Maalik Murphy

NSJ 2024 Coach of the Year

January 16, 2025 Shawn Krest

When Duke hired Manny Diaz to replace Mike Elko, the decision was questioned in some circles. Most notably, the sports staff at a North Carolina newspaper, who like to think they know something about football, […]

Bowl losses make fans say humbug

January 16, 2025 Shawn Krest

The Grinch, Ebeneezer Scrooge and college football in North Carolina—no three things have been responsible for the death of more holiday joy. This year, East Carolina was the lone team from the state to record […]

Key exits highlight early in-state transfer portal action

December 20, 2024 Ryan Henkel

We’re living in a new era of college football with NIL and the transfer portal changes and what that means is that these transfers now play a big part in roster construction either in terms […]

Blue Devils spoil Wolfpack Senior Day

November 9, 2024 Ryan Henkel

The Duke Blue Devils (7-3, 3-3 ACC) stopped their two-game slide, and subsequently ended the NC State Wolfpack’s (5-5, 2-4 ACC) two-game winning streak in a 29-19 slog Saturday evening. The Blue Devils had a […]

Duke rallies to take Victory Bell

September 28, 2024 Shawn Krest

As the final seconds ticked away of the most improbable of wins, the Duke Blue Devils left their bench and charged across the field. Water flew in the air in celebration as the team angled […]

Duke D “a sight to see” in opener

August 31, 2024 Shawn Krest

On the first snap of Elon’s season, quarterback Matthew Downing looked to pass and saw Duke defenders instead. With Aaron Hall bearing down on him, Downing was forced to throw the ball incomplete. After a […]

Diaz, Duke exorcising past demons

August 30, 2024 Shawn Krest

Manny Diaz sipped from his water bottle and searched for the correct words. Much like the quarterback his team had just spent three hours trying to tackle, they eluded him. “I saw football things happen […]

Duke FB hopes to keep rolling

August 30, 2024 Shawn Krest

DURHAM – Way back in 1989, Steve Spurrier coached Duke to an 8-4 record, including a trip to the All-American Bowl in Birmingham. It was the second straight winning season in Durham for the Ole’ […]

Comings, goings in football transfer portal

December 21, 2023 Shawn Krest

The transfer portal is still active with many uncommitted players from around the country, but the initial rush seems to have passed, giving us a chance to look around the state and see how college […]