Category Archives: Duke Football

Duke Football

Seniors represent Duke one more time – Akinbiyi. Roland and Riley interviews

[private]When Duke steps onto the field against UNC tomorrow, several seniors will be playing

Senior Class
Senior Class

their last game at Duke.  These players deserve your support, so I hope that all of you turn out in force and cheer hard for you know the other guys will.

In the end, this senior class fought with a new coach to see to it that Duke Football has a base for the future.  The Blue Devil Nation salutes the Duke Senior Class for 2008 and hopes they go out with a fabulous win.

Greg Akinyibi (#5 Sr., DE) -

On North Carolina -

Last year losing in overtime ... you don't want to lose to Carolina.  Now we have something we really look forward to ... playing Carolina again - it doesn't get any better than that.  There's a whole much more adrenaline for the UNC game.  It's a rivalry game.  If you can't get up for this one it's no since in coming to play for Duke.  This game carries a lot of weight.

Regardless of who starts at quarterback for them, it's pretty much the same game plan because they are both really good.

On his final game at Duke -

We were really excited when Coach came in to have a chance to change the program and start something special here.  It's unfortunate it took us this long to start winning, but it's really good to see the program heading in the right direction - to see the guys behind us take what we help build to another level.

Being seniors it's unfortunate that we can't go to a bowl game, but we will focus on Duke and what Duke needs to do to win this weekend.

On work habits -

It feels good to see the hard work you put in in the off season in summer and camps pay off.  Coach tells us to empty our tank and go farther than we thought was possible.

On his Duke career -

My career at Duke has played a big role in my maturity.  I've been through a lot on and off the field.  I'm still not satisfied with who I am as a man or a player, but there has been a lot of growth.  I really appreciate what Duke has had to offer me and I've gained a lot from the experience.

Fred Roland (#70 Sr., OL)-

Whatever I could do and whatever capacity that might carry to make this program better than it a was when I came in was key.  I was willing to do that.  Coach Cut tells us to leave the place better than you found it.  My biggest reward since I have been here was the character I've developed over the four years. 

Are you leaving the program better than it was?

We've already done that!  To get a victory this weekend would be the icing on the cake.  We won a total of four games before this year and we've already eclipsed that this season.  We've definitely got it going.  The program is progressing upward and that's comforting to me.

Eron Riley (#5, Sr., WR) -

So, your last game at Duke ...

It's a bittersweet feeling.  Granted I wish we were in a bowl game but we are not.  Going our their against our rival ... there will be a lot of intensity - playing for a lot of pride.

On the Carolina game -

To come out for any game is really intense, but they're eight miles away.  It's one where all the fans have circled the game for us.  The atmosphere and the hype of that game make it different.

We'll go over there to a party and we'll see some of those guys out.  For the most part we're friendly.  Me personally, I do not have too many fans on there team, bit we say hi.  I just go about my business.

We've played close with them, but that's only good for hand grenades and horseshoes (smiling), so we want to go out and get a "W" before I leave.

It was a very bad feeling last year - one I had to get out of my mouth real fast.  I really wish we'd have won, but it didn't turn out for us.  I've thought about that since our last game, hopefully we can get it back this weekend.

On last season missed field goal (s) to win vs UNC -

I was on my way across the sidelines.  I got to the numbers before I saw the miss and went back to the sidelines.

On his four years at Duke -

Coming in four years ago, I really wasn't a highly recruited player.  I just wanted to play football but played a lot due to injuries my freshman year.  After that the snowball just got rolling and I just went out there to make plays and help my team.

I feel at the end of the day, we came in here wanting to start a program and in my time here I feel like we've done that.  If we win our last game this weekend we've accomplished that goal.

I look at the plays I made on my high school team and the plays I've made in college and realize I've gotten a lot better on and off the field.

Suppose you get a shot at UNC late.  Do you feel like the team needs to go for the end zone and not depend on a field goal?

Yes.  I would love to make that play.  It doesn't matter to me as long as we win.  This is our bowl game - I feel that way.  There is some urgency with it being our last game.  To close out with a "W" helps with so many things. 

On the big game falling on the Thanksgiving break and students gone and anticipation -

Carolina is a game you think about from the start of the season, or at least know it's there.  At the beginning of the season, you look at the first game and the last.  I wish it didn't fall on the break with the students gone.  I hope some are sticking around for it or come back early.

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Duke Football

Cutcliffe Teleconference – Tauiliili, Lewis, Virginia Tech, UNC and more

[private]Opening statement -  We've been in the training room before going out on the practice field.  We were a beat up team going into Blacksburg and a beat up team coming out, but not emotionally.  I've never been around a more unselfish team or a team that plays any harder than this team does.  There is no finger pointing - 100% together.  I'm very saddened that our seniors qwon't get to experience a bowl game and they have one game left to play which is a big one with rival North Carolina.  We're going to pick up the pieces after a hard fought and difficult game against Virginia Tech.

On Michael Tauliliili - He's the best defensive football player in the ACC.  He continues to play at a high level every single snap.  He's a great leader off the field.  His recovers fumbles, causes fumbles, makes plays nobody else can make.  He's all over the field.  I feel he should be the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

On Zack Asack - Obviously, his confidence is not good right now throwing the football.  He hasn't had a lot of success and didn't throw the ball well against Virginia Tech.  He has a lot of work to do, but he is capable.  We've got to help him a little bit more and he will continue to work and we will continue to evaluate Thad as the week goes on.  Zack was effective in our triple option offense.  We had tons of opportunities to make big plays but we didn't take advantage of it.  I know I can count on Zack to come to work.

On Thad's chances to play vs UNC - I'm very hopeful.  He continues to get treatments.  In fact we were here at 2:00 in the morning after the game administering treatment to a lot of players.  Thad was in here earlyy this morning - so a lot of work going on in that regard.

On his teams defensive effort and physical play against a team that's had their way in the past - We did a great job.  We thought we had a great match up.  We tackled well, we were very aggressive in coverage.  We pretty much put a lot of people in the box to slow down their running game.  We shortened the game which was the plan and going late into the fourth quarter we had a chance to win the game.

We had five take aways and that was huge, we were solid in the kicking game.  Offensively, I could not believe how many missed opportunities we had looking at the tape this morning.  Whether we called the wrong play or a snap issue or a penalty ... just unnecessary things.  We won the field position game and became a more physical team on both sides of the ball.  We not only want that  momentum to carry into the Carolina game, I want that to carry into Duke Football.

Our physicality is going to change as a team.  We were in the weight room on Sunday.  Coaches know that Duke will be physical and how we played in the past ... those days are gone.  I talked to Coach Beamer about that before the ball game and he said that they could see the difference on tape and were shocked.

These seniors are leaving the program better than they found it.   A lot more has gone on than the play on the field.[/private]

Duke Football

Duke comes up short vs Hokies

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Blacksburg, Va. -- The Duke defense forced five first half turnovers, but it wasn’t enough as the Blue Devils fell 14-3 to Virginia Tech in Blacksburg.

The Blue Devils (4-7, 1-6) had their final chance to mount a game wining scoring drive with 1:31 remaining but Zack Asack was intercepted on first down from the Duke 18 by Victor Harris who returned the interception 23 yards putting the game out of reach for Duke.

“We carried the game into the fourth quarter, had a chance to win... The thing that I want to focus on is that you will never see a football team play together better than you saw Duke today,” David Cutcliffe said. “It was an unbelievable feeling, not just today but all week long fighting back after not really playing well against Clemson.”

The Duke defense put forth a valiant effort the entire game forcing five first half turnovers and surrounding just one scoring drive to Hokies (7-4, 4-3) for the entire 60 minutes as both teams dealt with temperatures in the 20s.

Led by Vincent Rey’s 11 tackles, the Duke defense put their offense in a position to come away with points throughout the game by the Hokie defense responded every time forcing stop after stop.

Both Catron Gainey and Matt Daniels forced two turnovers each, an interception and a fumble recovery, with Gainey recording seven tackles, one for a loss and Daniels chipping in with three.

It was the second consecuative game that the Blue Devils recorded at least four sacks with Greg Akinbiyi, Vince Oghobaase, and Gainey all recording a solo sack while Michael Tauiliili and Marcus Jones combined on a sack.

Rey also had a forced fumble and a pass breakup, while Tauiliili added nine tackles, broke up three passes, assisted on a sack and recorded his third interception of the season as the Blue Devils held Virginia Tech to 334 yards of total offense.

The Blue Devils ran the ball 40 times on the day gaining 116 yards. Duke ended the day gaining 136 yards of total offense.

“I just kept hoping that we would bust a run, and boy we came close over and over and over to busting a run,” Cutcliffe said.

After a scoreless first quarter the Blue Devils notched the first points of the ball game with 14:50 left in the second quarter. Nick Maggio connected on a 39-yard field goal from the left hash to put the Blue Devils up 3-0.

The drive was set up thanks to a fumble recovery at the Virginia Tech 43-yard line by Daniels. The freshman pounced on the football for the Blue Devils second forced turnover of the game. Tyrod Taylor was credited with the fumble on the pitch to Darren Evans.

The scoring drive for the Blue Devils lasted 6-plays highlighted by a 19 yard rush by Asack, who finished the day with a career high 87 rushing yards on 24 carries.

On the ensuing Hokie possession, Daniels intercepted Taylor, who threw slightly behind Jarrett Boykin, at the Duke 37-yard line returning it nine yards to the Duke 46, but the Blue Devil offense was unable to capitalize.

On the very next play after Duke punted, Taylor fumbled the football as he took off down the field with Gainey recovering the football at the Virginia Tech 40. Rey forced the fumble on the play. After three offensive plays the Blue Devils were forced to punt once again.

Sean Glennon replaced Taylor on the next series in the second quarter faring better than his teammate as he led Virginia Tech completing 12-of-20 for 132 yards with a touchdown and an interception.

Though Glennon had his struggles early throwing an interception in his second series, with Gainey coming up with the interception after Tauiliili deflected the pass as he rushed the quarterback. Duke took over at their 40, but once again were unable to turn the Hokie mistake into points.

Glennon found his grove with 3:02 remaining in the half orchestrating the Hokies on an 86yard drive that spanned 2:24 finding Jarrett Boykin on a skinny post for the 19-yard touchdown strike with 38 seconds left in the half. The touchdown would be the only one the Duke defense would surrender all game, but it was the only one the Hokies would need in the end as Duke entered the locker room at the half trailing 7-3.

Neither team’s offense could get into a grove in the second half as both defenses prevented either offense from driving the football down the field. The longest drive by either team in the second half was 27 yards, twice by Virginia Tech and once by the Blue Devils.

The interception return for a touchdown by Harris with 1:23 left sealed the victory for the Hokies , but Cutcliffe walked off the field proud of the effort his team put forth.

“This Duke team is a pretty special football team,” Cutcliffe said.

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Duke Football

Duke Redshirt QB Sean Renfree is learning the system

[private]I made it a point to ask about the progress of Sean Renfree during Tueday's press conference.  Cutcliffe had some good things to say about a future signal caller -

While Duke has two remaining contests left in the 2008 season, some fans like to look ahead a bit.  Not all of the Blue Devils progress can be measured on the field.  For instance, Coach Cutcliffe said that he would burn no more redshirts the remainder of this season.

While seven or so key freshman have been forced to play due to needs, the Devils will hold the rest out to give them an extra year to mature. Duke is quietly grooming what could be their quarterback of the future behind the scenes.

Sean Renfree chose Duke over Arizona State, Boise State, Georgia Tech and Oregon State last season.  He was one of the nation's elite quarterbacks and is the first one Cutcliffe and his staff targeted.

At 6-3, 200 pounds and gaining, Renfree has the kind of size Cutcliffe likes in a quarterback.  "I want them to be big, I want them to be able to see the field and they have to be able to command the ball and be accurate.  If they can run, it's a bonus," said Cutcliffe.

In fact, his mechanics somewhat resembles the Manning brothers, two highly successful, winning quarterbacks on each level.  The redshirt freshman is known for a quick release and more importantly accuracy and anticipating the wide outs routes.

"Sean had a good morning practice.  He's a very bright young man.  Redshirting can come very complacent to certain kids, but he's been 100% the other way - he's been very much into what he is doing," said Cutcliffe when I asked of Renfree's progress.

Renfree attended Notre Dame Prep in Arizona and the school prepared him for the academics at Duke.  He's adjusting on and off the field and may well earn playing time in 2009 which will be his first collegiate season.

Cutcliffe continued on Renfree's progress, "I've been real pleased with Sean.  He's throwing the ball well in practice.  We've increased his throwing.  He does all of our receiver drills.  He can really throw it and is working out a lot against the defense.  He's kind of a double dipper, people don't  know that this guy can really run."

Duke will no doubt concentrate on Virginia Tech and UNC to close the season, but it's comforting to know that recruiting continues to better team personnel and that Renfree is accepting of his current role to prepare for next season.

As Cutcliffe has often stated, "We're not just trying to build a good team.  We're trying to build a good program at Duke and we will."[/private]

Duke Football

Quick hitter – DL Cliff Respress talks Clemson

[private]So, after a tough loss are you guys ready to go?

Yeah!  We don't hang our heads on Sunday.   We looked at the film and saw plays we should have made.  On Tuesday, it was on to Clemson.  Sometimes we can't see it, but coach will point it out and we go back to work on it.

On Clemson -

I can't wait to get there ... I can't wait.  Those guys!  They're good athletes and being in that arena energizes me - the hostile crowd and people booing you.  We hope to make it a one dimensional game and shut them down.

I've watched them on film and they're big.  I don't look at it like they're too big to handle.  It's going to be a physical game and we can be successful at the line of scrimmage.  You hit some people and they start putting it on the ground.  It's going to be a fun game.

Will teams take Duke lightly now that they are under .500 for the first time this season -

That would be a huge mistake for any team to look at our 4-5 record and take us lightly.  For a team to even approach our game taking us lightly, it would be a huge mistake.  Coach always says, you're going to get their best shot.  They see Duke on film and see that we're playing good ball, so they're preparing.

What one thing stands out that you have learned as a player this season?

Being a more aggressive player.   You've got to get to the ball.  If there is a screen you've got to run.  So, getting to the ball.  Coach always says if you run to the ball and the ball pops out you have a chance at the recovery.  This is something I try to hold myself to, so that I can impact the game.

What are the seniors talking about?

All of our seniors know what the deal is.   We talk to each other in practice and say, hey this is it, just three more games.  I've been playing football for thirteen years and now I have three games left and that's not promised to me.  I have been playing this game for a long time, all the seniors have.  So we give it everything we've got in practice and leave it all on the field.  Come Saturday, it's time to show up.  The schemes are set and it's up to us and you have to be ready.

How important is student support to this team?

It's important.  We love the students and their support.  It helps a lot to know they are up there.  I know the Carolina game is over Thanksgiving, but I hope they turn out.  We need them to turn out.  I'm pretty sure the people of Durham will be there.  I've had people I haven't talked to since I was twelve years old, so my last game?  It's going to be fun.  But, Clemson is next and first things first.[/private]

Duke Football

Quick hitter – Raphael Chestnut

[private]Raphael Chestnut -

On the tough and or close losses -

We all knew it was going to be hard for us.  This is what it is, the Atlantic Coast Conference - Division I football.  Of course we are upset that we've lost a couple of close games, but we are real upbeat.  We have to go out and execute and we have a chance to win some of the next few games.

Do you feel as if the team came slow out of the gate against NCSU?

I believe they they did come in with a lot of intensity.  They were coming off a bye week and we were coming in off a tough loss.  As a team we should have matched that intensity because we still have to prove we can contend in the ACC.  I feel like we did match their intensity, but that we just didn't execute as well.

This is your second trip to Clemson.  Do you like playing in hostile environments?

It's wonderful.  It gets you excited and ready to play.  You're either ready to play or you're scared to play - no in betweens.  I expect our team to go down there and play our best.

Were you able to see the errors on film?

Yes.  We saw it all clearly.[/private]