Category Archives: Duke Football

[private]Coach David Cutcliffe and his staff turned up a jewel in soon to be freshman Walter Canty. If you haven't heard yet, Canty turned more than a few heads with his play in the North Carolina-South Carolina Shrine Bowl game where he was tabbed the MVP.

Here is another link on the games Defensive MVP and talks of the 118 yards creditied to Canty. Some knew Canty was a do it all athlete before the game even started. And in this link ESPN raves over his versatility where he even played quarterback.[/private]

Duke Football Coach David Cutcliffe gets a contract extension

December 21, 2008 Duke Sports Information

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DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke head football coach David Cutcliffe has signed a two-year extension that pushes his current contract through the 2015 season, Vice President and Director of Athletics Kevin White announced on Sunday.

Terms of the contract will not be released.

"Coach Cutcliffe has clearly established himself as an elite player within the entire college football coaching community," White said. "Without question, David is one of

Cutcliffe spends time with his youngest daughter during his initial signing day

the premier coaches in the country. Not surprisingly, in a relatively short period of time, David has implanted his strong and determined leadership all over the Duke football program.

"David has hired a phenomenal staff, and the efforts of the coaches have already paid dividends both on and off the field," continued White. "To be sure, David's unqualified commitment to the comprehensive development of the student-athlete, as well as to the mission of this highly unique University, underscores the fact that this is indeed yet another great day for Duke!"

"David Cutcliffe is a great coach, a great teacher and a great citizen of the University and the community," said Duke President Richard H. Brodhead. "He and his team have restored confidence and excitement in Duke football, and I look forward to his leadership on the field for a long time to come."

Hired on December 15, 2007, Cutcliffe guided the Blue Devils to a 4-8 record this past season -- equaling the victory total from Duke's previous four seasons combined -- while facing the second-toughest schedule in the nation and competing in the top conference in the country according to the Sagarin Ratings. The Blue Devils faced 10 bowl eligible teams along with the top-ranked FCS team in James Madison.

"I am grateful to Dr. Brodhead and Kevin for their confidence in our staff as we build on something really special here at Duke," Cutcliffe said. "As I have said many times

over the past year, Duke is a fantastic place with outstanding people, and we are thrilled to be a part of this institution."

Under Cutcliffe's direction, Duke showed significant improvement in all three phases in 2008. On offense, Duke bettered its totals in total offense (+32.7), rushing offense (+42.2) and sacks allowed (-23) from the previous campaign while quarterback Thaddeus Lewis and wide receiver Eron Riley both earned All-ACC honors. The defensive unit was led by All-America linebacker Michael Tauiliili and All-ACC defensive tackle Vince Oghobaase as the Blue Devils made marked improvement in scoring defense (-9.8), total defense (-67.4), rushing defense (-28.7) and passing defense (-38.7) and held three opponents to less than 10 points for the first time since 1976.

After making a combined seven-of-22 (.318) field goal attempts over the 2006-07 seasons, Blue Devil kickers booted 13-of-18 (.722) field goal attempts in 2008, posting the highest field goal success rate in a single-season at Duke since 1998. Nick Maggio (28-of-28) became just the third kicker in Duke history to make 25 or more PATs without a miss in a single season while punter Kevin Jones ranks third in the ACC in punting (40.8 avg.).

In addition, Duke saw an increase of 60 percent in season ticket sales for 2008 and had four home crowds of 30,000 or more fans for the first time in school history. Duke's average home attendance of 28,727 in 2008 was the largest since 1994.[/private]

Duke Football

Duke’s Michael Tauliliili Named 2nd Team All American

December 11, 2008 Duke Sports Information

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DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke senior linebacker Michael Tauiliili has been named Second Team All-America by the Walter Camp Foundation, the organization announced on Thursday evening.

"Given the history behind the Walter Camp Foundation, I know this is a prestigious honor," said Tauiliili. "I know it dates back a long time and it is

an honor and privilege to be named an All-America. I commed my coaches, teammates and everybody surrounding Duke football in helping me make the transition physically, mentally and emotionally from last season into the player I was this year."

auiliili, a 5-11, 235-pound native of Houston, Texas, becomes the first Duke linebacker to receive All-America honors since Mike Junkin was a second team selection in 1986. Other Blue Devil linebackers to garner All-America accolades include Bob Matheson (1st team in 1966), Dick Biddle (3rd team in 1970) and Keith Stoneback (3rd team in 1974). Tauiliili is Duke's first All-America choice overall since punter Brian Morton was honored with a second team citation following the 2000 campaign.

In 2008, Tauiliili led Duke in tackles (140), interceptions (4), pass breakups (5), quarterback pressures (5) and caused fumbles (3). His 140 stops led the ACC and matched the eighth-highest single-season total in school history. He added 13.0 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery and was a primary reason that Duke made significant improvement in scoring defense (-9.8), total defense (-67.4), rushing defense (-28.7) and passing defense (-38.7) while facing the second-most difficult schedule in the nation -- a ledger that included 10 bowl eligible teams and the top-ranked FCS squad in James Madison.

A First Team All-ACC selection this season, Tauiliili finished third in the league's Defensive Player of the Year voting after captaining a Duke defense that held three opponents to less than 10 points for the first time since 1976. He is the only linebacker in the ACC to rank among the league's top 10 players in four defensive statistical categories.

Tauiliili played 46 career games at Duke and finished with 434 tackles, 46.0 tackles for loss, 6.0 quarterback sacks, seven interceptions and eight pass breakups. On Duke's career charts, he ranks fourth in tackles and third in tackles for loss.[/private]

Duke Football

Tauiliili, Lewis, Riley garner All ACC honors

December 1, 2008 Mark Watson

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DURHAM, N.C. -- Headlined by first team selection Michael Tauiliili, four Duke players received All-ACC honors as the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association announced the 2008 Associated Press football all-conference teams.

Joining Tauiliili from Duke were second team choices Thaddeus Lewis and Eron Riley and honorable mention pick Vince Oghobaase.

A senior linebacker from Houston, Texas, Tauiliili finished the regular season with a conference-best 140 tackles and added 13.0 tackles for loss, four interceptions, five pass breakups, five quarterback pressures, three caused fumbles

and one fumble recovery. A two-time ACC Player of the Week pick and the Walter Camp National Defensive Player of the Week choice after Duke's 31-3 win over Virginia, Tauiliili is the only linebacker in the conference to rank among the top 10 in four different statistical categories. Tauiliili is the first Duke linebacker to earn first team all-conference honors since John Zuanich did so in 1994.

Oghobaase, a junior defensive tackle from Houston, Texas, posted 51 tackles, 9.0 tackles for loss and a team-high 6.0 quarterback sacks in 2008. All six of his sacks came in league play as he helped the Blue Devils hold three opponents to fewer than 10 points for the first time since 1976.

Oghobaase and Tauiliili were primary reasons that Duke made significant improvement in scoring defense (-9.8 points), total defense (-67.4 yards), rushing defense (-28.7 yards) and passing defense (-38.7 yards) while facing the 2nd most difficult schedule in the nation -- a ledger that included 10 bowl eligible teams and the top-ranked FCS squad in James Madison.

Lewis and Riley, who teamed up over the past three seasons to form the most prolific quarterback-wide receiver tandem in Duke football history, both received second team honors. The duo hooked up for 19 touchdowns through the air to surpass the previous record of 16 held by the pairs of Ben Bennett-to-Chris Castor and Steve Slayden-to-Doug Green.

A junior quarterback from Opa-Locka, Fla., Lewis completed 224-of-361 (.620) passes for 2,171 yards with 15 touchdowns and six interceptions this year. He ranks second in the ACC in total offense (206.1), passing yards per game (197.4) and touchdown passes while standing third in passing efficiency (122.95). Lewis set school records for most consecutive pass attempts without an interception (206) and most pass attempts in a single-game without an interception (52 vs. N.C. State) and was named ACC Player of the Week after 317-yard, three-touchdown day against Navy. On Duke's single-season records lists, Lewis' 2008 totals stand seventh for pass completions, ninth for pass attempts and tied for eighth in touchdown passes. Lewis becomes the first Blue Devil signal caller to garner all-conference accolades since 1988 when Anthony Dilweg was a first team pick.

Riley, a senior wide receiver from Savannah, Ga., received his second straight second team all-conference citation. In 2008, he hauled in 61 passes for 693 yards and eight touchdowns to rank second in the league in receptions per game (5.08) and touchdown grabs and fourth in receiving yards per outing (57.8). On Duke's all-time charts, Riley finished his career ranking seventh in receptions (144), second in receiving yards (2,413) and third in touchdown catches (22).

The 2008 Associated Press All-ACC football teams are voted on by 67 members of the Atlantic Coast Sports Media Association.

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Duke Football

Tauiliili named ACC Player of the Week

December 1, 2008 Duke Sports Information

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DURHAM, N.C. -- Duke senior linebacker Michael Tauiliili garnered ACC Player of the Week honors after registering a career-high 20 tackles and his team-leading fourth interception in the Blue Devils' 28-20 loss to North Carolina this past Saturday.

The league accolade is the second this season for Tauiliili, who also was honored following his 16-tackle, one-interception outing versus Virginia.

A native of Houston, Texas, Tauiliili posted the most tackles in a game since Terrell Smith had 22 hits versus Rice in 2003 and his 20 tackles are the most by an ACC player this year. Also against the Tar Heels, Tauiliili added 2.5 tackles for loss to push his season total to 13.0.

Tauiliili closed the regular season as the ACC's leading tackler with 140 stops, a total that matches the eighth-highest single-season total in Duke history.

The conference's complete list of weekly honorees includes Tauiliili (Defensive Lineman), N.C. State's Russell Wilson (Rookie), Georgia Tech's Roddy Jones (Offensive Back), Virginia Tech's Ryan Shuman (Offensive Lineman), Boston College's Robert Francois (Defensive Back) and Boston College's Billy Flutie (Specialist).

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Duke Football

Loss to rival hurt, but Duke Football made strides

December 1, 2008 Mark Watson

[private]Duke had an opportunity to tie UNC in the games closing minutes, but once again came up short. It's becoming a bit painful for the Blue Devil faithful in that while Duke plays the Heels close, it's become a tradition that they fall just short.

This is evidenced by the fact that UNC holds a dominating 17 of 18 edge in the series. Still, Duke had their opportunities while playing true freshman in several key roles, especially on the offensive side of the ball with Johnny Williams, Donovan Varner and Jay Hollingsworth.

The bottom line is that UNC had more talent, size and speed but Duke had enough heart to make them sweat in Cutcliffe's first season. Duke played a schedule which included 10 bowl teams and James Madison, the top ranked team in the country in Division I. As good as that schedule was, Duke competed with all but two teams, Georgia Tech and Clemson.

Duke was forced to play more freshman than they wanted to this season, but several kids were able to redshirt - much more so than there has been in the past. In short, Duke is building a football program, but patience is needed.

So, while the November losses sting, there was improvement both on and off the field. With the new found support, Cutcliffe has already made sure his staff is on the recruiting trail. There were over 100 high school prospects at Saturday's season finale, many of them from North Carolina, where Duke has struggled to recruit until recently.

If you think practice and conditioning is over, think again. Duke was running this morning and lifting in the afternoon. Cutcliffe hasn't lost his focus and he wants to make sure the team knows that it will take more hard work to build on four wins.

The Blue Devil Nation will be covering the first season in an overview in the coming days, but until then here are some kids we wan to recognize -

Michael Tauliliili - I can't remember a player having this good of a senior season. His 20 tackle against UNC cemented him as an ACC DPOY candidate. This kid worked hard and set forth a wonderful example of what it takes to be the best you can be. He will be missed in a big way and is sure to make some All American teams.

Vinnie Rey - Tauliliili can thank Rey for making him a better player. The duo was the best in the ACC and Rey will no doubt be the leader of the defense next season and an All American candidate.

Cameron Goldberg- This young man anchored the offensive line and became a selfless leader in his senior season. There will be some big shoes to fill with his departure.

Eron Riley - Was a little know recruit who made him self and All ACC receiver. Duke will need for a new go to wide out to step up in the off season.

The Seniors - They helped to develop a new work ethic in their final season. Many of them played key roles in this seasons turnabout. The BDN wished all of them the best of luck in their future endeavors.

There are many more, but those came to mind first. Check back for more coverage on recruiting and what to expect next year.

(Our game story was lost due to computer malfunction)[/private]