At the beginning of the season I told friends and coworkers that I thought this Duke team would back a bowl game. Everyone laughed.
And yet
This wasn’t supposed to end this way: victory over UNC, first bowl game in 18 years, amazing crowd cheering the team on at the bowl… That story should end with a victory, but football is a cruel game.
Still, though, during the final play a familiar Duke basketball rang through the football stadium: Thank You Seniors! Thank You Seniors! Thank You Seniors!
Jackson Anderson, Kenny Anunike, Lee Butler, Jordon Byas, Walt Canty, Teddy Force, Tony Foster, Austin Gamble, Travis Gibson, Conor Irwin, Patrick Kurunwune, Brian Moore, Sean Renfree, Desmond Scott, Conner Vernon
Thanks y’all.
With special thanks to Sean Renfree & Conner Vernon.
Hopefully building on your four years next year, hopefully we’ll be back at a bowl game next year, hopefully it’ll end better.
And isn’t it nice to end a Duke football season not just with the familiar pain and heartbreak, but also with pride and hope.