Winning is never easy.
“This is the moment when the head coach is supposed to make sense of everything we’ve just seen,” Manny Diaz remarked following the game. “But I’m not entirely sure I can.”
However, there was one thing Diaz was certain about.
“What we witnessed today was as mentally tough and resilient a football team as I’ve ever been around in my entire career.”
Duke’s 23-17 walk-off win over Wake Forest wrapped up a nine-win season in Diaz’s first year as head coach. The game was a microcosm of the season itself—marked by inconsistent performances, mental strength, resilience, and, in the end, emerging victorious.
Looking back at Duke’s season, it’s clear that the team’s physical and mental toughness have been hallmarks of its success, a result of elite coaching and rigorous offseason preparation. Of the nine wins, seven have been decided by a single score, with Duke coming out on top in six of those tight contests.
Some of the success can certainly be attributed to luck—whether it was the bounce of the ball or moments like Maalik Murphy’s shin grazing the ground against Northwestern before fumbling.
But in every close win, one constant stood out: Diaz and defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke’s defense stepped up when needed most. The defensive stops came in various forms, but the late-game execution in these tight contests has been nothing short of exceptional. Even when the defense was worn down, it made key plays six times during the season.
“We’re an elite defense that wants the game in our hands,” linebacker Ozzie Nicholas explained. “So when we get that opportunity, the guys are just fired up.”
Against Wake Forest, those crucial stops came twice. The first one came with seven minutes left in the game when Chandler Rivers disrupted a screen pass on third-and-8 in Blue Devil territory, preventing the Demon Deacons from moving into field-goal range. Then, with just 1:35 remaining, Wesley Williams and Kendy Charles teamed up to sack Wake Forest quarterback Hank Bachmeier on third-and-9, forcing a major loss.
Bachmeier had found success earlier in the game, and the Demon Deacons’ slow-mesh offense kept the Blue Devils on their toes. However, in the second half, Duke’s defensive front seven dominated, tallying 11 tackles for loss and five sacks. That consistency—making key stops and disrupting the backfield—is a hallmark of the Blue Devils’ defense, which has ranked among the nation’s best all season.
“It was one of those days where we had to adjust and really lock in,” Nicholas said. “But that’s what great defenses do, so it’s not something we’re concerned about.”
But the late-game execution wasn’t just a defensive trait. The offense, led by Maalik Murphy, also stepped up after a rough first half. Murphy threw for three second-half touchdowns, including a 39-yard walk-off touchdown pass to Jordan Moore. That play, however, wasn’t scripted—it was born out of improvisation.
“Jordan Moore was running a five-yard route. The cornerback jumped it. Jordan just instinctively went deep,” Diaz explained. “When they made eye contact, and Jordan started running deep, I think Maalik just thought, ‘This might be something we can hold onto here.’”
That moment showcased the elite chemistry between Murphy and Moore, a connection that has been instrumental to Duke’s success this season. Moore’s leadership over the past four years has played a key role in transforming the Blue Devils’ program, and that chemistry culminated in a fitting end to a game—and a season—that was full of unpredictable moments.
Throughout the year, Duke has repeatedly shown its ability to persevere in challenging situations and to overcome adversity. Diaz’s team has consistently been strong in the final quarter, and the coach knew that would be a critical factor heading into the season.
“One thing I can promise you is that we’ll be in a lot of close games in the fourth quarter,” Diaz said at the ACC Kickoff in July. “That’s just how the sport works. And sometimes, short-term success can mask what’s actually excellence in the long term.”
Diaz often emphasizes the difference between success and excellence, reminding his players that wins and losses aren’t always indicative of the quality of play. A team can win or lose, but the execution doesn’t always reflect the final score.
He’s also cautioned against overreacting to short-term outcomes in the process of building a program. Yet, in 2023, Duke has achieved both short-term success—nine wins—and demonstrated the long-term signs of excellence—resilience, a strong culture, and impressive recruiting.
Most of these wins weren’t perfect. Diaz would be the first to admit that his team didn’t always meet his standards, even in their recent win against Virginia Tech. The Wake Forest game was filled with mistakes from Duke’s side—only 122 yards of offense in the first half, missed tackles, and more. With such a less-than-perfect performance, one might have expected that these shortcomings would eventually catch up with the Blue Devils. But as this season has shown, the ability to overcome those mistakes and finish strong has been a defining trait of this Duke team.
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