In 2023, Duke had another successful season under the leadership of Mike Elko, with a record of 7-5 and a berth in the Birmingham Bowl against Troy. While the team had a promising start, injuries to key players in the second half of the season impacted their performance. Additionally, several players, including Riley Leonard, Jordan Waters, Brandon Johnson, and Dorian Mausi, will not be available for the bowl game due to their personal decisions, such as entering the transfer portal. This trend of players leaving the program has been attributed to Elko’s departure to take the head coaching job at Texas A&M. The success of Duke’s football program under Elko’s leadership has contributed to the team’s improved profile in the ACC.
Notable Duke Players Absent from Birmingham Bowl Matchup with Troy
