The Bearcats, led by third-year head coach Butch Jones, played their home games at Nippert Stadium.

They finished the season 10–3 overall and 5–2 in Big East play to place in a four-way tie for the conference championship.

The Blue Devils raced out to an early 16–0 lead in the first quarter after a punt was blocked and recovered for a touchdown.

With under a minute to play TE Travis Kelce took a short pass from Kay and broke several would be tackles in racing 83 yards for the winning score.

Insult was added to injury when Nick Temple stripped the ball from Duke QB Sean Renfree and dashed 55 yards with the stolen loaf for a score as time expired.