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LOOK: Duke and Ole Miss both having to adjust with opt-outs in Gator Bowl

Ben Garrettby:Ben Garrett•01/01/25•

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Ole Miss LB TJ Dottery (Photo credit: Ole Miss Football/Instagram)

Duke isn’t just down its top-two quarterbacks for its Gator Bowl showdown with Ole Miss. 

The Blue Devils (9-3, 5-3 ACC) are also without leading running back Star Thomas. Star quarterback Maalik Murphy transferred to Oregon State. Thomas opted out of the game. 

Duke on Thursday will roll with Henry Belin and reserve back Jaquez Moore at quarterback and running back, respectively. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m. CT on ESPN. 

Moore entered the year as the projected starter but battled injury.

“It’s hard, but that’s why we have one of the best defensive coordinators in the SEC,” in Pete Golding, veteran defensive lineman JJ Pegues said. He was addressing the challenging of preparing for the new-look Blue Devils. 

“We just leave it up to his hands and whatever he has us to do. At the end of the day, it’s us playing. It’s 1-v-1. So, we just try our best and go hard.”

Ole Miss vs. Duke: How to watch the Gator Bowl, start time, TV channel

Pegues and the Rebel defense had their own opt-out in linebacker Chris ‘Pooh’ Paul. 

Paul led the team in tackles in his only season at Ole Miss following a transfer from Arkansas last off-season. He’s already preparing for the NFL Draft.

Veteran Khari Coleman will take his place. Ole Miss enters play atop the nation in sacks (4.3) and tackles for loss (9.7) per game.

“Khari has been good,” Ole Miss starting linebacker TJ Dottery said. “He’s been very vocal this week with Pooh not being here. When I’m out of the box, he’s in the box and able to control the linebackers and safeties. He’s been doing great at that.”

The included photos from Gator Bowl practice were provided by Ole Miss Athletics.

JJ Pegues

Jaxson Dart

Jared Ivey

Caden Prieskorn

Austin Simmons

Akelo Stone

TJ Dottery

Juice Wells

Zxavian Harris

Louis Moore

Jaxson Dart

Diego Pounds

Trey Amos

Eli Acker

Walter Nolen and Patrick Broomfield

Dae’Quon Wright

Cam Clark

Caden Prieskorn

AJ Maddox

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