Duke backup quarterback Sean Renfree now has two years of practice under his belt and he hopes that means more reps. During the pre season workouts, Coach Cutcliffe has praised Renfree stating that he would play this season. How many reps Renfree gets remains to be seen, but in a recent interview the Devils future signal caller he said he was ready for the challenge.
Just press play -
BDN was on hand for this past Saturday's football scrimmage as the Blue Devils prepare for the season and their September 4th opener with Richmond. We talked with several players and here is the audio from our chat with senior Vince Oghobaase.
To listen just hit play!
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 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.
BDN was on hand for Tuesday's football practice as the Devils prepare for their season opener with Richmond. Here are Coach Cut's comments via audio -
BDN chatted with Duke LB Abraham Kromah on Tuesday. Here is that interview -
Play makers, on defense! Do you feel like you can be a "play maker" on defense this season?
I definitely hope to. As long as I take what the coaches give me, there is no chance you cannot be successful. I just have to implement and do the things they harp on like watching film and studying my opponent. They put everybody in position to make plays so it's just up to me to be accountable to my teammates and do what I have to do.
Last year Michael Tauliliili had Vincent Rey, this year Vincent Rey has? Do you think you can be that guy?
I feel like I can do some things and I'll definitely need to just keep coming along and keep taking the coaching and we'll go from there.
Can you describe your game in your own words?
I would like to think of myself as a hard worker. I pride myself in running to the ball and fitting in with the defense and do what I have to do. I play to the defense run to the ball and make plays. Just try to be as fearless as possible.
You have had two head coaches in Roof and Cutcliffe. What was the change like for you?
It's tough to see new people come and people go, but change is sometimes necessary. It's been part of a growing up process for me. Everything is looking up now and we've seen improvement and what it takes to win, so it feels like everything happens for a reason.
Some people are questioning the 09 linebackers, saying there is no depth. What do you think about that?
Every Saturday you get to go out there and prove yourself. Better yet you go out and practice and get better. To me, you don't want respect givent to you anyway. You want to earn it and in that regard I feel like we need to go out there and make the plays and show everybody what we are capable of.
How important is it to you for fans and students to turn out for the opener against Richmond?
I feel like it is important. We love the fan support. The students ... you just hope they stay behind you and let us know they are faithful in us. I hope fans know we are working hard every single day to give them what they want and came to see.
What is it like to see changes being made around you? The new practice field, visitors locker room and practice facility ... As a player do these changes mean a lot to you?
Yeah, it definitely is a plus for me. It shows me that Coach Cutcliffe is a man of his word and what he has said so far, he's done. If I were to make a list of tall the things he said he was going to do ... It's all definitely been done. We are taking the steps forward for success.
Duke is looking for play makers to step up on offense in in 2009 and Brandon King hopes to be one of those guys. King, a tight end, sat out the 2008 season while mending his collar bone but he hopes to be a factor early on for Duke. BDN talked with King about the upcoming season, his role and more in a recent interview.
Brandon, you're coming off an injury which kept you out all of last season, are you looking forward to getting back on the field?
Oh [said with a sigh of relief and emphasis] I've been looking forward to it so much. I've been waiting two years now, last year with a new coach here. I've been ready to go for awhile now and it's just all bottled up.
This is probably a system where they will go to you a lot this year. Having more depth at the tight end spot helps. Have they talked to you about your role this year?
I'm real excited about it. They're already talking about getting the ball to the tight ends a lot. Me and Huff, we're ready to make a lot of plays. In spring ball we started doing some things. As we get more confident, they start adding a lot more stuff in and it will only grow going into camp.
You started your career as a fullback. Do you still consider yourself a part time full back in a sense?
Yeah [smiling]
Do you feel you may be floating into the backfield as sort of a hybrid?
I definitely still consider myself a fullback part time. I like to get in the backfield, do the dirty work and hit people hard.
So, you like to have the ball n your hands to try and create?
Yeah, yeah. I like to do that. I like to lead block. I like to go through the holes on linebackers and block. So I will be in the backfield on the I [formation], I'll be out wide, so ...
You had a nice catch for a TD in the UConn game? Do you want to be that guy, the one in the end zone?
Oh, [emphasis on desire] definitely. I mean I remember that year where I always seemed to be in the right place in the end zone to catch the ball. That's my thing, I love to have the ball in my hands. I'd much rather it be in my hands than someone else.
What kind of chemistry do you have with Thaddeus Lewis?
We're good, we're on the same page. We do pass skills on Tuesday's and Thursdays. We'll run a play and he will say I saw you there, so the next time I'm open, we see each other.
Describe your game in your own words.
I would say I am physical. I like to hit, think quick on my feet. I understand the game a whole lot more now and when I'm out there I see and react very quickly. Um, I like to hit. [smiling]
Are you looking forward to August 5th?
Yeah, I'm ready to get the pads back on. Spring ball was great to get out there and test my collar bone out and everything went fine. I'm ready to get back out there and focus more on the team and football than my injury.
Have you guys circled the calendar with Richmond?
Yeah, we've been looking forward to Richmond since the last game of 08. We are looking at schemes, calendar circled and we are talking about how we want to start the season off with a bang.
What does the new staff bring to the table?
A lot of it is confidence and a lot of it is bringing the right people in. Our coaching staff is unreal and it's coming together. Everyone is stronger or faster, they've got us in unbelievable shape.
Do you see a difference with a different type of recruit on campus than in your two years under Roof?
Yeah, it is. We just brought in a great class. Even the guys Roof brought in were great players, but yeah, you can tell because we've got some some big time guys checking out our school with offers from other top schools.
Good luck this season!
Thanks.
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