Duke-Virginia Tech

[Highlander]

Well, FDA got what he wanted. Zack completed five passes the entire game. The only problem was that four of them were to VTech defenders. Think about that stat for a moment. Four interceptions to only one completion. I'd love to hear his defense about how Asack should be starting over Lewis. Thad had better numbers than that against GTech and Miami, teams I'd put in the same league as VTech, and he's never had four picks in a game this year. It's no wonder the coaches opted to run the ball every down. That's pretty much all Asack was capable of tonight.

I'll give the coaches credit, however. Their strategy was decent. Consider that we were only down four points with the ball and under two minutes to go in the game. I would have taken that if you'd given it to me before the game. We opted to shorten the game and hope for a mistake on D and a big play on Offense. We got the mistakes, but no big plays. We did well to even be in the game.

The reason we were in the game was our Defense. They were awesome. They pretty much shut down VTech's offense all night, yielding only one drive for points the entire game. Their effort was absolutely incredible, and they singlehandedly kept us in the game. They forced 5 turnovers in the first 20 minutes of the game. My hat's off to them.

It's sad, because a halfway decent Offense would have buried VTech by 2 or 3 TDs in the first half. Unfortunately, our injuries to RB and QB pretty much left us with no options tonite.

If Lewis is back next week, we should have a shot against UNC if our D plays like that.

[wolfpackdevil]

I am ashamed at our coach tonight. David Cutcliffe had the worst play calling I have seen in a long time.

Zack Asack is very capable of throwing 5 or 6 yard passes consistantly, but he had to run the ball from the shotgun every time.


Duke SHOULD have won this game. 5 first half turnovers by VT, and they started in VT territory 4 times in the first half, and scored 1 field goal. They did horrible calling plays, and thats about it.

Other than the play calling they played great. The defense was magnificent.

But in a game that was a must win for bowl eligibility, Coach Cutcliffe did not play for a win. He played hoping VT would turn the ball over again.


Not a lot of momentum heading in to the battle for the Victory Bell.

[FireOgilvie]

That was the ugliest game I've ever seen.

Congratulations to the defense for holding VT to 7.

The offense was outscored 7-3. Not great.

Asack completed 6/9 passes! Of course 4 of those were caught by VT players...

How many times in the history of college football has someone thrown twice as many interceptions as completions?

[Acymetric]

I am so proud of our defense. I am not going to say anything else because I think I'd regret it later on. Congrats D, you played your heart out for four quarters and should have an easy/blowout win to show for it. We're all so proud of your effort, heart, and execution.

This is so true. I think its really sad that this solid defensive unit is going to waste this year. They've had a couple bad games, but have been playing really well most of the time. I hope the seniors know how much we appreciate their hard work and that they're proud of themselves.

[doctorhook]

Sushi,

Unfortunately, we do not have a third string quaterback, seriously. Cliff Harris was probably next up.

[loran16]

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/player...layerId=172902

ESPN lists today's performance as worth a -43 Passer rating. -43.00.

Thad and Renfree from here on out the next couple of years please.

[Acymetric]

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/player...layerId=172902

ESPN lists today's performance as worth a -43 Passer rating. -43.00.

Thad and Renfree from here on out the next couple of years please.

So you CAN get a negative rating! Or maybe ESPN is changing the system just for that game.

[RelativeWays]

D was great in this game and really has been underrated this year. I think alot of the TDS they gave up this year came in the 4th quarter when they were tired and got no help from the offense with tons of 3 and outs. The bad thing is our D has a lot of seniors on it. I'm still looking forward to next season.

[doctorhook]

Wolfpackdevil,

What makes you think Asack is capable of that 5/6? Hey, before the game, if I had told you we had the ball on the last posession to win the game at VaTech ( forget the score ), would you have been happy?

[Acymetric]

http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/player...layerId=172902

ESPN lists today's performance as worth a -43 Passer rating. -43.00.

Thad and Renfree from here on out the next couple of years please.

Oh, but look at his rating from the Wake game! 446! He should win the Heisman!

Seriously though, the Thad v. Renfree debate is one that I think will actually have merit. Renfree is supposed to be the real deal. That said, I'll be shocked if Thad doesn't start next year. Renfree will probably get some snaps, but Thad will be Duke's QB. I feel pretty confident saying that.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I am so proud of our defense. I am not going to say anything else because I think I'd regret it later on. Congrats D, you played your heart out for four quarters and should have an easy/blowout win to show for it. We're all so proud of your effort, heart, and execution.

Our defense played great for all four quarters. 3 picks, 2 fumble recoveries, Tauiliili, Rey and Oghobaase all around double digit tackles (I think Rey had 12), excellent coverage by our DB's, just a superlative night by those guys. We just had no offense other than Asack running the ball. Might have been nice to see a reverse to Riley, just so he could have touched the ball once.

[Acymetric]

Our defense played great for all four quarters. 3 picks, 2 fumble recoveries, Tauiliili, Rey and Oghobaase all around double digit tackles (I think Rey had 12), excellent coverage by our DB's, just a superlative night by those guys. We just had no offense other than Asack running the ball. Might have been nice to see a reverse to Riley, just so he could have touched the ball once.

I maintain that Riley should have been back catching punts if we weren't going to pass it to him. I don't want him returning when he's going to be involved as a receiver, don't want to risk getting him hurt or tired, but when he's not getting touches, put him in to return punts.

Carolina did that with Steve Smith years ago in the game that Jake Delhomme basically gave away (he had like 4 or 6 ints) so that he could get a touch and he ran it back for a TD. Not that Riley is Steve Smith, but you get my point.

[RelativeWays]

Thad will be a senior and despite what a few detractors say, he's a competent QB with flashes of excellence. His key to success is going to be how well the line prtects him and if we can get a solid and consistent running attack. Renfree will be in his 1st year as a player so he should ideally get snaps in games that have already been decided (hopefully in Dukes favor). After all, he'll be the man in 2010.

[wolfpackdevil]

Wolfpackdevil,

What makes you think Asack is capable of that 5/6? Hey, before the game, if I had told you we had the ball on the last posession to win the game at VaTech ( forget the score ), would you have been happy?

Yes I would have been happy.

But ill tell you somethin, I would have rather the offense TRY to win the game, and lose by 20, than not try to win the game and lose by what should have been 4.

They could have at least tried to pass the ball, or get it in the hands of Riley or Williams.

And, dont tell me hes not capable of throwing 5/6! You can't be an ACC QB without being able to throw the ball. We should have at least tried something, not do the following: Run, Run, Try to run, Punt.


Every time


Credit Tauililili, Oghobasse, and Gainey for having a hell of a game

[Acymetric]

Yes I would have been happy.

But ill tell you somethin, I would have rather the offense TRY to win the game, and lose by 20, than not try to win the game and lose by what should have been 4.

They could have at least tried to pass the ball, or get it in the hands of Riley or Williams.

And, dont tell me hes not capable of throwing 5/6! You can't be an ACC QB without being able to throw the ball. We should have at least tried something, not do the following: Run, Run, Try to run, Punt.


Every time


Credit Tauililili, Oghobasse, and Gainey for having a hell of a game

I think there could be an argument made that Zach can't be a QB in the ACC. He's clearly lost something since is freshman year. Confidence? Maybe. Game experience after sitting out 3 years? Good chance. But he doesn't have it any more. I'm hoping he switches to another position, he's a good athlete, I feel like he could contribute more in another position, and I've said that most of the season.

[DevilCastDownfromDurham]

Our defense played great for all four quarters. 3 picks, 2 fumble recoveries, Tauiliili, Rey and Oghobaase all around double digit tackles (I think Rey had 12), excellent coverage by our DB's, just a superlative night by those guys. We just had no offense other than Asack running the ball. Might have been nice to see a reverse to Riley, just so he could have touched the ball once.

I agree with your agreement. Those numbers are jaw-dropping, especially given how frustrated they must have been at the end. I'm really going to miss watching those guys...


...on Saturdays. I expect we'll have a chance to cheer for quite a few Devils on Sundays starting next Fall.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I'm hoping he switches to another position, he's a good athlete, I feel like he could contribute more in another position, and I've said that most of the season.

Like I said in another post here, next year he's a running back. Hollingsworth, Jackson, Asack and any redshirt freshman who can contribute. That's a lot of running talent to go with two good quarterbacks.

[Lavabe]

So you CAN get a negative rating! Or maybe ESPN is changing the system just for that game.

A HA!!! I thought so!!

Note: I didn't really think so when I asked this in the Snrub, but I began wondering.

[Acymetric]

I agree with your agreement. Those numbers are jaw-dropping, especially given how frustrated they must have been at the end. I'm really going to miss watching those guys...


...on Saturdays. I expect we'll have a chance to cheer for quite a few Devils on Sundays starting next Fall.

I hope that isn't true...the only senior I expect to do much is Mike T. The other two guys (the two Vinces) are juniors, so I hope they're back for us to watch on Saturday.

Its possible that Eron could make a roster, but I doubt he'll be a big contributor right away. I've heard at some point that some scouts like one of our senior O-lineman, but I find that hard to believe. Oh, Teilor Robinson should probably find a spot in the NFL too. Not too sure if anyone else is going to have a real shot out of this senior class. Next year I think we'll have a couple guys drafted.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

I agree with your agreement. Those numbers are jaw-dropping, especially given how frustrated they must have been at the end. I'm really going to miss watching those guys...


...on Saturdays. I expect we'll have a chance to cheer for quite a few Devils on Sundays starting next Fall.

Only Tauiliili is a senior. Rey and Oghobaase can be back next year. I sure hope that both Vince's choose to stay and play at Duke (Ogho redshirted his freshman year due to his leg injury, Rey is only a junior this year.)