What’s Next For Duke Football?

Dec 27, 2014; El Paso, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils wide receiver Jamison Crowder (3) runs back a punt for a touchdown against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2014 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

Duke has now appeared in three consecutive Bowl games and has now lost three consecutive bowl games.

The Blue Devils squared off in what was a thrilling finale with Arizona State in the Sun Bowl, a game they lost 36-31. The game was up for the taking and Duke held the lead with 5:03 remaining in the game. Arizona State returned the ensuing kickoff to the Duke four. Arizona State punched it in to take a 36-31 lead and ultimately the game winning touchdown. Duke would make a late drive but the drive would end at the Arizona State 14.

On third-and-10 and 45 seconds left in the game Duke had a chance to win the game. They were in the red-zone and then tragedy struck. Anthony Boone threw a pass to the end zone but was intercepted by Kweishi Brown and the game was over.

With the loss Duke finished the season with a record of 9-4 and fell just short of their ultimate goal. So what is next for Duke football? Where does the program go from here?

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The Blue Devils will be looking to build on their recent success and changed culture. They used to be a losing football team year after year and that can become part of your culture. Not only does it hurt the team mentality it impacts recruiting. After two bowl games, two winning seasons, and national television exposure Duke is becoming more attractive. Everyone knows that the academics at Duke are extremely strong and the basketball is near the top every year. Football was always second or third for the program with the success of the lacrosse team.

Duke football, under the direction of Coach David Cutcliffe, has been put on the map. They win games. They get games on television, and are ranked or just on the fringe of the rankings. The next step is to win a Bowl game.

Duke may take a step back next season because of the amount of impact losses the program is going to suffer. They lose a ton of senior leadership and senior play makers. Starting QB Anthony Boone and top target Jamison Crowder see their college careers end.

Crowder will be the hardest player to replace because he was such a dynamic threat. He can run down field, catch the ball extremely well, plays tough, is versatile, and your most reliable weapon. If you needed a big play chances are Crowder would be involved. Losing Boone will be a key loss but not one that is impossible to overcome.

Dec 27, 2014; El Paso, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils safety Evrett Edwards (2) celebrates after an interception against the Arizona State Sun Devils in the 2014 Sun Bowl at Sun Bowl Stadium. The interception was overturned after a replay review. Mandatory Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre-USA TODAY Sports

For as good as Boone was for the program he was limited as a QB. He is considered a dual-threat QB but his ability to throw isn’t spectacular. Boone threw two key interceptions that his legacy at Duke will be tarnished by. He threw one last year versus Texas A&M in a Bowl game loss and the one that ended his career versus Arizona State in a Bowl game loss. Boone had a great career at Duke and was a major reason in the programs development.

The Blue Devils lose two key offensive lineman that will be tough to replace.  Laken Tomlinson and Takoby Cofield will be graduating and both have a good chance of playing on Sunday’s. Duke will also lose 17 other seniors. Some of the player’s leaving are more valuable than others but all will be missed. David Helton, Josh Snead, Issac Blakeney, and C.J. France are just a few other players who played a key role week after week that will be graduating.

Duke will look to continue to add to their strong recruiting class and pick up a few more before the recruiting period ends. It will be interesting to see who is going to step up to replace both Boone and Crowder. Will someone already on the team emerge as the next Duke star, or will it be an incoming recruit? The future looks bright for football at Duke and is heading in the right direction under Coach Cutcliffe.