NEW YORK—In its last three bowl appearances, Duke has been known to step outside of its basic offense, displaying a little trickery in search of a taste of the bowl success that had evaded the program for so long. In last year's Sun Bowl, Will Monday found a wide-open Johnell Barnes on a fake punt.
Despite another late injury, the Blue Devils pulled out a bowl win Saturday in New York, ending a season during which the injury bug struck early and often.
A year full of winners saw five Blue Devil programs advance to the Final Four in their respective sports, including a national championship for Duke basketball.
The Blue Devils' first postseason win since the 1961 Cotton Bowl was not always pretty, but the victory was yet another accomplishment for the players and coaches whose on-field play has changed the culture and reputation of Duke football.
In a game that featured All-Americans, program record-holders and a plethora of veteran leaders, it was Duke’s backup running back who had the biggest impact on Saturday's game.
The snap was good. The hold was good. The kick missed to the right—barely. And Duke won a bowl game for the first time in 54 years.
Coming in at No. 5 on our list: The wild, controversial ending on Halloween night in Durham that gave Miami a dramatic win on an eight-lateral kickoff return, sparked national conversations about officiating and left the Blue Devils searching for answers.
The Blue Zone takes a look at Duke's thrilling 44-41 victory against Indiana in the Pinstripe Bowl.
The Blue Zone takes a look at Duke's performance in its overtime victory against Indiana in the Pinstripe Bowl.
After the Blue Devils defeated Indiana 44-41 in overtime to secure their their first bowl win since the 1961 Cotton Bowl, notable Duke figures took to Twitter to react.
Duke outlasted Indiana 44-41 in a overtime thriller in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl Saturday after Hoosier kicker Griffin Oakes' 37-yard field goal sailed above the uprights. The kick was ruled no good, sending the Blue Devils streaming onto the field in celebration of the program's first bowl victory since the 1961 Cotton Bowl.
Duke and Indiana head to the locker room tied 17-17 at Yankee Stadium after an exciting two quarters.
Duke administrators joined with officials from Indiana and the New York Yankees for a pregame press conference at Yankee Stadium Saturday.
The Blue Zone looks at three keys to victory for Duke in its bowl game Saturday against Indiana.
The Blue Zone takes a look at one player from each team that could be the difference as Duke looks to snap its long bowl-game victory drought.
As part of the build-up to Saturday's New Era Pinstripe Bowl, the Blue Devils and Hoosiers spent part of Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with the media one last time Duke and Indiana take the field at Yankee Stadium.
The Blue Devils have plenty of experience in the postseason—Duke's seniors have known nothing but bowl appearances during their time in Durham— but are still searching for an elusive postseason win.
The sightseeing in the Big Apple can make for a distraction. But when the time comes for the opening kickoff Saturday, the Blue Devils and Hoosiers will be focused on adding their names to Yankee Stadium lore.
Less than 48 hours removed from kickoff, the status of Indiana running back Jordan Howard remains a mystery.
When the Hoosiers take the field Saturday at Yankee Stadium in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl, do not let their 6-6 record fool you—their offense hits home runs by preparation.
