Duke drought: Looking for 1st bowl win since 1961

DURHAM, N.C. (AP) - During its recent rise to relevance, Duke has done a lot of first-in-a-long-time things.

Except one: Win a bowl game.

The Blue Devils (9-3) have come agonizingly close in postseason losses to Cincinnati and Texas A&M.

The next attempt at their first bowl win since 1961 comes Dec. 27 in the Sun Bowl against No. 15 Arizona State (9-3).

The Duke seniors were the nucleus of the group that turned the program from perennial losers to 2013 ACC Coastal Division champions. They were serious contenders to repeat before two late losses gave the title to Georgia Tech.

These Blue Devils have posted the first consecutive nine-win seasons in school history.

Receiver Jamison Crowder said Wednesday that beating the Sun Devils "would be the icing on the cake for this group."