Needless potshot? Ok, I admit it. There's no need to point out how bad the football team is.
But evidently their football team SUCKS.
I'll disagree with ESPN and say the "biggest disappointment" was the team, the record, and probably the past 20 years.
Duke
The highlight: A 20-14 road win against Northwestern. The lowlight: Everything else. Duke finished 1-11 (0-8 in ACC play). Ted Roof got fired for his 6-45 record. The Blue Devils lost the season finale to -- gasp -- North Carolina. In overtime. Duke finished the regular season last in the ACC in total offense, rushing offense, scoring offense, total defense … you get the picture. If you're a Blue Devil, it just doesn't get much worse. Wait, yes it does: Since 1996, Duke has had four winless seasons and eight winless records against conference opponents. During that span, the Blue Devils never won more than four games in a season.MVP: Junior receiver Eron Riley provided a burst of productivity to Duke's otherwise forgettable season. His 20.8 yards per catch led the ACC and ranked fifth in the nation. Riley was second in league with nine touchdown catches -- four of which came against Navy. Unfortunately for the Dukies, it didn't matter.
Biggest Disappointment: The season finale. Against bitter rival North Carolina. The final play of regulation. With 1:25 remaining against the Tar Heels, Duke drove 58 yards to set up the potential game-winning field goal with one second left on the clock. But freshman Nick Maggio missed the 40-yard attempt. Duke lost 20-14 in overtime.
What's next: First the Blue Devils need to find a coach. Then they need the support of the administration. The stadium needs a facelift, and the infrastructure of the program -- relationships with the admissions office, the money to pay the coaches and academic support -- all need to grow. Other than that, the players are set. Duke will have 10 starters back on defense, along with quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and Riley.
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