With former Penn State Manny Diaz at the helm, Duke made program history Friday night.
Duke, which came into its game against Florida State 5-1, needed just a win to become bowl eligible.
The Devils got the job done in Durham with 23-16 win, it’s first in 23 tries against Florida State, making Diaz the first Duke coach to beat FSU.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Fittingly, defense was the name of the game.
With Florida State ahead 3-0 late in the first quarter, Duke’s Chandler Rivers ran an interception back for a 36-yard touchdown to put Duke ahead.
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On the next offensive play, Duke’s Ryan Smith recovered a fumble at the Florida State 36. 10 plays later, Duke pushed the lead to double digits on a 2-yard touchdown run by Star Thomas.
ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 15: Penn State Nittany Lions defensive coordinator Manny Diaz reacts during a college football game against the Michigan Wolverines on October 15, 2022 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire)
Duke’s defense wasn’t done making noise.
On the next possession, Ozzie Nicholas, who forced a fumble earlier, got an interception to set Duke up at the Florida State 11.
But Florida State’s defense bared down and held Duke to a field goal.
Florida State then chipped away with a field goal of its own to make it 17-6, which is how the score remained going into the half.
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Florida State started the second half with a bang.
Samuel Singleton Jr. took the opening kick for a 95-yard touchdown.
Duke answered by ending its first second-half drive with a field goal.
A Florida State field goal early in the fourth quarter made it 20-16. Duke continued the field goal batter by hitting one with 8:58 left to make it 23-16.
That ended up being the final score.
MANNY DIAZ: ALWAYS A NITTANY LION
Diaz was Penn State’s defensive coordinator for two seasons, and boy, were they successful.
In 2023, Diaz was in charge of the nation’s No. 1 total defense. Many were shocked when he wasn’t one of the five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant coach. That award ended up going to Iowa DC Phil Parker.
Many Penn State had a feeling Diaz— who was Miami’s head coach for three seasons before coming to Happy Valley— would return to the head-coaching ranks soon.
He did last December when he took the Duke job.
Now, Duke is 6-1 with four games to do more damage.
