As painful as the loss was for the Blue Devils — especially graduating players like wideout Jordan Moore, who was forced to put into words his lasting legacy on the program after the game — it was a necessary step in where Diaz hopes to take the program.

Duke quarterback Henry Belin found himself in a no-win situation, forced into a starting role as the Blue Devils faced Ole Miss in the Gator Bowl.

The Ole Miss Rebels had multiple players who could have called it quits early in the Gator Bowl, but they opted to continue playing.