DURHAM - True Freshman running back Josh Snead scored his first collegiate touchdown against Elon and he hopes that's just the begginning. BDN sat down with Snead to get his thoughts on the opening day victory and the big game to come with Wake Forest.
Just press play -
Good Labor Day Monday folks! Despite the holidaze there is still a Monday Musings column in store for those who read on. I recap the opening day win over Elon, touch on recruiting, encourage you to support Coach K and Team USA and whine a little bit about the Wade Wacko's who leave the game early. And of course, there is our continued salute to the cheerleaders and the best mascot in the world with the pic of the week.
It's good to be 1-0
The Blue Devils have a lot of areas to improve upon after their 41-27 opening day victory over Elon but for now they are 1-0 and that affords the football team an opportunity to get off to a good start in 2010. Several young players showed they have good upside and abilities in Saturday's win including a pair of freshman running backs in Josh Snead and Juwon Thompson ability. Be it a timely sack from redshirt freshman Justin Foxx or Desmond Scott showing that he wanted to be the man in the backfield, Duke's youth showed promise and gained valuableexperience. Trust me, Elon is no slouch or a walk in the park like Samford, Florida A & M or other opening day beating boys for fellow ACC members. Still, Duke must stop letting up big plays which Coach Cutcliffe alluded to on his call in show on Sunday if they have a chance against Wake Forest in Winston Salem this weekend.
Speaking of Wake Forest
This is a huge game for Duke in many ways for the Blue Devils at some point must break through against an opponent that has had their number the last ten outings. Despite that disparity, the Blue Devils still dominate the series against their rival. Cutlciffe could chalk up another signature win should the cards fall right on Saturday where Duke is an early 5.5 point underdog. Hopefully, the Duke Nation will travel in force to support the team in this noon affair which will be televised by Raycom Sports. Early indicators point to a good old fashion shoot out but as we all know there is a lot of improvement from week one to week two and that will determine who wins this contest. You can bet that both teams held back much of their arsenal in the openers which is another indicator that this will be one heck of an early season ACC matchup. We'll be talking a lot about this game as the week progresses.
Thaddeus Lewis and the Rams
I love me some Thaddeus Lewis! Getting to know Lewis over the years was rewarding and it is no surprise to me that he made the cut for the St. Louis Rams. Unassuming and laid back off the field, Lewis is all about drive when on it and I can tell you first hand that he is a hard worker trying to fulfill his dreams. I'll miss Mrs. Lewis being right there on front row to cheer her son on and I will certainly follow his exploits in the NFL as will many of you. It couldn't have happened to a better kid.
Nice crowd there, Duke fans!
For those who attended this past Saturday's game, I am sure they'll tell you it was nice to see Wally World [Wallace Wade Stadium] full which made for a great college football environment. Lots of Duke Blue filled the place and those there for the first time will hopefully return. In short, let's do it again! Now, if we can get the students to stay past half time, we'll have really made progress. Oh snap! That's just not a fair statement for the ones who did remain were really good. I dream of a day the students will lift the team for the whole game. It's happened, it can happen, but will it happen?
USA -USA -USA!
That old Mike Krzyzewski just keeps on winning and he hasn't let up since last seasons Countdown to Craziness. Team USA enters the elimination round and after an expected walk through in game one, it will get dicey from then on. Support our guys starting this week and let's cheer them on while Kryzyzewski works his magic. The master will return with assistant coach Chris Collins in late September where they will hit the road running to prepare for what should be a fabulous 2010-11 season.
Countdown to Craziness 2
It's coming to theater near you! October 15h marks the start of the college basketball season in many ways and the Blue Devils are stirring up more than just a little excitement. Several prospects are lined up for the event which you can read about on BDN Premium, your inside source for all things Duke. Last years event was incredible and it set the tone for a national championship run and who'll ever forget short-short's and ice. We'll defer to Nolan Smith for the answers if I lost you there.
Recruiting is quiet but that will change soon
With Coach K in the middle east and kids just starting back to school, all is rather quiet on the hoops recruiting front, but that'll change shortly as in home visits will be set up and again, check out BDN Premium for all the latest. We posted a new interview with Shabazz Muhammad today and have more as the week progresses.
Be safe, be happy and relax
You deserve a break today and not because you visited McDonald's. Did anyone get that lame attempt at humor or did I generation you out? Regardless, take time to relax, recharge, spend time with family and friends. Think of what is important in life! That's obviously Duke Athletics. Seriously, hope all had a great Labor Day weekend and thanks for checking out the Blue Devil Nation.
Shabazz Muhammad has quickly become one of the top prospects in the nation in the class of 2012. Armed with a great shooting touch to go with his strong insid game, it’s no wonder why he’s drawing so much attention from every major college basketball program. BDN caught up with the immensely talented junior to get his thoughts on the recent Elite 24 event and the recruiting process/
BDN: Can you tell us how your summer has gone so far?
SM: My summers been going really well, we played a lot of good teams in summer ball and I think I did a really great job, and now it’s back to high school season.
BDN: This is your [private] first Elite 24 game, is there anything you want to show off to the fans?
SM: Yea it’s exciting but I know I’m the young guy here so I’m gonna try and get these other guys involved that aren’t going to be back in this game. I’m just here for those guys and I’m gonna get them involved and have fun out there.
BDN: Now earlier in the summer you had a chance to check out the USA Basketball training camp in Vegas. Can you talk about that for us?
SM: It was a great experience watching those pro guys, they really work their butts off. They just play hard day in and day out, and I see why those guys are where they are at now.
BDN: Yeah, for sure. You’ve now won back to back state titles at Bishop Gorman and now you’re going to go for the Lakers three-peat. Can you talk about what that process is like to go about trying to do that?
SM: Yeah, the mindset is just getting it in in practice every day and working hard in practice. I know the teams are going to be practicing hard to try and get after us so we gotta respond and practice hard and get ready for the season.
BDN: So your brother Rashad is now going to be playing with you. Can you talk about the experience of being able to play with him and share that chemistry?
SM: Yea definitely it’s going to be great. He played JV last year and we’re moving him up to varsity this year so he should do really well and he’s really filling out
BDN: Can we get a quick scouting report on him?
SM: About 6’4, really long. He brings the ball up and he can really shoot the ball, and he’s a havoc for the little guards who try to guard him because he can post them up or take them on the wing.
BDN: Do you guys play a lot of one on one together? How does that go?
SM: (smiling) Yea yea yea I do play one on one with him, he still can’t get there quite yet but he’s doing good.
Rivals writer interjects: Ask him if his school is better than Findlay prep?
BDN: Is Gorman better than Findlay?
SM: Ummmm we’re gonna play them, so hopefully we can beat them. I think this is gonna be the closest year that we’ve played them.
BDN: Good luck with that. Your father played for USC so he knows the process, does he help you a lot with your decision?
SM: Yea he’s a big help, I mean he’s been through this process before, going to these colleges and visiting them, so I just ask him all about that and he responds and helps me out a lot thinking about the colleges.
BDN: You’ve had a really great summer so far averaging around 30ppg. Can you talk about the coaches that have seen you out there?
SM: Yea they just say good job and to keep it up and that I’m really improving. I try to improve every year and keep showing those skills, and it’s really paying off.
BDN: Any coaches in specific?
SM: Yea Duke and Coach K, he’s been really impressed. Coach Williams was impressed and Coach Calipari was impressed. Those coaches have been calling and saying that.
Rivals writer interjects again: He got 55pts in Vegas this year.
SM: smiles and laughs
BDN: Do you have any trips coming up for the upcoming college season?
SM: Yes for Midnight Madness I’ll be at North Carolina.
BDN: While in North Carolina any chance to take a trip 8 miles down the road?
SM: (smiling) I dunno, I might we’ll see, but it’s definitely going to be exciting.
BDN: Thanks a lot Shabazz.
SM: No problem. [/private]
DURHAM - BDN takes a look at several aspects of the game and individual play in our first addition of Sunday Morning Quarterback for the 2010 season.
Sean Renfree Debut is solid
Renfree was one cool customer in the Blue Devils opening win throwing for 350 yards and 2 touchdowns. More impressive was his completion percentage of 31 for 39. Renfree took a sack in the game but from my vantage he looked off his receivers and when none were open took the sack instead of throwing what would have been a risky pass. Renfree had control of his team and showed he was cool under pressure but he admitted that he was at times nervous. Renfree is the key to Duke's success this season and teams will start to come after him beginning with Wake Forest this Saturday.
Running game led by Scott
Durham native Desmond Scott rushed for 77 yards on 15 carries for a 5.5 yard average. True freshman Josh Snead [1 touchdown] added 29 yards and fellow frosh Juwon Thompson 26 which translates into 4.1 and 3.1 yards per carry. Jay Hollingsworth scored a touchdown but was not as effective gaining 16 yards on 10 carries. Reserve quarterback Brandon Connette showed off his running ability scampering 48 yards down the sideline on his only carry. Overall the running game improved but there is plenty of room for improvement with concerns to making big plays.
Offensive front solid
The offensive line seemed improved as well and Cutcliffe was able to play several backups as the game progressed which is for the first time in many years allowing the Blue Devils to build some depth.
Conner Vernon picks up where he left off
Vernon led Duke in receptions with 10 catches for 129 yards and the sophomore wideout shows tremendous confidence on the field. There were several instances where he let the coverage know they could not stop him and that edginess to his game is refreshing.
Donovan Varner just as good
Varner took a while to warm up and he saw more coverage than any Duke receiver. He still brought in 7 catches for a touchdown and 123 yards in receptions.
Good night for Brandon King
A few years ago King caught a TD pass vs UConn and it looked as if he would be a playmaker for Duke. The Blue Devils are deep at the tight end position but King stood out last evening with a touchdown catch of 7 yards to go with his 5 catches. Duke held out Cooper Helfet and Brett Huffman hauled in 2 passes as well.
A great opening night crowd
Fans turned out in force selling out Wallace Wade Stadium and the atmosphere was solid most of the evening. The 33,941 fans still do not quite get on a whole when to cheer on key defensive downs but they are getting better and the support was appreciated by Cutcliffe and his team. If Duke can beat Wake this weekend, Duke will have a strong crowd for the Army. And Alabama? Get there three hours before kickoff.
542 yards of total offense
Not bad, huh? The offensive output was the most in the David Cutcliffe era. The previous high was 502 in the win over N.C State last season.
The good
Offensively Duke looks as if they are really grasping Cutcliffes system in his third year at the helm. Getting off to a 1-0 start is always nice and Elon is a good football team. The passing game looks great after one game and the crowd was supportive and all promotions came off in a positive manner. Duke was able to play a lot of players which will bode well for the future. Duke had some young guys shine.
The bad
Duke had opportunities to put the Phoenix away but allowed them to hang in the game when the offense stalled via mistakes. The Duke defense let up a whopping 400 plus yards and they could not stop Elon in the fourth quarter which is a concern. The punting game was so-so and a missed field goal is concerning
The ugly
The third quarter was atrocious for Duke and they cannot afford that kind of a drop off versus Wake. The Blue Devils came out a bit passive and that allowed the Phoenix to gain confidence and cut the lead to 27-20.
The bottom line
There were plenty of positives for Duke as has been mentioned but the defensive effort will have to improve if there is any chance of a win over Wake Forest in Winston Salem this week. Bare in mind that Duke did not show their hand on offense and kept it close to the vest at times trying to establish a running game. Duke responded to adversity when the lead was cut to one score by getting it done on offense. The bottom line is Duke is 1-0.
Next play
Duke will now travel to Wake Forest who has defeated the Blue Devils ten straight times. Coach Cutcliffe keeps some game balls in his office and this is one of those wins which would mean another one on the shelf. It is oh-so important to get a conference win for both schools and a shootout may be in store.
Just press play!
DURHAM - The Duke Blue Devils got off to a 1-0 start in the 2010 season with a 41-27 win over a pesky Elon team. Duke raced out to a 27-13 lead to end the first half but came out flat in the third quarter allowing the Phoenix to close within a touchdown before the Blue Devils got their confidence back and secured the victory.
It was a show of two good quarterbacks as Elon's Scott Riddle riddled the Duke defense going 22-42 for 281 yards and two touchdowns. Elon also gained 400 plus yards on offense against the Duke defenders. Riddle scampered for 11 yards early in the 4th quarter cutting Duke's lead to 27-20, but the Blue Devils would answer.
Sean Renfree helped take Duke on a 67 yard drive capped off by a 3 yard touchdown run by true freshman Josh Snead giving Duke a 34-20 advantage. Renfree was 31 of 39 for the game which translated into 350 yards and 2 touchdowns. Ten of his passes went to Conner Vernon who ended the game with 129 yards in receptions.
"In the air, we knew what we had to do and went out there and executed," said Vernon.
After a Duke defensive stand, the Blue Devils scored on a time consuming 26 yard drive where Jay Hollingsworth got the score on a one yard run up the gut giving the home team a 41-20 lead.
Elon would score again on a 79 yard drive cutting the lead to 14, but Duke ran out the clock after a 48 yard scamper by true freshman quarterback Brandon Connette to secure the win.
Desmond Scott led the team in rushing with 77 yards for a 5.1 and Duke had seven players rush the ball which meant they were able to play a lot of people. Duke put up 542 yards of total offense which is the most in the Cutcliffe era. Duke had three rushing touchdowns which is more than game last season where two touchdowns was tops.
We'll have another game recap on Sunday, so stay tuned and we should have Coach David Cutcliffe's comments up shortly.
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