Matt Daniels will likely be the starting right safety for the Duke Blue Devils in just his second season. Daniels took the time to talk with Blue Devil Nation and we'd like to share his thoughts with you.
What is different when preparing for the 2009 football season?
This year I will be more of a leader because last season we had more seniors. So, I feel like I have to step up and be a leader. I'm just going to bring a lot of effort and energy and keep everybody on the field hyped and ready to play.
With the losses in the secondary, do you have people ready to step up?
Oh yeah, big time. We have Jordan Bias coming in, a redshirt freshman. He's been making a lot of plays in practice and the spring game. We look for a lot of big things out of him. Then there's Catron Gainey, he's doing good. We are a little weak at cornerback, Leon [Wright], he's hurt. Since we had so many people hurt, a lot of guys are starting to step up.
You've seen the offense this spring and you saw last season's. What are your thoughts on the differences?
Last year we lost a lot of key players, we lost Eron Riley, but Austin Kelly was playing slot last year and he's really making strides. And we have Donovan Varner coming in and, oh, man, with those two it's something serious. And we have Brandon King coming back. He's a key component that we missed last year and Huff.
... and the toughest guy to tackle is?
Aw man, Patrick Kurunwune ... man, he runs hard with those big thighs and keeps his feet churning. I really like the way he runs and he keeps his path low.
... the toughest to cover?
Aw man, it's between Johnny [Williams] and Varner [Donovan]. Don is like real quick, bam, bam, bam, he'll give you a head fake. Johnny, on the other hand, he'll beat you off the line and then there is AK [Austin Kelly], he's real smooth, so it's hard to tell which one is the hardest to cover.
You guys are really young. You are really young and already playing. Do you see this as a positive down the road?
I definitely think it's a positive because the more young people we have, the more it's going to be like a group and we'll keep things going. At the same time, we have some key seniors like Vinnie Rey who we really look up to, but the young bucks are really starting to come along and the coaches are showing us what it means to be a part of Duke Football.
The Blue Devil Nation will be reporting on the spring game and football in general in the coming days. Here is a gallery from the event which is best viewed as a slide show.
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
Steve Brooks, David Cutcliffe and Bob Pascal - BDN Photo
Be sure to attend Saturday's Spring Football Game and check back into the Blue Devil Nation for coverage of today's announcement and the game.
DURHAM, N.C. — Duke head coach David Cutcliffe announced on Friday a combined commitment of $10 million to the Blue Devil football program from Steve Brooks and Bob Pascal.
The donation will be used to enhance Duke’s facilities including outdoor practice fields, the visiting team lockerroom and a fieldhouse featuring a full length practice field. In addition to having a dynamic impact on the football program, the indoor facility will significantly augment the school’s Health, Physical Education and Recreation Department where over 5,000 students participate in club and intramural sports annually.
"Duke University, and the football program in particular, is grateful to have the tremendous support of Steve Brooks and Bob Pascal," Cutcliffe said. "Their generosity to our program is paralleled only by the Yoh family. We are proud to call Steve and Bob members of the Duke football family. The maxim for our program is the "Pursuit of Excellence", and certainly Steve and Bob exemplify that motto themselves. This financial commitment, especially considering the current state of the economy, is truly remarkable and speaks volumes to their loyalty and passion for Duke. This is a great day for Duke football."
A native of Atlanta, Ga., who currently resides in Pinecrest, Fla., Brooks entered Duke in 1966 (Class of T’70) served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a pilot, including 13 months in Vietnam. Following his military service, he received a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University. Brooks serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Phoenix American Insurance Group. He and his wife, Eileen, have two children, Matt and Steven. Matt, a four-year football letterman (2001-04) at Duke, ranks ninth on the school’s all-time list for field goals (19) including a career-long 53-yarder on the game’s final snap in the Blue Devils’ 16-13 triumph over Clemson on November 13, 2004. Steve currently serves on the Athletics Advisory Board and the Duke Law School Board.
"We believe this is the perfect time to invest further in Duke football," Brooks said. "We have the right coach in David Cutcliffe, the right Athletic Director in Kevin White, great student-athletes, and strong support from the schools’ administration and Board of Trustees. We as a family have been blessed and are proud to be able to make this gift to Duke."
A native of Bloomfield, N.J., and current resident of Easton, Md., Pascal is a 1956 graduate of Duke and the owner of the Pascal Group. He has four daughters, Catherine Anne, Margaret, Clara and Robin. Catherine Anne is a 1979 Duke graduate. A standout on the gridiron at Duke from 1953-55, Pascal was a two-time first team All-ACC pick (1954-55) and first team All-America selection (1955). He helped the Blue Devils to a three-year record of 20-8-3 including three ACC championships and a 34-7 win over Nebraska in the Orange Bowl on January 1, 1955. Pascal, who served as a Maryland State Senator (1970-74) and Anne Arundel County Executive (1974-82), rushed for 1,523 career yards with 19 touchdowns and was a third round pick of the Baltimore Colts in the 1956 NFL Draft.
"The athletic and academic experience I received at Duke was a tremendous boost to my confidence to take on life’s challenges after I graduated," Pascal said. "Growing up, a Duke education was prestigious; just as it is presently. This commitment is a way for me to repay the debt, and to hopefully enable future generations of student-athletes the opportunity to have the Duke experience."
Duke will hold its annual Spring Game tomorrow at 1 p.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium. Admission to the game is free of charge.
Greg Paulus held a media conference today earlier this morning to discuss his future this morning. Here is a large portion of that session -
Where do you stand at this point and time?
My stance at this time is that I am looking at some different opportunities. There a some opportunities out there involving football and basketball. Right now I am trying to get as much information on those situations as possible. Take it step by step in the process and try to figure out what the best thing for me to do for my future.
When did you start to think about football? Was it during the basketball season?
No, it wasn't. During the season it was always about basketball and Duke and how we could make a run at the tournament. A few weeks after the season I received some interest from a few people which got me thinking and out there throwing the ball a little bit. And that's what kind of sparked it.
You went to Michigan -
I did go to Michigan the other day. I do not have anything set up f or another visit right now. There could be down the road. I am trying to gather information on different schools or options. I do not have any visits set in stone.
On his relationship with Coach Greg Robinson and if that played a factor -
You know, I do have a good relationship with Coach Robinson. When I was back home in Syracuse I had some friend on the teams anjd went back to practices. I didn't have any communication from him until I got up to Michigan. I had a chance to speak with him and catch up a little bit. But that was the first communication with Coach Robinson.
Has it been expressed by Michigan that you are welcome to join?
[brief pause] You know what, I had a great visit with them yesterday and both Michigan and myself are just trying to learn about each other and feel out the situation. It's one thing to talk on the phone but another thing to spend a day on the campus and build a relationship with the coaching staff. But there has been an opportunity given there.
On the possibility of playing at Syracuse -
In reference to Syracuse, I obviously love Syracuse and have lived there a long time, it's home and there has been some interest and something I am looking into. There is nothing set in stone about a visit but I am interested.
On the Green Bay Packers -
A couple of days after the season ended for basketball, there was some interest from the Green Bay Packers and we got in touch and set up some workouts. Communication came through and that was when I started to throw again. It was a lot of fun to throw the football around and it was a great opportunity the Green Bay Packers offered And everyday I went out there and threw it got better and better each day.
On NCAA rules and where and when he can play -
Yeah, there is a number of rules we are trying to follow. I will graduate in May, which is Mothers Day weekend. I am really glad to graduate with some of the opportunities that have presented itself, whether that it with another university, there is different things you have to look into. There is another year of eligibility for me. The research I am doing is pretty extensive and I find the process exciting. It would have to be a Division 1-A program but it cannot be 1-AA.
On other universities -
Yeah, yeah. There has been some other interest from the universities and other teams and it's something where I am in the process of building a relationship with those involved. There are options out there and I am listening to them and trying to learn about those opportunities when they present themselves.
So you will have to play this season and cannot sit out?
That is correct yes.
How may coaches have been in touch?
There have been several other schools that have been in contact. I do not feel comfortable naming them at this point.
How important is it to find a situation where you will play right away?
I think one of the things when looking at a situation involving a school is that you want to help the program. You want an opportunity if you help them to go to grad school. I think that having an opportunity to compete and play right away is very attractive to me. If this is the route chosen, I think that will be a major factor.
Has there bee contact from other NFL teams?
There has been several other contacts from the NFL. Once again, I don't feel comfortable naming those, but there has been several other teams who have been in contact or called.
Any workouts planned?
We are in the process of trying to gather the information to work something out. If there is an NFL team that calls and wants to see me throw. I'll be glad to get out there and show them what I can do.
On the Blue Devils offer to play wideout -
You know what, I'm a huge, huge fan of Coach Cutcliffe. I am a big fan of him and what he is doing and have a lot of friends on the team. If I play the game of football, I can only see myself as a quarterback and that's one of things I want to do if that is the best option and in my heart that's what I want to do - be a quarterback.
On the media interest -
I'm a little surprised. There have been some really great opportunities that have come up in the last couple of weeks and I am very appreciative of all those things which have come my way. I know that the Duke coaching staff here and some other people. It's an honor to have an opportunity to continue to play and kind of keep that going. It's been a dream not only to play Duke Basketball but continue towards a professional level. If you could being the professional ranks would be another dream come true. To have all these opportunities is very exciting and I feel fortunate because of them. So it is surprising but it's also exciting.
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DURHAM, N.C. – Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe announced on Wednesday the rosters for the upcoming Spring Game slated for Saturday, April 18 at 1 p.m. at Wallace Wade Stadium.
The 2009 Spring Game will pit Duke’s first team offense with the second team defense (Blue team) against the first team defense and second team offense (White team).
The Blue squad features running back Re'quan Boyette, quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, cornerback Leon Wright and wide receiver Johnny Williams. Boyette led Duke in rushing in both 2006 and 2007 before missing the entire 2008 season due to injury while Lewis, a three-year starter under center for the Blue Devils, was an All-ACC pick last fall after throwing for 2,171 yards and 15 touchdowns. Wright, who missed the final six games of the 2008 campaign due to injury, has career totals of 97 tackles, five interceptions and 12 pass break-ups while Williams hauled in 30 passes for 327 yards as a rookie in 2008.
The Blue unit also boasts returning starting offensive linemen Kyle Hill and Bryan Morgan, running back Jay Hollingsworth (Team-high 399 rushing yards in 2008), nose guard Kinney Rucker (21 tackles in 2008) and wide receiver Donovan Varner (21 receptions for 164 yards in 2008).
The White team is led by running back Tony Jackson, defensive end Ayanga Okpokowuruk, linebacker Vincent Rey and cornerback Chris Rwabukamba. Jackson accumulated 380 all-purpose yards last fall while Okpokowuruk had season totals of 29 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 quarterback sacks last year. Rey secured 109 tackles in 2008 and added 10.5 tackles for loss, one interception and two fumble returns for touchdowns while Rwabukamba had 26 tackles and one interception.
The White squad also includes defensive end Patrick Egboh (25 tackles in 2008), wide receiver Austin Kelly (13 receptions for 142 yards in 2008), defensive end Wesley Oglesby (54 tackles & 8.5 TFL in career) and quarterback Sean Renfree.
Spring Game festivities begin on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. with the annual Junior Blue Devil Club Day registration. This event is open to all current members for free while other kids aged (5-15) may participate for $5. To register go to www.dukepromo.com. At 11:00 a.m., the Duke team will participate in the Blue Devil Walk from the Duke Chapel to the North End Zone of Wallace Wade Stadium. Pregame entertainment — featuring live music from Love Newton, BBQ lunch plates for $5, raffle drawings, face painting and inflatable games — begins at 11 a.m. on the stadium concourse.
Kickoff for the Spring Game is set for 1 p.m. Admission to the game is free of charge.
DURHAM, N.C. – Duke head football coach
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