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Duke will take on Ole Miss in Thursday's Gator Bowl game.
The line on this one is coming in at Rebels -17. Note that Duke has been hit especially hard by the transfer portal.
Players to Watch and Missing Pieces
Ole Miss: Jaxson Dart is playing his final college football Thursday. He ranks fifth in college football with 3,875 passing yards (322.9 per game) while completing 68.6% of passes (249 for 363), with 25 touchdowns (18th in CFB) and six interceptions. He has 453 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns, averaging 37.8 per game. Henry Parrish Jr. has 131 carries for 693 rushing yards (77 yards per game) and 10 touchdowns. He also has 15 catches for 82 yards. Tre Harris has 61 receptions to rank 15th in the country with 1,063 yards (132.9 per game) and has seven touchdowns.
Dart never once considered skipping this bowl game.
“There wasn’t any doubt,” Dart said. “Never even had a second thought about it. I’m just really excited to go compete one more time with the guys.”
Duke: Maalik Murphy was 23rd in college football with 2,932 passing yards (244.3 per game) while completing 60.3% of passes (254 for 421), with 26 touchdowns (14th in CFB) and 12 interceptions. Murphy set Duke’s single-season record with 26 touchdown passes.
Unfortunately, he will not be playing in Thursday's Gator Bowl.
Nor will Star Thomas, who had 213 carries for 871 rushing yards (72.6 per game) and seven touchdowns during the regular season. He also has 20 catches for 153 yards and one touchdown.
Backup quarterback Grayson Loftis has also entered the portal.
Henry Belin IV will start. Belin completed his only pass this season and ran five times for 23 yards.
Belin won his lone start, a 24-3 victory against North Carolina State in 2023. He completed 4 of 12 passes for 107 yards, with two TDs and an interception.
“It’s a great lesson for everybody in the program that perseverance pays off,” Duke coach Manny Diaz said. “He has a chance now to perform on an outstanding stage against a terrific opponent.”
Key Matchup
The Blue Devils’ defense ranks 44th in yards allowed per game (344.2), while the Rebels’ offense is second in college football at 521.5 yards per game.
Duke’s 96.5 rushing yards per game is good for 126th in the FBS. Ole Miss’ defense allows 83.5 on the ground (second in college football).
Duke, as noted, will be mere shell of itself playing in Thursday's Gator Bowl.
Last Game
Ole Miss defeated Mississippi State 26-14. Dart led the Rebs with 143 yards on 14-of-24 passing (58.3%) for one touchdown and no interceptions. He also carried the ball 13 times for 77 yards. Ulysses Bentley IV carried the ball 20 times for 136 yards and scored one touchdown, adding one reception for seven yards. Caden Prieskorn put up 53 yards on four catches with one touchdown.
Duke beat Wake Forest 23-17. Murphy led the Devils with 235 yards on 26-of-34 passing (76.5%) for one touchdown and one interception. He also carried the ball two times for -8 yards and one rushing touchdown. Thomas had 66 rushing yards on 14 carries and one touchdown, adding five receptions for 27 yards. Jordan Moore had five receptions for 98 yards and one touchdown.
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