and suffered a 10-point loss, showing that their late-game heroics from earlier in the season could not be relied upon every week. In a similarly disappointing outcome, Duke was routed by Miami 53-13, as the Hurricanes put up an explosive offensive display that overwhelmed the Blue Devils’ defense.
Another bitter defeat came at home against SMU. Despite forcing a remarkable plus-seven turnover margin, Duke could not capitalize and lost in overtime, derailing their momentum. The defeat was particularly painful as it ultimately handed SMU a crucial victory on their way to securing a spot in the College Football Playoff.
However, Duke’s season wasn’t defined solely by losses. Despite those setbacks, the Blue Devils found ways to secure some monumental wins. After a bye week, they defeated Florida State for the first time in program history, ending a streak of 22 straight losses to the Seminoles. In one of the most thrilling victories of the season, Murphy led Duke to a dominant win over N.C. State, completing a clean sweep of the Triangle area schools.
In addition to these landmark victories, Duke ended its regular season on a high note with a dramatic walk-off touchdown against Wake Forest. Murphy connected with Moore for the first-ever walk-off score in Duke football history, securing the Blue Devils’ spot in the Gator Bowl against Ole Miss. This victory cemented Duke’s place as one of the top teams in the ACC, with a 9-3 record—the program’s best regular-season finish since 2014.
The offseason saw further changes as Maalik Murphy departed to join Oregon State, leaving a gap at the quarterback position. However, Duke quickly addressed this void by bringing in Darian Mensah from Tulane to lead the offense in 2025. Despite the loss of some key players, Duke’s program has continued to grow under Diaz’s leadership, and the future looks bright.
Ultimately, the 2024 season for Duke football will be remembered as one of overcoming adversity and achieving things that seemed out of reach. The team had to cope with injuries, departures, and close losses, but through it all, they found a way to rise above. The Victory Bell win against North Carolina, the historic triumph over Florida State, and the unforgettable walk-off win against Wake Forest are moments that will resonate with Duke fans for years to come.
Duke’s 9-3 record and their ability to hang with some of the best teams in the ACC signals that the program is moving in the right direction under Manny Diaz. While 2024 might not have been perfect, it was certainly a year to remember, and the Blue Devils’ perseverance and growth have set the stage for even more success in the future.
