On Sep. 18, 2021, Northwestern fell behind three touchdowns early to Duke in Durham, N.C.. The ‘Cats, led by a surging Andrew Marty, powered back to get close, but ultimately the early deficit was too much to overcome and Duke prevailed, 30-23.
A year later, the Wildcats found themselves in a similar problem in their 31-23 loss to the Blue Devils. Jim O’Neil’s defense allowed Duke to move the ball like it was the greatest show on turf, while Mike Bajakian’s offense stalled on two of the first three drives. Northwestern escaped their own territory just once before the ‘Cats were down 21-0, but that chance ended in a missed 38-yard field goal from Adam Stage.