Quarterbacks Lewis and Renfree shine in Spring Game

Redshirt freshman Sean Renfree - BDN Photo
Redshirt freshman Sean Renfree - BDN Photo

DURHAM, N.C. -- Redshirt freshman quarterback Sean Renfree threw for 210 yards and two touchdowns to lead the White squad to a 24-17 victory over the Blue team in front of 4,162 fans at the annual Spring Football game held Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.

“The game was crisp with few penalties," Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said.  "No one was sloppy with the football and I thought the game was intense. I told the players before the game that we are a good football team.  I thought they played like one today.  We had really good execution for the most part throughout the game."
Renfree completed 15-of-24 throws on the day with scoring strikes of 17 yards to wide receiver Matt Pridemore and 17 yards to tight end Danny Parker.  Pridemore led the White team with five receptions for 67 yards while running back Patrick Kurunwune paced the ground attack with 66 yards on 13 attempts while hauling in four passes for an additional 67 yards.  Running back Tony Jackson added a touchdown run and finished with 34 yards on six carries.

“The passing game is something we have elevated," said Cutcliffe.  "We are stretching the field better.  There were some nice plays made.  I thought the quarterbacks both had a good day.  I also thought we ran the ball well.  It was encouraging to see the second offense execute as well as they did.”

For the Blue unit, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis hit on 17-of-23 passes for 257 yards while rushing for a pair of one-yard touchdowns.  His favorite target was wide receiver Donovan Varner who had six grabs for 116 yards.

“We went out there and executed," Lewis said.  "We had some big plays today.  The coaches put us in good situations.  We can go to the tight ends over the middle and to our shifty guys who can get yards after the catch.  If they leave our running backs open we can get the ball to those guys with space and let them do what they do best.”
Cutcliffe announced the recipients of the program's annual spring awards: Jeremy Ringfield (Most Improved Special Teams Player), Pontus Bondeson (Co-Most Improved Offensive Player), Danny Parker (Co-Most Improved Offensive Player), Damian Thornton (Co-Most Improved Defensive Player), Charlie Hatcher (Co-Most Improved Defensive Player) and Vincent Rey (Blue Devil Heart).
SCORING SUMMARY
Blue -- Thaddeus Lewis 1 run (Nick Maggio kick)
White -- Matt Pridemore 17 pass from Sean Renfree (Will Snyderwine kick)
Blue -- Thaddeus Lewis 1 run (Nick Maggio kick)
White -- Danny Parker 17 pass from Sean Renfree (Will Snyderwine kick)
White -- Tony Jackson 1 run (Will Snyderwine kick)
Blue -- Nick Maggio 25 FG
White -- Paul Asack 30 FG
STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING
Blue -- Cameron Jones 10-20, Re'quan Boyette 7-19
White -- Patrick Kurunwune 13-66, Tony Jackson 6-34, Sean Renfree 3-16
PASSING
Blue -- Thaddeus Lewis 17-23, 257 yards
White -- Sean Renfree 15-24, 210 yards, 2 touchdowns
RECEIVING
Blue -- Donovan Varner 6-116, Cameron Jones 2-44
White -- Matt Pridemore 5-67, Patrick Kurunwune 4-67
TACKLES
Blue -- Adam Banks 8, Curtis Hazelton 5, Colin Jones 5, Zack Asack 4, Jeremy Ringfield 4
White -- Matt Daniels 7, Vincent Rey 7, Catron Gainey 5, Ayanga Okpokowuruk 5
SACKS
Blue -- Jeremy Ringfield 1 (-3)
White -- Ayanga Okpokowuruk 2 (-13)