Luke DeCock
@lukedecock.bsky.social
News & Observer sports columnist | USBWA past president | [email protected] | he/him | Nobody knows anybody, not that well | COYB
What you do you must do on your own.
The main thing is to write
for the joy of it.
— Seamus Heaney, Station Island
What you do you must do on your own.
The main thing is to write
for the joy of it.
— Seamus Heaney, Station Island
I get how wildly the finances have changed but college basketball has to find a way to save Maui and some of its brethren. Being all over TV this week is too important to the sport.
Texas just lost on a late 3 to Arizona State after 2 am ET and I’m still in love with Maui. Always will be.
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 PM
I get how wildly the finances have changed but college basketball has to find a way to save Maui and some of its brethren. Being all over TV this week is too important to the sport.
Reposted by Luke DeCock
And call a newspaper sports desk on a land line to ask who won the prize fight.
You know how there are some historical reenactment museum areas where you can go and see people dressed old timey churning butter and making horseshoes? There should be one that's a bar and kids can go listen to reenactors complain about their city's sports teams from different decades
November 24, 2025 at 11:07 PM
And call a newspaper sports desk on a land line to ask who won the prize fight.
Reposted by Luke DeCock
Aaaannnnd 85-74 loss for the Wolfpack.
First ranked team to lose to an unranked opponent this season.
Ranked teams are now 96-1 against unranked opponents.
First ranked team to lose to an unranked opponent this season.
Ranked teams are now 96-1 against unranked opponents.
“If we don't play with a little bit more purpose than we did (against VCU), we'll be swimming in the ocean." Will Wade before the Maui Invitational
N.C. State down 16-6 vs. Seton Hall in the opening game
N.C. State down 16-6 vs. Seton Hall in the opening game
November 24, 2025 at 10:24 PM
Aaaannnnd 85-74 loss for the Wolfpack.
First ranked team to lose to an unranked opponent this season.
Ranked teams are now 96-1 against unranked opponents.
First ranked team to lose to an unranked opponent this season.
Ranked teams are now 96-1 against unranked opponents.
Big weekend of NCAA championships:
NC State women’s cross country wins fourth title in five years.
UNC’s Reese Brantmeier wins women’s tennis singles title.
NC State’s Victoria Osuigwe and Gabriella Broadfoot win women’s doubles title.
NC State women’s cross country wins fourth title in five years.
UNC’s Reese Brantmeier wins women’s tennis singles title.
NC State’s Victoria Osuigwe and Gabriella Broadfoot win women’s doubles title.
November 24, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Big weekend of NCAA championships:
NC State women’s cross country wins fourth title in five years.
UNC’s Reese Brantmeier wins women’s tennis singles title.
NC State’s Victoria Osuigwe and Gabriella Broadfoot win women’s doubles title.
NC State women’s cross country wins fourth title in five years.
UNC’s Reese Brantmeier wins women’s tennis singles title.
NC State’s Victoria Osuigwe and Gabriella Broadfoot win women’s doubles title.
Reposted by Luke DeCock
Dabo got him.
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Duke’s Manny Diaz the latest ACC coach to teach Bill Belichick a lesson
The Blue Devils used one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks against him and suckered the Tar Heels on a late fake field goal in a 32-25 win.
www.newsobserver.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Dabo got him.
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Cuse taking some big Ls this weekend
Mascot Absolutely Reeks https://theonion.com/mascot-absolutely-reeks-1819576059/
November 23, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Cuse taking some big Ls this weekend
Dabo got him.
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Duke’s Manny Diaz the latest ACC coach to teach Bill Belichick a lesson
The Blue Devils used one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks against him and suckered the Tar Heels on a late fake field goal in a 32-25 win.
www.newsobserver.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Dabo got him.
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Jake Dickert got him.
Manny Diaz got him Saturday, throwing one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
Dear God, what’s Dave Doeren got planned for him next week?
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Reposted by Luke DeCock
From the moment he was hired, ACC coaches have been waiting for their moment against Bill Belichick. Thinking. Planning. Scheming to outsmart the master.
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Duke’s Manny Diaz the latest ACC coach to teach Bill Belichick a lesson
The Blue Devils used one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks against him and suckered the Tar Heels on a late fake field goal in a 32-25 win.
www.newsobserver.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:39 AM
From the moment he was hired, ACC coaches have been waiting for their moment against Bill Belichick. Thinking. Planning. Scheming to outsmart the master.
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
From the moment he was hired, ACC coaches have been waiting for their moment against Bill Belichick. Thinking. Planning. Scheming to outsmart the master.
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Duke’s Manny Diaz the latest ACC coach to teach Bill Belichick a lesson
The Blue Devils used one of Bill Belichick’s own gimmicks against him and suckered the Tar Heels on a late fake field goal in a 32-25 win.
www.newsobserver.com
November 23, 2025 at 1:39 AM
From the moment he was hired, ACC coaches have been waiting for their moment against Bill Belichick. Thinking. Planning. Scheming to outsmart the master.
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Most of them have, the latest Manny Diaz, who threw one of Belichick’s own gimmicks back in his face.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/spt-c...
Todd Pelino -- one carry, 26 yards -- is in the press conference, making this two straight Triangle games with a punter/kicker in the postgame media availability after State punter Caden Noonkester on Friday night.
November 23, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Todd Pelino -- one carry, 26 yards -- is in the press conference, making this two straight Triangle games with a punter/kicker in the postgame media availability after State punter Caden Noonkester on Friday night.
As a measure of the disdain Manny Diaz and his peers have for Belichick, Diaz wouldn't even give Belichick credit for it, even if it prompted an NFL rule change.
“I don’t know that’s his invention,” Diaz scoffed. “That play’s been around in college ball for a long, long time.”
“I don’t know that’s his invention,” Diaz scoffed. “That play’s been around in college ball for a long, long time.”
Highlight of the first half: After a UNC penalty took a missed Duke field goal off the board, Duke scored on the next play using the four-lineman gambit Bill Belichick used against the Ravens in a 2014 playoff win.
TE Jeremiah Hasley lined up eligible at left tackle, was wide open for a 14-yard TD.
TE Jeremiah Hasley lined up eligible at left tackle, was wide open for a 14-yard TD.
November 23, 2025 at 12:27 AM
As a measure of the disdain Manny Diaz and his peers have for Belichick, Diaz wouldn't even give Belichick credit for it, even if it prompted an NFL rule change.
“I don’t know that’s his invention,” Diaz scoffed. “That play’s been around in college ball for a long, long time.”
“I don’t know that’s his invention,” Diaz scoffed. “That play’s been around in college ball for a long, long time.”
Duke 32, UNC 25.
After waiting 72 years to "beat Duke," Bill Belichick will have to keep waiting. Duke's fake field goal sets up the game-winning touchdown as the Tar Heels are eliminated from bowl contention.
Belichick has to walk past Duke ringing the Victory Bell on the UNC loco at midfield.
After waiting 72 years to "beat Duke," Bill Belichick will have to keep waiting. Duke's fake field goal sets up the game-winning touchdown as the Tar Heels are eliminated from bowl contention.
Belichick has to walk past Duke ringing the Victory Bell on the UNC loco at midfield.
November 22, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Duke 32, UNC 25.
After waiting 72 years to "beat Duke," Bill Belichick will have to keep waiting. Duke's fake field goal sets up the game-winning touchdown as the Tar Heels are eliminated from bowl contention.
Belichick has to walk past Duke ringing the Victory Bell on the UNC loco at midfield.
After waiting 72 years to "beat Duke," Bill Belichick will have to keep waiting. Duke's fake field goal sets up the game-winning touchdown as the Tar Heels are eliminated from bowl contention.
Belichick has to walk past Duke ringing the Victory Bell on the UNC loco at midfield.
Duke sacks Lopez, bringing up 4th-and-13 with 1:24 to go as UNC burns its final timeout. Lopez overthrows Paysour down the Duke sideline and that'll do it.
Paysour gets hit for UNC's third unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of the quarter.
Duke declines to pull a Jake Dickert here and kneels it out.
Paysour gets hit for UNC's third unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of the quarter.
Duke declines to pull a Jake Dickert here and kneels it out.
November 22, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Duke sacks Lopez, bringing up 4th-and-13 with 1:24 to go as UNC burns its final timeout. Lopez overthrows Paysour down the Duke sideline and that'll do it.
Paysour gets hit for UNC's third unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of the quarter.
Duke declines to pull a Jake Dickert here and kneels it out.
Paysour gets hit for UNC's third unsportsmanlike conduct penalty of the quarter.
Duke declines to pull a Jake Dickert here and kneels it out.
Duke makes the fake field goal count as Anderson Castle punches it in. Unsportsmanlike on UNC puts the ball at the 1 for the conversion, which Duke converts.
Tensions flare again on the Duke sideline, another unsportsmanlike on UNC.
Duke leads in points, 32-25. UNC leads in penalty yards, 87-27.
Tensions flare again on the Duke sideline, another unsportsmanlike on UNC.
Duke leads in points, 32-25. UNC leads in penalty yards, 87-27.
November 22, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Duke makes the fake field goal count as Anderson Castle punches it in. Unsportsmanlike on UNC puts the ball at the 1 for the conversion, which Duke converts.
Tensions flare again on the Duke sideline, another unsportsmanlike on UNC.
Duke leads in points, 32-25. UNC leads in penalty yards, 87-27.
Tensions flare again on the Duke sideline, another unsportsmanlike on UNC.
Duke leads in points, 32-25. UNC leads in penalty yards, 87-27.
Todd Pelino from 44 yards out ... but it's a fake to Pelino that catches UNC entirely by surprise. Holder Kade Reynoldson tosses it up to him, he turns the corner and gets all the way down to the 1-yard line.
Whatever the reverse-pass call was, this was the opposite.
Whatever the reverse-pass call was, this was the opposite.
a man says " and totally redeem yourself " in front of a motorcycle helmet
ALT: a man says " and totally redeem yourself " in front of a motorcycle helmet
media.tenor.com
November 22, 2025 at 11:35 PM
Todd Pelino from 44 yards out ... but it's a fake to Pelino that catches UNC entirely by surprise. Holder Kade Reynoldson tosses it up to him, he turns the corner and gets all the way down to the 1-yard line.
Whatever the reverse-pass call was, this was the opposite.
Whatever the reverse-pass call was, this was the opposite.
Duke sacks Lopez twice to force a punt.
Blue Devils ball, down 25-24, on their own 32 with 6:37 to play.
Blue Devils ball, down 25-24, on their own 32 with 6:37 to play.
November 22, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Duke sacks Lopez twice to force a punt.
Blue Devils ball, down 25-24, on their own 32 with 6:37 to play.
Blue Devils ball, down 25-24, on their own 32 with 6:37 to play.
Duke, on 4th-and-1, runs a reverse pass to Que'Sean Brown, who reverses field again, goes backward, eludes one tackle and gets smacked for an 11-yard loss.
That's a game-losing play right there.
That's a game-losing play right there.
November 22, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Duke, on 4th-and-1, runs a reverse pass to Que'Sean Brown, who reverses field again, goes backward, eludes one tackle and gets smacked for an 11-yard loss.
That's a game-losing play right there.
That's a game-losing play right there.
UNC's offense finally showed up, and Duke looks lost. Davion Gause from 12 yards out to give the Tar Heels their first lead, 25-24. Duke showed absolutely no resistance on that drive after Lopez wriggled out of a potential safety.
Gio Lopez is 20-for-25 for 205 yards and a TD. Jordan Shipp 7-84-1.
Gio Lopez is 20-for-25 for 205 yards and a TD. Jordan Shipp 7-84-1.
November 22, 2025 at 11:08 PM
UNC's offense finally showed up, and Duke looks lost. Davion Gause from 12 yards out to give the Tar Heels their first lead, 25-24. Duke showed absolutely no resistance on that drive after Lopez wriggled out of a potential safety.
Gio Lopez is 20-for-25 for 205 yards and a TD. Jordan Shipp 7-84-1.
Gio Lopez is 20-for-25 for 205 yards and a TD. Jordan Shipp 7-84-1.
To the fourth quarter. UNC finally forced a Duke punt and is driving in response. Might get a dramatic finish out of this one yet.
Duke 24, UNC 18.
Duke 24, UNC 18.
November 22, 2025 at 11:01 PM
To the fourth quarter. UNC finally forced a Duke punt and is driving in response. Might get a dramatic finish out of this one yet.
Duke 24, UNC 18.
Duke 24, UNC 18.
Lopez buys time, finds Jordan Shipp in the end zone from 20 out to make it a one-score game, and Lopez finds a stretched-out, diving Shipp again for the two-point conversion.
UNC's offense comes to life when it absolutely had to, cuts the Duke lead to 24-16.
UNC's offense comes to life when it absolutely had to, cuts the Duke lead to 24-16.
November 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Lopez buys time, finds Jordan Shipp in the end zone from 20 out to make it a one-score game, and Lopez finds a stretched-out, diving Shipp again for the two-point conversion.
UNC's offense comes to life when it absolutely had to, cuts the Duke lead to 24-16.
UNC's offense comes to life when it absolutely had to, cuts the Duke lead to 24-16.
Anderson Castle punches it in from the 1 to put Duke up 24-10. The Blue Devils have scored every time they've touched the ball (other than a kneel-down to end the half).
Duke's four scoring drives: 10 plays-4:51 (TD), 13-6:11 (TD), 14-6:51 (FG), 11-5:41 (TD).
Duke's four scoring drives: 10 plays-4:51 (TD), 13-6:11 (TD), 14-6:51 (FG), 11-5:41 (TD).
November 22, 2025 at 10:35 PM
Anderson Castle punches it in from the 1 to put Duke up 24-10. The Blue Devils have scored every time they've touched the ball (other than a kneel-down to end the half).
Duke's four scoring drives: 10 plays-4:51 (TD), 13-6:11 (TD), 14-6:51 (FG), 11-5:41 (TD).
Duke's four scoring drives: 10 plays-4:51 (TD), 13-6:11 (TD), 14-6:51 (FG), 11-5:41 (TD).
Mensah scrambles for a dozen and Duke is 3-for-3 on 4th down.
November 22, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Mensah scrambles for a dozen and Duke is 3-for-3 on 4th down.
Respect Notre Dame leaving absolutely no doubt.
November 22, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Respect Notre Dame leaving absolutely no doubt.