"there's no virtually no way we beat 'bama on Saturday. Still, it would be nice to at least play a respectable game against them"
no way for that, either. our secondary can't cover the chair i am sitting in.
The quoted post is from the Elon post game thread but I'm looking for responses from those who were at the game.
With the score 14-7 Duke, Rwabukamba made a great play on the ball resulting in an interception. On TV it appeared he had a chance for a pick six but lacked the speed to pull it off as he was forced out of bounds as he scampered down the sideline. For those at the game, was that a legit pick six opportunity? A play which could have given Duke a 21-7 lead. Instead we get stopped, fumble the punt snap, and WF scores to tie it 14-14.
Last edited by Bob Green; 09-11-2010 at 06:04 PM. Reason: English
Bob Green
"there's no virtually no way we beat 'bama on Saturday. Still, it would be nice to at least play a respectable game against them"
no way for that, either. our secondary can't cover the chair i am sitting in.
I am as disappointed as anyone, but I think there are some positives from the game.
1. Even with everything said above, we were an onside kick away from having the last shot to win.
2. We gave up 21 points on TO's, one of which (the first INT) was just a fantastic defensive play. Renfree was on target with about every throw.
3. Running game -- light years from last year.
4. Disciplined ball -- I only remember the one holding penalty on the kickoff return although there may have been more. But no stupid offsides, delay of games, and holds on passing.
5. We had Wake at one point something like 2-9 on third downs. It got away in the fourth quarter, unfortunately.
6. Defensive blown assignments -- yes, there were plenty -- but we were playing a potent option team and our defense is still young.
7. Renfree is tough as nails. He took a cheap spear right under the chin, and a few other cheap shots (I was surprised at how some of the Wake players carried themselves, although that is a whole different topic). The dude is a clear leader and clear winner.
8. We could have been left for dead at least twice -- when we went down 35-21 in the first half, and when we went down 54-38 and Wake had the ball with about 2 minitues IIRC. This team fought back. Never say die.
Am I happy? Hell no. But I'm glad that I give enough of a damn about Duke football to care and to expect to win. That's been dormant for about 20 years.
The ACC is obviously in scramble mode right now. After Alabama, we have a string of games in which we can prevail IF we learn from the mistakes and stay healthy. Building a program takes time. But this team can certainly finish in the top half of the conference and get to a bowl.
It wasn't over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor, and it ain't over now. -- OPK
You're darn tootin skippy it isn't over. We've only just begun. Far too many pessimists populating this board for my taste. Almost reminds me of late February 2001 when Carlos Boozer broke his foot. Next thing we knew there was the infamous "It's over" thread. And of course, it wasn't over - we won the National Championship instead. My friends, we ARE going to beat Alabama next week.
Last edited by OZZIE4DUKE; 09-11-2010 at 08:59 PM.
Ozzie, your paradigm of optimism!
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Kudos to you for rooting the team on. I hope you're not implying that those with constructive criticism don't give "enough of a damn" ... we care, and we have not been dormant. As far as expecting to win ... well, you got me there. I'm realistic, but I do always hope we win. I don't mind so much if there are certain highly talented players we can't get for academic reasons. It's the unforced errors that are the burr under the saddle.
A couple of points you brought up are, AFAIK, incorrect:
We DID get a delay of game. It was on the FG in the 4th quarter, when we had that 4th and 1 from inside the 20, which I and some others feel that we should have gone for. But the FG unit went on, and promptly got a delay of game penalty and turned a 33 yarder into a 38 yarder. Fortunately, it didn't cost us ... this time.
Second, the score was never 54-38. With 2 min to go it was 54-41. Your point stands, we didn't give up, we got a TD to bring it to 6.
Minor points, but it does take a tiny bit of the shine off our participation trophy.
54-48? Well, it's five fewer points than Butler scored on us.
Frustrating for the turnovers..but beyond that fact, it's hard to argue against that being one of the most exciting Duke football games I've seen in a long time. Glimpses of what will come in the future once the youth of the team learns to avoid the mistakes made today.
Q "Why do you like Duke, you didn't even go there." A "Because my art school didn't have a basketball team."
I hate losing to Wake again, but still have to hit the positives. Renfree, Vernon, and Desmond Scott are all Sophomores. We have a LOT to look forward to in the next few years with these guys. I'm sure Cut will address the defense and I have complete confidence it will improve.
I’m extremely excited about the future of this program. Renfree is a big time QB. If the defense can catch up to the offense, we will be a force to be reckoned with over the next few seasons.
Hi,
This does not belong in its own thread, so I will put it here. These young men are playing the best football Duke has seen around here since Anthony Dilweg hurled the pig-skin. I am not ready to concede the game to Alabama or anyone else for that matter.
Our boys can learn from their mistakes--in that way they are a different team from what we have seen around here for a while too. Alabama is ranked number one in the nation. Big Deal. Once they put the ball in play all rankings mean is we probably get to be on something besides ESPN3 on the West Coast. Our QB and receives will make the Alabama defenders have to do things they don't want to. Our D will tighten too. We shouldn't be scared about this opportunity, but excited about what it can bring us. We can gain more respectability if not out and out glory.
For those of you who are ready to give the game to Alabama, get off the bandwagon. Coaches Wade or Cameron (may their souls rest in peace) probably wouldn't want you around anyway.
GO DUKE!
Last edited by Kewlswim; 09-11-2010 at 10:08 PM. Reason: oops forgot something and grammar
Wake played with the same ball. They were really lucky to get the 1st tipped INT as that ball seemed to hang in the air forever before they got it at turf level. The same receiver also had another ball go through his hands for a pick and then dropped about a 40 yard bomb at about the Wake 20.
I'll quote cbnaylor (I think) from the locked thread as say it woulda been nice to have 1 or 3 holding calls against Wake. Their last TD was a direct result of a jersey grab/full nelson on one of our DB as they ran about 15 yds to their left and to our 1 or so and then scored.
But, we just made too many mistakes today, especially our DB on 2 plays when we did not have a player within 10 yards of their WR.
Yes, that was Austin Kelly. 2 of Renfree's 3 picks were attributed to Kelly having the ball hit him in the numbers and not being able to hang on. For Duke to take the next step, you have got to catch these passes and you certainly can't do what they did on the punt in the first half. Speaking of which, Cut took Jones out after that play. I believe the other punter was Alex King and he did an outstanding job.
I think the rain hurt Duke a little more than it did Wake as the Deacs are more of a running team. The artificial grass at BB&T Field didn't seem to get as slick as normal grass might. However, if you want to win games you have to make the plays and limit mistakes. Duke simply made too many today to win and the magin for error is pretty slim. Rain or no rain you just have to make those catches.
It will be easier to do as long as he has field time. I had a nice chat with his dad last weekend at our tailgate; he was recruited as a QB, but obviously he has too much talent in front of him at that position. His dad was hoping he'd be the starting punter next year, he might get his wish much earlier than expected. I thought he did a fine job kicking.
Q "Why do you like Duke, you didn't even go there." A "Because my art school didn't have a basketball team."