Blue Devil Country

Duke Football Saves Date for Potential End of Rivalry Losing Streak

There's a real possibility the Duke football squad and rival UNC will be a combined 8-0 when they meet in less than two weeks.

Matt Giles

Duke football head coach Manny Diaz
Duke football head coach Manny Diaz / James Guillory-Imagn Images
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First-year Duke football head coach Manny Diaz, whose 2019-21 stint at Miami coincided with the first three years in Mack Brown's return to the UNC football throne, is 0-3 as a head coach against the Tar Heels. Those losses include a 62-26 letdown in 2020 following his then-No. 9 Hurricanes' 48-0 blowout win over David Cutcliffe's Blue Devils and 8-1 start to their season.

Meanwhile, the Duke football program's losing streak against UNC has grown to five. Moreover, Mack Brown has prevailed 13 straight times in the rivalry, spanning four Blue Devil head coaches (Cutcliffe, Mike Elko, Fred Goldsmith, Barry Wilson) since falling at home to Steve Spurrier and his bunch, 41-0, in 1989.

Diaz's Blue Devils get their shot to reclaim the Victory Bell when Brown's Tar Heels arrive on Sept. 28 for a Saturday bout in Wallace Wade Stadium.

And as of Monday, the 2024 Duke-UNC kickoff time and broadcast network are set: 4 p.m. ET on ESPN2. Duke football advised Blue Devil fans to "Mark those calendars":

Entering its road battle against Middle Tennessee State (1-2, 0-1 Conference USA) at 4 p.m. ET Saturday (ESPNU), Duke football is off to a 3-0 start (0-0 ACC) in the Manny Diaz era. Most recently, the Blue Devils displayed a refuse-to-lose mentality in Saturday night's 26-21 home victory over UConn after pulling off a perseverant 26-20 road win in double overtime at Northwestern in Week 2.

As for Brown's 16th team in Chapel Hill, the Tar Heels are also 3-0 (0-0 ACC). They won at Minnesota in Week 1 before taking care of business at home against Charlotte and NC Central. UNC squares off against visiting James Madison (2-0, 0-0 Sun Belt) in Kenan Stadium at noon ET Saturday (ACC Network).

ALSO READ: Perseverance Pays as Duke Serves L to Big Ten Foe

Stay tuned to Duke Blue Devils On SI for more Duke football news.

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Matt Giles
MATT GILES

Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of Duke Blue Devils on SI, North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, and NC State Wolfpack on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining SI in 2022, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.

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