Sun Bowl Showdown: Duke Eyes One More Statement Win Against Arizona State
For Duke head coach Manny Diaz, the message hasn’t changed all season - and he wasn’t about to switch it up on the eve of the Sun Bowl.
“We don’t know that we’ve played our best game,” Diaz said Tuesday. “That’s the exciting part. We’ve got one more opportunity to really try and put it all together.”
That opportunity comes in El Paso, where the Blue Devils (8-5) face Arizona State (8-4) in the 92nd Sun Bowl. It’s not the College Football Playoff, which Duke had hoped for after winning the ACC title, but it’s still a chance to cap a resurgent season with a trophy - and a statement.
A Championship Effort - But Not the End Goal
If you’re looking for Duke’s most complete performance of the year, the ACC Championship Game is a strong contender. After getting handled by Virginia during the regular season, the Blue Devils flipped the script in Charlotte on December 6. In a gritty, high-stakes battle, Duke pulled off a 27-20 overtime win that delivered the program its first outright ACC title since 1962.
It was the kind of win that made folks wonder if Duke might sneak into the CFP. But at 8-5, the resume just didn’t have enough weight. Miami got the nod as the ACC’s representative, and the Blue Devils were left to regroup and refocus for the Sun Bowl.
Now, it’s about finishing strong - even without some key pieces.
Missing Stars, But Not Lacking Firepower
Duke will be without several NFL-bound starters. Cornerback Chandler Rivers, edge rusher Vincent Anthony Jr., and offensive lineman Brian Pickett II have all opted out to prepare for the draft. That’s a lot of talent and leadership off the field.
But the Blue Devils still have their biggest weapon: quarterback Darian Mensah.
Mensah, the ACC’s leading passer, will be under center for his first career bowl game. After transferring from Tulane - where he opted out of last year’s Gasparilla Bowl - Mensah has been everything Duke hoped for and more.
He threw for 3,646 yards and 30 touchdowns this season, with just five interceptions. His poise, arm talent, and decision-making have turned Duke into a legitimate offensive threat.
Mensah considered heading to the NFL himself but ultimately chose to return for another year in Durham - a decision that gives Duke rare stability at the game’s most important position.
“I’m looking forward to Darian really establishing himself as the leader of our program,” Diaz said. “He’s one of the top quarterbacks in the country.
What I love about Darian is his preparation. At Duke, we want to prepare like we’ve never won and play like we’ve never lost.
That’s exactly how he operates.”
A Bowl Debut and a Chance to Shine
While the Sun Bowl won’t be Mensah’s first big game - he’s already got a conference title under his belt - it will be his first postseason start. In the ACC title game, he was sharp and efficient, completing 19 of 25 passes for 196 yards.
His final throw? A one-yard touchdown to tight end Jeremiah Hasley to open overtime.
Moments later, linebacker Luke Mergott sealed the win with a game-ending interception, sparking a celebration that saw him cradle the football like a trophy of his own.
“He took that ball home and it’s in his bed used as a pillow,” joked defensive coordinator Jonathan Patke. “I’ve told our guys if they have a big-time game, hand me the ball and I’ll take it for you.”
The Sims Factor: Duke’s Defense Has Its Hands Full
While Duke’s offense will look to stay hot, the defense faces a serious challenge in Arizona State quarterback Jeff Sims. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, Sims is a dual-threat nightmare - and he’s already made history this season.
Sims rushed for 228 yards against Iowa State, the most ever by a Sun Devil quarterback, including an 88-yard touchdown sprint in a 24-19 win. He’s the engine behind an ASU offense that thrives on the ground.
“They’re one of the top rushing offenses in the Big 12,” Patke said. “They want to run the football, and they’ve got a quarterback who can really move. He’s very talented and has played a lot of football.”
Sims’ college journey has been a winding one - starting at Georgia Tech, then Nebraska, and now Arizona State - but he’s found his groove in Tempe under head coach Kenny Dillingham.
The Sun Devils will be without standout running back Raleek Brown, who rushed for over 1,100 yards this season before opting out to enter the 2026 NFL Draft. But even without Brown, ASU’s ground game remains dangerous.
A Trophy Case That’s Ready for More
Duke already made history this season by becoming the first conference champion to play in the Sun Bowl. Now, they’ve got a chance to add another piece of hardware to the collection.
“There’s plenty of room in our trophy case for more,” Diaz said with a grin.
And he’s not wrong. For a program that’s been building steadily, a win in El Paso would be more than just a feel-good ending - it would be proof that Duke football is here to stay.
92nd Sun Bowl
Matchup: Duke (8-5) vs. Arizona State (8-4)
When: Wednesday, 2 p.m. ET
Where: Sun Bowl Stadium, El Paso, Texas
TV: CBS
Streaming: Paramount Plus, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DIRECTV Stream, Sling TV
Series History: ASU leads 1-0 (won 36-31 in the 2014 Sun Bowl)
Duke’s already made a statement this season. One more, and they’ll head into 2026 with momentum - and maybe another trophy in tow.