Category Archives: Duke Football

Duke Football Coach David Cutcliffe talks of spring practice and the coming season

Coach David Cutcliffe and the football program has the support of Duke Athletic Director Kevin White.  Coach Cutcliffe encourages fans to turn out for the annual spring football game on April the 18th.
Coach David Cutcliffe and the football program has the support of Duke Athletic Director Kevin White. Coach Cutcliffe encourages fans to turn out for the annual spring football game on April the 18th.

Coach David Cutcliffe has made his way out through the dew-covered turf at Wallace Wade Stadium to spring practice several times in the past couple of weeks.  As he makes that stroll each crisp spring morning, signs of change are in the backdrop.  Construction workers are going at it early on both ends of Wade and, just behind the practice field itself, a visitors locker room is being erected.

But the construction doesn't stop there for it is happening on the field as well.  Cutcliffe is now in his second year as coach of the Blue Devils and, like the construction crews, he has to tear down and build.

When Cutcliffe arrived in Durham, it was his job to demolish the old way of thinking around Duke Football.  He assembled the best support staff in Duke Football history and then they immediately hit the road recruiting.  After that, he led the win-thirsty Blue Devil Football program to four victories, but he didn't stop there.

To this day, Cutcliffe has demanded a work ethic from his players and he's been unafraid to challenge the fan base and those who can get the ball rolling on much needed changes to Wallace Wade Stadium and the football program in general.

"We're continuing to work on changing the atmosphere around the football program and we will not stop until that task is finished," stated Cutcliffe before last season began.

Cutcliffe has held to his promise thus far and he is making strides to build a program, not just a winning season.  That kind of change takes time, but there is little doubt that Duke is finally on the right track and that football is once again exciting.

The Blue Devils suffered some key senior losses and must break in a lot of young players this spring.  A quick look up and down the roster and then adding the incoming players clearly shows that Duke is one of the youngest, if not the youngest, teams in the  ACC.

"We're so much further ahead than where we were last year,  it's like night and day.  Not a lot of numbers (players), but sometimes that's a good thing with a lot of young guys getting reps.  It's been one of the more energetic springs I have been around.  We are a faster football team on both sides of the ball.  That's one of the things we felt like was key.  Our conditioning level is excellent, which has allowed us to work hard," said Cutcliffe when questioned as to how spring practice had been going.

Coach Cutcliffe had also mentioned earlier this spring that, despite the losses and the youth replacing them, this looked like a football team.  Perhaps he was referring to what the team looked like when he came in last year, for he more or less said they were fat and lazy -- or perhaps out of shape is a kinder term.  I asked Cutcliffe if he could elaborate on what he meant when he said we looked like a football team and he replied -

"Just the overall fitness, bending our legs, playing lower, using our hands better - things that a football coach would look for.  I don't want to confuse that statement with we are ready to take on the world, but it's starting to really look like football and when you can compete and the energy level is as high as it is it has that feel and sound at football."

Cutcliffe is still well aware that his team must replace some key components, especially on the offensive line.

"We have a lot of work to do, obviously, in replacing three starters in the offensive line.  That's obviously a work in progress, as is replacing Eron Riley."

Despite those areas of concern, Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis recently told the Blue Devil Nation that the receivers had made good strides.  That is good to hear from the senior who will lead the offense.  But it was a player on the defensive side of the ball who said good things about the offensive line.

"Those guys are working really hard," said Duke linebacker Vinnie Rey.  He continued, "Sometimes they get a pancake on us and sometimes we knock them back, but they are coming along."

When Cutcliffe was asked about Vinnie Rey and what he meant to this years team he stated -

"Vinnie Rey has had a great spring - Vinnie is our leader.  He is our passionate and vocal and work leader and not just with our defense but with our football team."

Another concern is the secondary where Duke has some bodies but needs players to step up and claim the position with their play.

"We are still trying to deal with the secondary.  I see some growth but, unfortunately, Leon [Wright] has been out with his hamstring again.  That's allowed Zach Greene, Lee Butler, Colin Jones and Chris Rawakamba to get some work in.  At safety, Matt Daniels is an extremely talented youngster and we've just got to take our execution to another level.  We also have Byas and, of course, Catron Gainey is in there as well.  The experiment with Greene has been slowed due to his injured ankle, so it's hard to evaluate there.  But this does let us evaluate where we are and, hopefully, we will find some freshman help when we get here in the Fall, but we are not counting on that.  Instead, we are trying to get with the squad we have here currently," said Cutcliffe

Last season the tight end position had little depth due to injury, but this season the position could prove to be a strength and may be the most improved unit.

"Seeing Brandon King and Huff back healthy and Danny Parker who has had back problems all fall is healthy is positive for the position.  Getting Ryan Hall in early has been a big plus, so it is a position that could be a strength for us and I think it will be."

The Blue Devils have a few more practices before they go to the summer break and that means the spring game which will kick off on April 18th is just around the corner.  BDN asked Cutcliffe about that game.

"I'm looking forward to the spring game but I am kind of wondering what the format is that I want to use.  With the squad as small as it is, we may not be able to have a standard spring game, but I am still thinking about that and we'll send a release out to our fans soon.  We had a great crowd last year and I am expecting a good crowd this year with alumni weekend being the same weekend.  I am really anxious to get a huge crowd out here.  We are going to make it fun and I can promise you it will look like football."

You can find out more information on this game by going to GoDuke.com and it would be nice to see a big turnout for the affair.  In closing our chat, I asked Coach Cutcliffe if he had a message for the Blue Devil Nation [Duke fans] and the coach said without hesitation -

"I would tell the Duke fans the same thing I would tell our players in that this is year two.  Anything we did including our fan support was awesome for year one, but isn't good enough for year two.  Everybody needs to step up.  This football program needs to step up and we will, but our fans need to step up.  We need to break season ticket sales, we need to have a full stadium from the corners all the way to the bottom.  It's time to go ... what are we waiting on?  This is good football here and we're really excited and ready to start this thing."

Duke Spring Football Practice – Vinnie Rey is ready to bring it

2009 Season Ticket Packages are on sale at GoDuke.com
2009 Season Ticket Packages are on sale at GoDuke.com

When you are talking about the Duke defense in 2009, you can start with Vinnie Rey.  The senior linebacker is ready to bring it to the field this season and will be counted on to ease the loss of All ACC teammate Michael Tauiliili.  Rey was a defensive star last season for the Blue Devils and at times is a tackling machine.  Blue Devil Nation took in spring practice and was able to talk with Rey and get his thoughts on the linebacking unit and more -

Coach Cutcliffe just said that he sees you stepping up on this team and being a leader.  What are your thoughts on that?

In terms of being a vocal leader, that just comes with confidence.  It means watching film and listening to what Coach wants and carry that to the field.  We have other linebackers that are leaders like Damian Thornton, Abraham Kromah and Adam Banks.   We watch a lot of film and we are working a lot and that brings confidence that allows us to play fast and be vocal on the field.  That's from Coach Mac [Macintyre], he teaches us to do these things.  Personally, I feel a lot more confident on the field.

This is your second year or spring under Coach Cut.

I feel that the difference from last year is there  is another step we have to take.  coaches are demanding a lot from us be it conditioning, playing fast, mental toughness on the field.  Even if you might be tired or hurt not to show that which is something I have to work on.  Just to be able to take the extra step and get better and better.

Some of the pundits are already saying the line backers could be a weak spot on defense.  What do you think of the guys you have been working with this spring?

Well, to tell you the truth, we feel we can be one of the best units in the ACC.  Our goal is to be the best bar none and it's all about bringing it every day which we continue to try and do.  Every day we bring the intensity to the field - we make some mistakes, but as long as the intensity is there you can build off that.  I don't see any reason why we can't be one of the best units on this team if not the best.

In the back of your mind are you already thinking about Richmond (home opener)?

(smiling) I do sometimes!  One of our quotes is we prepare for Saturday today ... Saturday in 2009.  We are thinking about them a little bit, but we are also thinking about stopping the guys on our offensive side in practice.  We have to think about going up against the offensive line and beating them every play.  How are we going to beat Richmond if we don't practice winning in practice?

Speaking of the offensive line, there were some major losses there.  What has it been like going up against those guys so far this spring?

We have had some battles with them.  I don't know that much about the trenches but toughness is a big issue.  They've knocked us on the ground sometimes getting pancakes on us, but we've knocked them back sometimes.  There has been some battles.  All this stuff about linebackers or the offensive line being a weakness - we don't even care, we just go out and work hard every day.  We'll see what happens when all is said and done.

Talk a little bit about your coaches ...

Coach Cu [Cutcliffe] t gives us several fundamental quotes and statements and we just go about it.  Coach [Mike] Macintyre?  He preaches hawking the ball.  We have a board in our meeting room which shows how many times you hawked the ball and if your numbers are bad on the board it's kind of embarrassing, so you want to get those numbers high.  That's an incentive to go out and hawk the ball every day.

And the bottom line is ...

We know how to work better.  We know how to bring it.  So, we bring it every day.  One thing Coach Cut always says is you are either going to get better or you are going to get worse and I feel that we are getting better every day.

Duke Football Spring Practice – Thaddeus Lewis interview

[private]

Duke Rising Senior Thad Lewis
Duke Rising Senior Thad Lewis

Duke Football is entering the stretch run of spring practice as they prepare for the 2009 season.  David Cutcliffe is in his second year as coach of the Blue Devils and he hopes that last season's strides will help in building a solid football program at Duke University.  Despite the shortage of bodies this spring, the atmosphere around practice prompted Cutciliffe to state, "We look like a football team."

The Duke staff returns intact, so the Blue Devils are showing the habits they learned last season early on this go round.  The Blue Devils' senior leader, Thaddeus Lewis, took the time to discuss how practices were going with the Blue Devil Nation.

Thad, you are in your second year of spring drills under Coach Cutcliffe.  Are there any differences this year?

We have a year of experience under our belt.  We know what Coach expects out of us and he will continue to pound that into us day in and day out.

What have you worked on in the off season?

I got together with the offensive team and went through the plays which helps us to get better.  We were young last year, so we did a lot of things in the off season so we would be prepared for spring and wouldn't look like a deer in the headlights.

There has been a lot of talk about the offensive line where Duke suffered some big losses and looks to rebuild.  What can you tell me about them as a unit?

The offensive line doesn't get a lot of the credit they deserve.  Those guys are working hard and getting a lot of little things corrected which helps them get better every day.   A lot of people don't know about them, but I work with those guys and they are very talented and very good.

Duke will have more depth at the tight end position this season.   What will that mean to you as a quarterback this season?

The tight end is the key to the offense.  They are the guys who can mix it up out there.  All those guys can block and catch.

What have Coach Roper and Cutcliffe talked to you about as practice has progressed?  What has their message been to you?

That I am a senior and they are looking for leadership out of me.  The biggest thing they want me to do is go out there and be consistent every day - not making the mistakes an experienced guy should make.  They want me to watch a lot of film and come back with questions in order to lead this offense and put us in the right position this year.

As a team, Duke suffered some huge losses.  Has there been anybody who has shown signs of stepping up and replacing a player like Michael Tauliliili?

We have guys like Vinnie Rey coming back and he will serve as a catalyst on the defense.  And [Vince] Oghobasse on the front line - they challenge the other guys who have a chance to play this year to work hard.  It's kind of tough to run the ball against those guys and that's what you like to see.

Are you already starting to think about Richmond [home opener]?

Definitely!  That's always in the back of your mind, but our main focus is on spring ball.  But I do remember my freshman year when they came in here and beat us 13-0.  So when you see them on the schedule, of course you think about it.  We will concentrate more on them in the summer.  Right now?  We are just working on getting our system down on both offense in defense.

Coach Cutcliffe mentioned earlier that the lack of bodies available for spring will make it difficult to do certain things ...

Well, with less players it's a lot easier for guys to cop out, but you see those guys try to go about it hard.  We get more depth with reps, so that can be an advantage.

From a quarterback's standpoint, what players have impressed you the most on the offensive end this spring?

The tight ends with guys like Danny Parker, Brett Huffman and Brandon King coming back have looked good.  All of the running backs have contributed, each and every one.  And the young wide receivers with Johnny [Williams], Austin [Kelly] ...  we have a lot of guys stepping up every time out.  I've been excited with how they are coming along.  I expected them to grasp it pretty fast, but they are doing a lot of things you wouldn't have expected right now.  We have improved as a football team this spring.[/private]

News on Waner, Henderson, Duke Football and McDonald’s All American Game

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We've been really busy with hoops recruiting of late and missed getting a bit of news out there. Here are some releases from Duke Sports Information -

Abby Waner To Participate In The State Farm Three-Point Championship

DURHAM, N.C.
Duke University senior Abby Waner has been selected one of eight senior student-athletes to participate in the 21st Annual State Farm College Slam Dunk and Three-Point Championships at the Palace of Auburn Hills on Thursday, April 2 in conjunction with the NCAA Men’s Basketball Final Four.

The contest will take place at 7:30 p.m., and then will air on ESPN from 9:00-11:00 p.m.

Waner, who is a product of Highlands Ranch, Colo., concluded her collegiate career as one of the top three-point shooters in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) history. A 5-11 guard, Waner registered 222 career treys over four years to rank 12th on the ACC charts and first in the Blue Devil history books. She became the first Duke player and eighth ACC player to register 45 or more three-pointers in four consecutive years. Her 691 career three-pointers attempted ranks seventh in ACC history and first at Duke. Not only did Waner hit three-pointers, but she was a great all-around student-athlete as she became the fifth player in ACC history to notch over 1,400 points, 400 rebounds, 400 assists and 300 steals. Waner was also a two-time ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District selection. A two-time Naismith National Player of the Year candidate, Waner received the 2009 Robin Roberts/WBCA Broadcasting Scholarship and was a finalist for the Lowe’s Senior Class Award in 2009. She is a three-time All-ACC Tournament first team selection. As a senior, Waner averaged 9.7 points, 3.5 assists, 3.1 rebounds and 2.7 steals, while registering 55 three-pointers made.

Season tickets are available by calling the Duke Athletic Ticket Office at 1-877-375-DUKE or by logging on to GoDuke.com.


Duke Athletics Tour Schedule Set

DURHAM, N.C. -- The second annual Duke Athletics Tour featuring head football coach David Cutcliffe has secured eight stops between April 18 and May 21.  The 2009 tour includes events in Charlotte (April 28), Asheville (April 29), Greenville (May 5), Richmond, Va. (May 6), Atlanta, Ga. (May 14), Sanford/Pinehurst (May 18), Greenville, S.C. (May 20) and Greensboro/High Point/Winston-Salem (May 21). All events are open to the public and will feature an autograph and photo opportunity with Cutcliffe, food and beverages and door prizes.

Dates for events in both Durham and Raleigh will be announced at a later time. "Last year's inaugural Duke Athletics Tour was a huge success," said Cutcliffe. "We're looking forward to spending time with our alumni and fans once again this spring."

For more information, please visit www.IronDukes.net or call Samantha Kozub (919-613-7554) or Whitney Dunlap (919-613-7557).

2009 DUKE ATHLETICS TOUR

CHARLOTTE, NC
April 28
5:30-7:00 pm
Blackfinn American Saloon
210 East Trade (Epicentre)
Charlotte, NC 28202

ASHEVILLE, NC
April 29
5:30-7:00 pm
Pack Place - The Forum
2 South Pack Square
Asheville, NC 28801

GREENVILLE, NC
May 5
5:30-7:00 pm
Ronald C. Michels Center
2335 Hemby Lane
Greenville, NC 27834

RICHMOND, VA
May 6
5:30-7:00 pm
Roslyn Conference Center
8727 River Road
Richmond, VA 23229

ATLANTA, GA
May 14
6:00-7:30 pm
Fox Sports Grill
261 19th Street
Atlanta, GA 30363

SANFORD/PINEHURST, NC
May 18
5:30-7:00 pm
The Barn
305 Rothney Avenue
Southern Pines, NC 28387

GREENVILLE, SC
May 20
5:30-7:00 pm
Wild Wing Cafe
15 West Washington Street
Greenville, SC 29601

GREENSBORO/HIGH POINT/WINSTON-SALEM, NC
May 21


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Henderson named All American

Wednesday, April 1

Henderson Named To 2009 Wooden All-American Team

LOS ANGELES - Junior Gerald Henderson was one of 11 players named to the 2009 John R. Wooden Award All-American Team as announced by the John R. Wooden Award Committee on Wednesday. Henderson picks up his third All-America honor of the season as he was also a second team selection by Foxsports.com and an Associated Press third team pick.

Henderson led the Blue Devils to a 30-7 record, the program's 11th ACC Championship and a trip to the NCAA Tournament Sweet Sixteen. He was tied for the team lead in scoring at 16.5 points per game, while also ranking second in rebounding (4.9 rpg.) and assists (91) and third in blocked shots (28) and steals (46). Henderson scored in double figures 31 times in 2008-09, including 11 games with 20 or more points scored.

A panel of more than 1,000 voters, comprised of sports media members and college basketball experts from around the nation, had until Monday to cast their votes, a long voting period that allowed voters to evaluate players up through games of the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament. Voters selected 10 players from the 24 student athletes listed on the ballot, and ranked them from 1 to 10. Wooden Award Voters were asked to take into account performance during the regular season and postseason through games last Sunday, as well as a player's character and academic performance, essential components of an outstanding player in the eyes of Coach John Wooden.

Because of a tie for 10th place in the voting, this year the Wooden All American Team consists of 11 players. The team in alphabetical order is DeJuan Blair (Pittsburgh), Stephen Curry (Davidson), Blake Griffin (Oklahoma), Tyler Hansbrough (North Carolina), Luke Harangody (Notre Dame), James Harden (Arizona State), Gerald Henderson (Duke), Ty Lawson (North Carolina), Hasheem Thabeet (Connecticut), Terrence Williams (Louisville) and Sam Young (Pittsburgh).

North Carolina and Pittsburgh both had two players selected to the team. The 2009 All American team features three seniors (Hansbrough, Williams and Young) five juniors, and three sophomores. The Big East tops the list with five Wooden All Americans, followed by the ACC with three. The Pac-10, Southern and Big 12 each have one representative.

Additionally, the top vote-getters and finalists for the Wooden Award, are invited to Los Angeles for the Wooden Award gala. The top finalists will be announced on Monday, April 6. The 2009 Award ceremony, which will include the presentation of the Men's and Women's Wooden Award winners, the Wooden Award All American Teams, and the Legends of Coaching Award to Rick Barnes of the University of Texas, will take place at The Los Angeles Athletic Club in Downtown Los Angeles on Friday, April 10th. The winners will receive a contribution from The Los Angeles Athletic Club for their university's general scholarship fund.

Men's 2009 Wooden Award All-American Team
DeJuan Blair Pittsburgh
Stephen Curry # Davidson
Blake Griffin Oklahoma
Tyler Hansbrough ! North Carolina
Luke Harangody # Notre Dame
James Harden Arizona State
Gerald Henderson Duke
Ty Lawson North Carolina
Hasheem Thabeet Connecticut
Terrence Williams Louisville
Sam Young Pittsburgh

! - 2008 Wooden Award Winner
# - 2008 Wooden All American Team

04/01/2009 - Associated Press

McDonald's All American Game

CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Duke commitments Ryan Kelly and Mason Plumlee showcased their talent at the 32nd annual McDonald’s High School All-American game on Wednesday at the Bank United Center in Coral Gables, Fla.

Kelly, who won the three point shootout on Monday, started for the East squad and helped lead them to a 113-110 victory over Plumlee’s West team. The 6’10” Raleigh native, who attends Ravenscroft School, finished the game with six points and two rebounds.

Plumlee, a 6’11 forward from Warsaw, Ind. currently attends the Christ School in Arden, N.C. He tallied six points, four rebounds, two assists, two blocked shots and one steal for the West squad. Plumlee’s three-point attempt at the buzzer that would have tied the game hit off the rim.

Kelly and Plumlee increase Duke’s total to 51 McDonald’s All-Americans. Blue Devils coach Mike Krzyzewski has coached all 49 of the previous selections, including current players Gerald Henderson, Greg Paulus, Jon Scheye, Kyle Single, Nolan Smit, Lance Thomas and Elliot William. Duke has had at least one participant in every McDonald’s All-American game since 1994.

All proceeds from the game will go to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of South Florida. Millions of dollars have been raised since the first Game was played in 1978. Every athlete who participated in the McDonald’s All American Game visited a local Ronald McDonald House in Miami earlier this week to experience first-hand how the games impact the local community.