BIRMINGHAM, AL – In a hard-fought battle at Protective Stadium, the Duke Blue Devils emerged victorious against the Troy Trojans, claiming a 17-10 win in the Birmingham Bowl on December 23, 2023. The game showcased a mix of defensive prowess, offensive resilience, and standout special teams performances.

Early Domination and Defensive Brilliance

Duke wasted no time asserting control, with graduate running back Jaylen Coleman punching in a one-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter. The Blue Devils set the tone early, ultimately holding Troy to a meager three points until late in the fourth quarter.

The defensive unit proved to be the backbone of Duke's success. Sophomore cornerback Chandler Rivers shone with three critical pass breakups, etching his name into the bowl record books. Redshirt sophomore linebacker Tre Freeman led the team with nine tackles, capping off a season where he surpassed the 100-tackle mark.

A standout moment came from senior defensive tackle Aeneas Peebles, who notched four tackles, 1.0 tackle for loss, and 1.0 sack, disrupting Troy's offensive rhythm. The Blue Devils collectively recorded 10 pass breakups, marking a historic high for a bowl game in the program's history.

Offensive Contributions and Milestones

Graduate running back Jaylen Coleman, in his final appearance, contributed significantly with a crucial touchdown. Freshman quarterback Grayson Loftis showcased composure, going 19-of-29 for 183 yards despite facing a resilient Troy defense.

Senior wide receiver Jalon Calhoun etched his name alongside Duke great T.J. Rahming, tying for third all-time in program history with 253 career catches. Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Sahmir Hagans played a pivotal role, hauling in five receptions for 55 yards.

Special Teams Excellence

Sophomore kicker Todd Pelino delivered a clutch performance, converting three field goals (34-, 37-, and 45-yards), tying a Duke bowl record. His precision proved crucial in securing the win, matching the tenacity displayed by the defense throughout the game.

Graduate student punter Porter Wilson showcased his punting prowess, registering four punts for 188 yards, concluding the season with the best single-season punting average in program history (46.64).

Sealing the Victory

The game's defining moment came in the fourth quarter when graduate safety Jeremiah Lewis secured the win with his fifth career interception, putting an end to Troy's hopes of a comeback.

Duke's triumph not only marked its fifth consecutive bowl victory but also snapped Troy's 10-game winning streak and halted its five-game bowl winning streak. The Blue Devils closed the season with an 8-8 all-time bowl record, leaving an indelible mark on the Birmingham Bowl and capping off a memorable year for Duke football.

TROY, AL – In a rain-soaked showdown at Veterans Memorial in Troy, Alabama, the first three quarters of the Sun Belt conference championship game was a gritty battle between the visiting App State Mountaineers and the Troy Trojans. Despite the inclement weather, a crowd of 20,183 ardent fans braved the elements to cheer on their teams, their roars echoing through the stadium. The atmosphere was electric, the stakes high, and the players on both sides gave it their all on the field, but it was the Trojans who rattled off twenty-eight points in the final quarter to win 49-23.

How it Happened

After a scoreless first quarter, both offenses finally found their rhythm. Troy’s junior running back Kimani Vidal, the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Player of the Year, rushed for two touchdowns, one for 7 yards and another for 36 yards, giving the West Division champions a 14-0 lead. The Mountaineers responded with a quick drive and one-yard touchdown rush by Kanye Roberts, narrowing the gap to 14-7.

In the third quarter, Kanye Roberts scored another rushing touchdown for the Mountaineers, tying the game at 14-all. The Trojans responded with a fifty-one-yard touchdown pass from Gunnar Watson to Chris Lewis. The Mountaineers added a 41-yard field goal by Michael Hughes, making the score 21-17 in favor of the Trojans. This was the closest the Mountaineers would be the rest of the night.

In the fourth quarter, the Trojans extended their lead with a 2-yard touchdown rush by Kimani Vidal and a 10-yard scoop and by Don Callis. The Mountaineers fought back with a 6-yard touchdown rush by Joey Aguilar, but the PAT rush failed. The Trojans sealed their victory with two more rushing touchdowns by Kimani Vidal, one for 6 yards and another for 49 yards, making the final score 49-23 in favor of the Trojans.

Top Performers

For the Mountaineers, quarterback Joey Aguilar completed 28 of 39 passes for a total of 275 yards. On the ground, Kanye Roberts led the rushing attack with fifty-three yards and two touchdowns on thirteen carries, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. Anderson Castle and Nate Noel also contributed to the rushing game with forty-seven yards each. In the receiving corps, Kaedin Robinson led with seventy yards on six receptions, followed by Christen Horn with forty-two yards on five receptions. On the defensive side for the Mountaineers, Nick Ross, EJ Jackson, Ethan Johnson, and C. Sullivan each recorded six tackles. Andrew Parker Jr. also contributed with five total tackles.

For the Trojans, Kimani Vidal had an outstanding game, rushing for 233 yards and five touchdowns on twenty-six carries, averaging an impressive nine yards per carry. On the defensive side, Dell Pettus led with eleven total tackles and one sack, followed by Javon Solomon with eight total tackles and two sacks. Reddy Steward and Irshaad Davis also made significant contributions to the defense.