Category Archives: Duke Football

Duke Football

Vince Oghobaase named to Shriner’s All Star Game

Vince celebrates a sack - BDN Photo
Vince celebrates a sack - BDN Photo

DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke redshirt senior defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase has been selected to play in the 85th East-West Shrine Game on January 23, 2010 in Orlando, Fla.  The contest will kick off at 3 p.m. and be televised live by ESPN2.

A 6-5, 305-pound native of Houston, Texas, Oghobaase has played in and started 42 games for the Blue Devils over the past three-plus seasons.  An All-ACC pick in 2008, his career totals of 13.0 quarterback sacks and 34.5 tackles for loss rank fifth and seventh, respectfully, on Duke's all-time charts.  In 2009, Oghobaase has been credited with 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks as the Blue Devil defense ranks fourth in the ACC and 33rd nationally in total defense.
Oghobaase becomes the 35th Duke player to be chosen for the East-West Shrine Game, joining Elmore Hackney (1937), Ace Parker (1937), George McAfee (1938), Willard Perdue (1938), Tony Ruffa (1940), Ernest Beamer (1943), Al DeRogatis (1948), Bob Pascal (1955), Sonny Sorrell (1955), Wray Carlton (1958), Mike McGee (1959), Jack Wilson (1961), Jay Wilkinson (1963), Mike Murphy (1967), Wes Chesson (1970), Leo Hart (1970), Steve Jones (1972), Ed Newman (1972), Dave Meier (1975), Billy Bryan (1976), Mike Sandusky (1977), Lyman Smith (1977), Carl McGee (1978), Chris Castor (1982), Phil Ebinger (1983), Mike Junkin (1986), Dave Colonna (1989), Robert Baldwin (1994), Ray Farmer (1995), Tawambi Settles (1997), Ryan Fowler (2003), Drew Strojny (2003), Alex Green (2005) and Michael Tauiliili (2008).
Oghobaase joins an elite list of football greats, such as John Elway, Tom Brady, Brett Favre, and 62 NFL Hall of Famers, who have played in the
East-West Shrine Game, America’s longest-running college all-star football game.
“The East-West Shrine Game has always fielded players among college football’s best,” said East-West Shrine Game Executive Director Jack Hart. “With all 32 NFL teams represented by GMs, coaches and scouts during game week, our players have the terrific opportunity to showcase their talents and get their first glimpse of life in the NFL … ‘Just Like on Sunday.’”
While the teams are divided by East and West, the players come together for the beneficiary of the event, Shriners Hospitals for Children, an international pediatric specialty health care system.
“We hope our supporters all over the country will come out and enjoy this exciting game,” said Douglas E. Maxwell, president and CEO of Shriners Hospitals for Children. “Our health care system depends on the generosity of our supporters, and this game is one of our signature events – all proceeds benefit Shriners Hospitals for Children.”
Duke Football

BDN Previews Duke at North Carolina

helkmetSCOUTING THE BLUE DEVILS

Last time out

Duke defeated Virginia in Charlottesville, 28-17 last Saturday. Thad Lewis, Will Snyderwine, and Conner Vernon were named ACC Players of the Week for their efforts in the victory. Lewis completed 24/40 passes for 343 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown to freshman Conner Vernon. The touchdown strike came against a strong pas rush during a crucial 4th quarter drive, putting Duke up 18-17 with 3:45 to play. Vernon finished with 7 catches and 103 yards to match his high school teammate, Donovan Varner, who finished with 7 catches and 113 yards. Despite the statistics, the Blue Devils’ passing attack was constantly challenged by the talented Cavaliers’ secondary, and it was Nick Snyderwine who accounted for much of the Blue Devils’ scoring, including three first half field goals of 44, 28, and 34 yards. In a fitting conclusion, Snyderwine connected on his fifth field goal of the day, from 43 yards out, to seal the 28-17 win.

The Duke defense was again the unsung hero, holding the Virginia offense to 196 total yards. The Virginia rushing attack was never able to gather momentum, forcing the ball into quarterback Jameel Sewell’s hands on key downs. The Blue Devils were able to pressure Sewell into poor throws in the windy conditions, holding the Cavaliers to 4 of 16 on third downs. The defense sealed the win with a forced fumble recovery for a touchdown late in the 4th quarter.

SCOUTING THE TAR HEELS

Last time out

North Carolina pulled off the improbable upset at Lane Stadium last Thursday night, 20-17. Kicker Casey Barth connected on a 21-yard field goal as time expired to give the Tar Heels the victory. As has been the case all season for North Carolina, the Tar Heel defense was dominant, holding Virginia Tech to 11 first downs and just 95 rushing yards (2.9 yards per carry). The Hokies were held scoreless in the first half, and 2 second half touchdowns by Tyrod Taylor proved to be too little, too late. Quarterback T.J. Yates and a balanced North Carolina rushing attack were good enough to control the clock in the second half, culminating in Barth’s game-ending field goal. The rushing attack, led by Shaun Draughn and Ryan Houston, totaled 181 yards on 42 attempts.

Season

It has been an up and down season for the Tar Heels. Initially ranked in the top 25 with a 3-0 start, the Tar Heels then opened their ACC season with three conference losses to Georgia Tech, Virginia, and Florida State. The Tar Heel offense has struggled this season, relying on the defense to keep the team in games, and in some cases, win them, as was the case with a late fourth quarter safety in a 12-10 win at Connecticut.

After a devastating collapse to Florida State at home on national television, however, the Tar Heels responded with an impressive showing last week at Virginia Tech. They will look to continue their winning ways this weekend against the Blue Devils. Offensive coordinator John Shoop was able to get the ball to his playmakers, namely Greg Little, Shaun Draughn, and Ryan Houston, on key plays at Virginia Tech. Against the Blue Devils, expect a heavy dose of Draughn and Houston, with Little mixed in for his big play potential.

Injuries

Senior LB Abraham Kromah is listed as questionable for the Blue Devils. CB Lee Butler is expected to return after missing last Saturday’s game. Of note, senior RB Re’quan Boyette was not listed on the injury report for the first time this season.

Carolina has been hit with injuries throughout the season; depth will be a concern for both teams at several key positions.

Trends and numbers

For the first time in a long time, both Duke and Carolina enter this game with winning records of 5-3. At 3-1, Duke controls its own destiny in the ACC Coastal Division and can set up a first-place showdown with Georgia Tech with a win in Chapel Hill.

UNC has won 18 out of 19 in the series. Duke’s last win was in 2003.

UNC defeated Duke 28-20 in Wallace Wade Stadium last season, capping off David Cutcliffe’s first year at Duke with a 4-8 record. The Tar Heels went on to lose to West Virginia in the Meineke Car Care Bowl.

Thad Lewis has thrown for over 300 yards in 4 straight games. Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon have both had 2 consecutive 100-yard receiving games.

The Blue Devils have scored first in their last 6 games, including four scores on their opening drives. A fast start in a hostile road environment will be important for the Blue Devil offense.

Closing Thoughts

The greatest rivalry in sports takes to the gridiron this Saturday in Chapel Hill. For the second straight week, the Blue Devils’ high-flying passing attack will face a stiff test in the Tar Heel defense. Last week, the Blue Devils were able to find the end zone when it mattered, and will have to do the same against a terrific Carolina pass rush. The Blue Devil defense will have to continue to make big plays, keeping the ball out of the hands of the Tar Heel playmakers, by limiting the running lanes for Draughn, Houston, and Little. If you can’t make it to Chapel Hill this weekend, be sure to catch all 4 quarters on ESPNU, as this latest matchup in the classic rivalry is likely to go down to the wire.

Duke Football

Chick-fil-A Bowl will check out Duke and UNC this weekend

Can the Blue Devils celebrate as underdogs against UNC's athletic defense?
Can the Blue Devils celebrate as underdogs against UNC's athletic defense?

(Special to Blue Devil Nation) ATLANTA (November 4, 2009) – Chick-fil-A Bowl representative Tilden Martin will visit Kenan Stadium in Chapel Hill, N.C. on Saturday to scout the Duke-North Carolina game. The two teams are being scouted as potential representatives in the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl on Dec. 31.

The ACC and SEC team selections for the 42nd edition of the Bowl will be announced on Sunday, Dec. 6. The Chick-fil-A Bowl is the oldest guaranteed ACC vs. SEC match-up in the bowl business.

By defeating Virginia last weekend, Duke (5-3, 3-1) matched its highest conference win total in a decade and has its first bowl appearance since 1994 in sight. The Blue Devils’ current three-game win streak is also its best since 1994, and all of the recent victories have come against ACC foes. Quarterback Thaddeus Lewis fuels the resurgence, directing the ACC’s best pass offense (325.1 yds/gm) and cracking the national top ten in total pass yards (2,315). Duke is one of three current ACC schools (Wake Forest, Boston College) yet to appear in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

North Carolina (5-3, 1-3 ACC) improved its bowl stock with a 20-17 road win at Virginia Tech last Thursday and is closing in on back-to-back postseason berths for the first time in nearly a decade. The Tar Heels’ ACC-best rush defense (101.6 yds/gm) limited the run-heavy Hokies to a mere 95 yards on the ground.  North Carolina has made five Chick-fil-A Bowl appearances, most recently defeating Auburn in 2001.

The Tar Heels hold a 56-35-4 historical edge over their Tobacco Road rivals, and a 28-20 win last season was their 18th over Duke in the last 19 meetings. Saturday’s game kicks off at 3:30 p.m. and will air on ESPNU.

The Chick-fil-A Bowl is the ninth-oldest bowl game in the country and hosts the longest-running rivalry series between the ACC and SEC. Now in its 42nd year, the Chick-fil-A Bowl has established itself as one of the nation’s elite bowl games with a string of 12 consecutive sellouts and has earned a reputation as one of the most competitive bowls in the nation. Ten of the last 17 games have been decided by a touchdown or less. The Chick-fil-A Bowl has disbursed more than $90 million in team payouts over its 41-year history and has increased team payout every year since 1996. The Bowl also leads all other bowl games in charitable and scholarship contributions, giving more than $1.2 million to organizations in need in 2008 alone.

- www.Chick-fil-ABowl.com -

Duke Football

BDN Audio – Standout freshman wideout Conner Vernon opens up to the media

Duke freshman Conner Vernon is having a heck of rookie season
Duke freshman Conner Vernon is having a heck of rookie season

Durham, N.C. - It's not that often that a freshman can step on the football field and produce record numbers in their first season.  Conner Vernon is an exception.  Coming off another great performance against Virginia where he caught a key touchdown pass, Vernon addressed the media for the first time this season during Duke's weekly press conference.

Vernon leads the ACC in catches and is third in yards per game, but let's not forget that he is third in the league in touchdown receptions as well.  There is more - Conner is the second leading reciever in the NCAA among freshman in both receptions and yards per game.  Want more?  Vernon already has the most receptions of any Duke freshman in history, he's 16 yards away from passing Walter Jones [ex New England Patriot] and his 128 yard game versus Virginia Tech is the fourth most yards of any true freshman.

Vernon talked of how he ended up at Duke, the upcoming UNC game and handling expectations just an hour ago and you can hear his comments for yourself thanks to BDN Audio.  It's worth noting that Cutcliffe said he has never coached a freshman that put up these kind of numbers and said Vernon could well make some All ACC teams based on performance.  Enjoy the chat -