Duke football overcomes injuries, mistakes in double OT win at Northwestern

Miscues, injuries don’t derail Duke football in double-overtime win at Northwestern

For just the second time in nearly 70 years, Duke football is off to a 2-0 start for the third consecutive season.  

The Blue Devils overcame injuries, miscues and a brief interruption by a rabbit Friday at Northwestern to earn a 26-20 double-overtime win on a wild night outside Chicago. 

The win gives Duke its first overtime victory since 2015 and keeps first-year coach Manny Diaz undefeated as the leader in Durham. 

Duke football extends streak of success against Northwestern

“I told the team I’m in awe of their effort,” first-year Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “Of all of the adversity that we went through — some self-inflicted, some caused by Northwestern — our ability to persevere and overcome was remarkable.” 

In a game that ended early Saturday morning and saw the Blue Devils extend their winning streak against Northwestern to six, Duke committed a laundry list of mistakes.

Here’s the list: muffed punt, blocked punt, interception, dropped interceptions, dropped fourth-down conversion, missed field goal and a fumble on the final drive of the fourth quarter that was overturned. 

The Blue Devils also saw starting running back Jaquez Moore leave the game in the first quarter before returning to the sideline with a boot on his right foot. And tight end Jeremiah Hasley was carted off the field with an apparent leg injury in the second quarter. 

Duke vs Northwestern highlights

Despite those setbacks and only 13 points through four quarters, Duke responded scored on both overtime possessions and a got defensive stop keyed by veteran cornerback Chandler Rivers. 

“That’s just a testament to our culture,” wide receiver Jordan Moore said. “The game’s not won in the first quarter, it’s won in the fourth or…

Source link : https://www.fayobserver.com/story/sports/college/acc/2024/09/07/duke-northwestern-double-overtime-maalik-murphy-jordan-moore-manny-diaz-college-football/75044038007/

Author : The Fayetteville Observer

Publish date : 2024-09-07 08:09:37

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