Category Archives: Duke Football

Duke Football

Duke QB’s pace Saturday’s scrimmage

1DURHAM, N.C. -- Quarterbacks Thaddeus Lewis, Sean Renfree and Sean Schroeder combined to complete 25-of-39 passes for 240 yards to highlight Duke's 65-snap scrimmage on Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.
"There were some nice plays made offensively and there were some big hits and some nice plays made defensively," Duke head coach David Cutcliffe said following the scrimmage.  "It is going to be a great tape for us to study.  One area in particular that I'm interested in right now is where we are with our kicking game.  I was pleased with Thad (Lewis).  He's been hurt but looked somewhat full speed today and I really thought he did a nice job making plays."
Renfree threw for a team-high 93 yards by hitting on 11-of-18 throws while Lewis was seven-of-12 for 86 yards.  Schroeder was seven-of-nine through the air for 61 yards with one touchdown and one interception.  Schroeder's touchdown pass covered 10 yards and went to sophomore wide receiver Preston Scott.  Freshman running back Desmond Scott led all receivers with six catches for 39 yards while rookie wideout Conner Vernon had three grabs for 42 yards.
"I thought our passing  game, to the eye, was more crisp than what it was with the ones and the twos," Cutcliffe stated.
The Blue Devils had 12 completions cover 10 or more yards on the day.
On the ground, redshirt sophomore running back Cameron Jones picked up a scrimmage-best 49 yards on just three attempts while sophomore running back Jay Hollingsworth rushed four times for 28 yards including a one-yard scoring run.  Redshirt freshman Patrick Kurunwune contributed 32 yards on 10 carries while Desmond Scott added four carries for 25 yards.
"Desmond was busy, and was good," Cutcliffe said.  "He was more consistent than he's been and looked more comfortable with his assignments.  It was a good growth day for him."
Defensively, sophomore safety Matt Daniels caused and recovered one fumble while redshirt sophomore cornerback Colin Jones registered one interception.  Freshman defensive end Brandon Putnam chipped in one quarterback sack and one pass breakup.
Junior kicker Will Snyderwine booted a 27-yard field goal and successfully converted his lone PAT attempt.
Duke opens the 2009 season at home against Richmond on September 5.  Kickoff at Wallace Wade Stadium is set for 7 p.m.  Season and single-game tickets may be purchased online at GoDuke.com or by calling the Duke Athletic Ticket Office at 1-877-375-DUKE.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Passing: Sean Renfree 11-18, 93 yards; Thaddeus Lewis 7-12, 86 yards; Sean Schroder 7-9, 61 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Cameron Jones 3-49; Patrick Kurunwune 10-32; Jay Hollingsworth 4-28
Receiving: Desmond Scott 6-39; Conner Vernon 3-42; Donovan Varner 2-32; Brandon King 2-32
SCORING SUMMARY
Jay Hollingsworth 1 run (Will Snyderwine kick)
Will Snyderwine 27 FG
Preston Scott 10 pass from Sean Schroeder (Sean Schroeder pass failed)
Duke Football

Around the ACC: Basketball and Football updates

DukeWith Mychal Parker's verbal commitment, Coach Gary Williams is putting together some talent with the Class of 2010. Parker, ranked number 55 by scout.com, joins Terrance Ross (62) and Terrell Stoglin. Maryland is still in the running for Tobias Harris, C.J. Leslie, Roscoe Smith and Damontre Harris.

This Fayetteville Observer listing of the Top 50 prep football players in North Carolina is from last week, but a quick look at the names and schools they are considering shows the Duke Blue Devils continuing to improve their standing with in-state talent. Ten of the fifty players are either considering Duke or have already committed to the Blue Devils.  Go Duke has posted a synopsis of today's public scrimmage.  Freshman running back Desmond Scott had a nice day.

Boston College ran a 100 play practice that featured a sputtering offense. This Boston Globe article states, "Fumbles, sacks, and dropped passes were all on the play chart." The article also contains a breakdown of the ACC's bowl game deals.

In Atlanta, Coach Paul Johnson, in discussing Georgia Tech's Friday scrimmage, stated, "There were some guys who already took the weekend off before we got out there." This AJC article, has a brief look back at Duke's 2003 victory over the Ramblin' Wreck.

Injuries along the defensive line are becoming a concern for the Miami Hurricanes. Defensive ends Eric Moncur, Gavin Hardin, and Adewale Ojomo are all limited. The details are available from the Miami Herald.

Florida State Coach Bobby Bowden is optimistic about the upcoming season. In this article, from the Tallahassee Democrat, Bowden asks, "How close are we being to where we were in the '90s?" Click the link to read his answer.

Clemson wide receiver Jacoby Ford has been named to the Fred Biletnikoff watch list.

Duke Football

Quick Hitter – Lee Butler prepares for his sophomore season

Butler defends the ball in practice - BDN Photo
Butler defends in practice - BDN Photo

Do you feel more comfortable going into your second season under Cutcliffe?

I feel a lot more comfortable.  I'm better prepared and stronger than I was and I run to the ball better

Your brother Lex  joins the team this season.  What's it like to have him practicing and playing with you?

It's not a major difference because I am a sophomore and on another side of campus.  I was use to just calling him at home, but now that he's here.  I can just go over and talk to him.

Do you still remind him that's he's a freshman?

Yeah, yeah.  I tell him that all the time. [smiling]

Whats it been like to up against freshman wideouts Conner Vernon and Tyree Watkins?

They're not guys that you can just go up to the line and beat down.  They are going to give you some movement at the line and are pretty good athletes.

Are you watching film and prepping for Richmond?

We're starting to work a little bit on their schemes.  We'll turn our attention to them completely very soon.

Duke Football

Meet the Devils Day and scrimmage this Saturday

BDN Photo
BDN Photo

DURHAM, N.C. -- Changes have been made to the Duke football program's Meet the Blue Devils Day scheduled for Saturday afternoon at Wallace Wade Stadium.

The festivities will begin at 3 p.m. with inflatable games and live music on the stadium concourse.  The Blue Devils will participate in a scrimmage beginning at 4 p.m., with head coach David Cutcliffe speaking to the crowd following the scrimmage.  Fans also will have the opportunity to enter raffle drawings to win prizes.
The event and prizes are sponsored by Andy’s Burgers Shakes and Fries, Delta Air Lines, Duke Federal Credit Union, Duke ISP Sports, Duke Stores, Durham Coca-Cola Bottling Company, Gatorade, GoDuke The Magazine, Herald-Sun and Time Warner Cable.

The Blue Devils open the season at home versus Richmond on Saturday, September 5.  Kickoff at Wallace Wade Stadium is set for 7 p.m.  Season and single-game tickets may be purchased online at www.GoDuke.com or by calling the Duke Athletic Ticket Office at 877-375-DUKE.