The Manny Diaz era at Duke begins 2-0 after the Blue Devils secured a thrilling 26-20 double-overtime win against the Northwestern Wildcats on Friday night.
Diaz replaced Mike Elko, who left Duke to take the job at Texas A&M after two years as head coach.
In addition to Elko's departure, former Duke quarterback Riley Leonard transferred to Notre Dame this offseason.
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Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Eli Pancol (4) celebrates his touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. (David Banks-Imagn Images)
Current Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy stepped up when it mattered most for the Blue Devils on Friday.
Murphy led an 11-play, 51-yard drive late in the fourth quarter to set up kicker Todd Pelino for a game-tying field goal that tied the score at 13 apiece with 14 seconds remaining.
Northwestern received the ball first in overtime and took a 20-13 lead after running back Cam Porter ran into the end zone from 10 yards out.
Murphy and the Blue Devils needed just one play to tie the score in the first overtime. Receiver Jordan Moore positioned himself behind the Northwestern defensive line and Murphy launched a dart toward his target for a quick response.
In the second overtime, the Blue Devils suffered more of the same. Murphy connected with Moore on the first play of the second overtime for a 22-yard gain and on the next play found wide receiver Eli Pancol in the end zone for a three-yard touchdown.
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The Duke Blue Devils celebrate a turnover during the second half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. (David Banks-Imagn Images)
However, Duke failed to convert the two-point touchdown pass, leaving its defense with a 26-20 lead.
The Wildcats were knocking on the door after some Porter rushes set up the offense for a 3rd-and-1 from the Duke three-yard line.
But unfortunately for Northwestern, that's where Duke's defense stiffened.
Chandler Rivers sacked quarterback Mike Wright for an eight-yard loss on third down.
On fourth down, the Blue Devils defense closed the door when Wright's desperation pass to Frank Covey IV failed to connect.
“This definitely hurts,” Northwestern coach David Braun said. “A lot of players in that locker room are struggling.”
The loss snapped Northwestern's five-game winning streak, which dated back to last season. The double-overtime victory was also Duke's sixth consecutive win over Northwestern dating back to 2016.
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Duke cornerback Chandler Rivers (0) tackles Northwestern quarterback Mike Wright (5) during the second overtime period of an NCAA college football game, Friday, Sept. 6, 2024, in Evanston, Ill. (AP Photo/Matt Marton)
Braun wants to see more from his quarterback in the future.
“Mike did some good things tonight, but Mike needs to get better,” Braun said. “Mike knows that. We know that. When we made our decision (on quarterback), it was something we were going to stick with Mike.”
“He needs to do a better job of judging the football, taking care of it and just operating within the confines of the offense,” Braun said.
Wright threw for 158 yards on 20 of 36 passing with a costly interception that led to Duke's first touchdown.
On the other hand, the Blue Devils players are delighted with their quarterback, especially their best receiver.
“Maalik is a very confident, very composed quarterback,” Moore said. “When he had opportunities to make plays, he made them. He's everything you can ask for in a quarterback, someone who is very level-headed and very confident in his abilities.”
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Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jordan Moore (8) catches a pass against the Northwestern Wildcats during the second half at Lanny and Sharon Martin Stadium. (David Banks-Imagn Images)
Murphy went 24-39, throwing for 242 yards and three touchdowns.
Duke will look to continue its hot start when it hosts the Connecticut Huskies on Sept. 14.
Northwestern will look to get back on track when it hosts Eastern Illinois on Sept. 14.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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