FB: Miami 34, Duke 16

[airowe]

This is obviously a must-win game for our postseason hopes. We'll see how this injured team holds up going into Miami. Can we pull off the upset? Sure. Will we? Your thoughts...

[CameronBornAndBred]

This is obviously a must-win game for our postseason hopes. We'll see how this injured team holds up going into Miami. Can we pull off the upset? Sure. Will we? Your thoughts...
We can if we change our game plan. We've kept the same plan for the last two losses..too much running and short passing. We did at least go for a few long balls VS. GT, but their corners were very good, and Thad flat out overthrew a great called play (down the field up the middle). I'm just hoping Thad stays healthy today, I have no interest in seeing Schroeder out there. Not because I don't want to see him, but I want to see him for four more years.
Defense will have another tough game on their hands, but they are up to the challenge. Duke has played Miami well before, I look for a tight game that we have a chance in. GO DUKE!!

[Newton_14]

Great play by Vinnie on D and then a great pass by Thad to a Killer V and we are on the board in Miami. Had to settle for 3, but I will take it.

3-0 middle of the 1st

[davekay1971]

Still having problems running the football, but the defense has a good pick and held firm on this drive when they needed to.

Go Duke!

Hopefully we can get a win, then back home to face Wake with a bowl bid on the line. That would be the biggest game Wallace Wade Stadium has seen since the 1994 season...

[El_Diablo]

online stream:

http://www.justin.tv/footballsaturday

[RainingThrees]

LETS GO DUKE FOOTBALL!!! Show everybody its not all about basketball at Duke.

[juise]

It was too bad Thad missed a wide open receiver on that first down play-action, but it was a great save by Snyderwine on that 49-yard kick (and nice squib kick on the ensuing kickoff).

[RainingThrees]

Duke 6, Miami 3, lets keep it up.

[RainingThrees]

Almost another pick by Duke. High pass almost picked off by Gainey.

[RainingThrees]

FUMBLE!!!!! Duke ball!!

[airowe]

What happened on Miami's first TO?

[juise]

What happened on Miami's first TO?

I wasn't watching at the time, but I heard that Duke intercepted Harris.


It's really too bad Kelly couldn't hold on to that 3rd-and-2 catch. Duke's offense really looked like it was starting to click.

[RainingThrees]

What happened on Miami's first TO?

Pick by Duke's Gainey.

[airowe]

YEAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[RainingThrees]

TD Duke!!! Varner with the TD 24 yard TD pass. Varner has 130+ yards receiving.

[Chris4UNC]

This is obviously a must-win game for our postseason hopes. We'll see how this injured team holds up going into Miami. Can we pull off the upset? Sure. Will we? Your thoughts...
You may not believe it but I would like to see the Devils get to a bowl. We know Miami is going to one so it would be good to see another ACC team get a bowl bid. You guys have a great quarterback which is why you are having some success this year and it should continue. As for QB's, Carolina's TJ Yates is trying his best to blow a 21-0 start that the Heel's defense has handed him against Boston College. UNC's defense has been ranked nationally in the top 5 all year and deservedly so. The offense however has left quite a bit to be desired.

[RainingThrees]

Half time. Duke 13 Miami 10. Offense didnt look good early, but later in the half the offense started clicking, the defense remained solid, and our run game was even picking up 4-6 yard gains. We can win this game!

[sandinmyshoes]

Great first half, all things considered. Just have to watch out for fatigue against a very quick Miami team, and finish this out.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Half time. Duke 13 Miami 10. Offense didnt look good early, but later in the half the offense started clicking, the defense remained solid, and our run game was even picking up 4-6 yard gains. We can win this game!

Not bad offense for a team that got very little practice outside during the week to prepare for this game. If they've really established their rhythm, the second half should be even better.

Great preparation of both offense and defense.... Miami has been trying to adjust. The staff Coach Cutcliffe brought with him has proven their worth repeatedly.

[airowe]

Boys are really moving the ball well, even on the ground...

It sounds like we've got a lot of Duke fans in attendance. Good work if you traveled down there!

[RainingThrees]

Duke 16 Miami 10 on a Duke FG. Would have prefered the TD but the run game was picking up yardage and that is very encouraging.

[calltheobvious]

Duke 16 Miami 10 on a Duke FG. Would have prefered the TD but the run game was picking up yardage and that is very encouraging.

Long-term, this game is very encouraging. But though the defense deserves great credit for holding Miami to a field goal there, the harsh reality is that there's about a quarter-and-a-half to go, and the defense has already been on the field for 58 snaps. Duke's going to lose this game, and may lose it by double digits, but what outcomes like this show is that Duke's main problem is now depth, and not frontline talent or coaching, as has been the case since Spurrier left.

Two years from now, Duke will win games like this one because they'll have enough players to finish off teams with top-25 talent and coaching.

The future looks bright indeed.

[Welcome2DaSlopes]

That was a quick fg


score; Duke 16 Miami 13.

[AtlBluRew]

Long-term, this game is very encouraging. But though the defense deserves great credit for holding Miami to a field goal there, the harsh reality is that there's about a quarter-and-a-half to go, and the defense has already been on the field for 58 snaps. Duke's going to lose this game, and may lose it by double digits, but what outcomes like this show is that Duke's main problem is now depth, and not frontline talent or coaching, as has been the case since Spurrier left.

Two years from now, Duke will win games like this one because they'll have enough players to finish off teams with top-25 talent and coaching.

The future looks bright indeed.

I hope you're right. I hate to see our guys work so hard and fall short.

[DukeCO2009]

No excuse for missing that FG, but two atrocious calls back to back (the grounding call and the missed PI) killed our momentum. The refs were simply horrible in the fourth quarter. I hate to complain about officiating, but some of the calls and no-calls (did you see the missed hold on Miami's last drive?!) were just plain awful.

[Poincaré]

Perfect example of how one egregious call can so dramatically change the momentum of the game... Our boys deserve big pats on their backs for a great season. Hopefully they've laid the foundations of something better to come.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

No excuse for missing that FG, but two atrocious calls back to back (the grounding call and the missed PI) killed our momentum. The refs were simply horrible in the fourth quarter. I hate to complain about officiating, but some of the calls and no-calls (did you see the missed hold on Miami's last drive?!) were just plain awful.

In the brief post game Coach Cutcliffe was still steamed about those calls. He told the listening audience that the score didn't reflect what actually happened today. He said that this time the best team didn't win, but that we can still have a .500 season.

[calltheobvious]

No excuse for missing that FG, but two atrocious calls back to back (the grounding call and the missed PI) killed our momentum. The refs were simply horrible in the fourth quarter. I hate to complain about officiating, but some of the calls (did you see the hold on Miami's last drive?!) were just plain awful.

The grounding call should never even have been a possibility. Second and goal from the six was probably, in Cutcliffe's mind, near-defnite four-down territory (down four points with an exhausted defense). Duke's shortest rushing gain on that possession was four yards, and Cutcliffe should have run it on second. A draw means a great chance to catch the defense off-guard for an easy score, or failing that, enough yardage to give lots of options with two downs to gain a couple of yards.

Of course if Cutcliffe wasn't thinking about four downs there, optimum play-calling strategy might be somewhat different. But there's no excuse for not thinking touchdown-or-bust there.

As for momentum, a touchdown there would have only delayed the inevitable. Duke wasn't going to stop Miami again the rest of the game.

[concrete]

wow, I was just about to post my sentiments about the game and the "intentional grounding" call.

I was at Dolphin stadium sitting in the alumni section. The stadium was not packed at all, showing that the fans probably overlooked this Duke team.

Anyway, throughout the game the student section boo'd the players and perhaps even the play calling. Not until the end of the 3rd and the 4th quarter did they really get excited. Chants of "Berry" (a la Jerry Springer) were heard in the 3rd and 4th.

The Intentional Grounding the subsequent missed FG took all the steam out of the team. It sucks because we were really looking good out there. But my buddies always say Miami is a 4th quarter team and they proved it again today.

[6th Man]

I thought Duke gave a great effort today. I hope they can stay upbeat and take out Wake next week to finish 6-6 and have momentum going to next season.

[devildeac]

wow, I was just about to post my sentiments about the game and the "intentional grounding" call.

I was at Dolphin stadium sitting in the alumni section. The stadium was not packed at all, showing that the fans probably overlooked this Duke team.

Anyway, throughout the game the student section boo'd the players and perhaps even the play calling. Not until the end of the 3rd and the 4th quarter did they really get excited. Chants of "Berry" (a la Jerry Springer) were heard in the 3rd and 4th.

The Intentional Grounding the subsequent missed FG took all the steam out of the team. It sucks because we were really looking good out there. But my buddies always say Miami is a 4th quarter team and they proved it again today.

Folks on the radio were incensed about those 2 calls. Cut seemed to be livid, too. Looked that way from the replays, too. Makes a whole lot of difference being up 23-20 instead of down 16-20 or 19-20. You gotta be kidding me about blaming the play calling. No way Cut can be criticized about his decisions there. If the correct calls/no calls are made by the stripes, we have an extra down and/or another 1st down inside the 10.

[calltheobvious]

Folks on the radio were incensed about those 2 calls. Cut seemed to be livid, too. Looked that way from the replays, too. Makes a whole lot of difference being up 23-20 instead of down 16-20 or 19-20. You gotta be kidding me about blaming the play calling. No way Cut can be criticized about his decisions there. If the correct calls/no calls are made by the stripes, we have an extra down and/or another 1st down inside the 10.

Um, no, I'm not kidding about the playcalling. I'm not arguing that the official's call was correct, nor, obviously, about the outcome of the play/series had the ruling been different.

I'm saying that given the circumstances, a run on 2nd and goal from the six had a higher expected pay-off than a pass, not least because the downside of a run is incredibly small. If Duke hadn't run the ball very well on that possession, I wouldn't have recommended a run there, but you simply can't ignore the in-drive rushing performance in thinking about the quality of the play-call. Nor should you decide that it was a good play-call just because it might have worked had the play been officiated better--clear hindsight bias.

Regardless, though, I think Cut's indignation here is a little overblown. If Miami had wanted to, they'd have punched in another touchdown at the end of the game. You can't while away the points Duke gave up in the fourth quarter just because they probably should have had an additional TD.

And not for nothing, but from a momentum standpoint the missed FG was far more damaging to Duke's psyche than not getting 7 there. Hell, had Duke come away with three there, the rage from that call might have given the defense enough hate-adrenaline to generate a stop that they couldn't have otherwise. But you can't alibi a missed 31-yd FG. You just can't.

[MulletMan]

Um, no, I'm not kidding about the playcalling. I'm not arguing that the official's call was correct, nor, obviously, about the outcome of the play/series had the ruling been different.

I'm saying that given the circumstances, a run on 2nd and goal from the six had a higher expected pay-off than a pass, not least because the downside of a run is incredibly small. If Duke hadn't run the ball very well on that possession, I wouldn't have recommended a run there, but you simply can't ignore the in-drive rushing performance in thinking about the quality of the play-call. Nor should you decide that it was a good play-call just because it might have worked had the play been officiated better--clear hindsight bias.

Regardless, though, I think Cut's indignation here is a little overblown. If Miami had wanted to, they'd have punched in another touchdown at the end of the game. You can't while away the points Duke gave up in the fourth quarter just because they probably should have had an additional TD.

And not for nothing, but from a momentum standpoint the missed FG was far more damaging to Duke's psyche than not getting 7 there. Hell, had Duke come away with three there, the rage from that call might have given the defense enough hate-adrenaline to generate a stop that they couldn't have otherwise. But you can't alibi a missed 31-yd FG. You just can't.

Were you watching the game? I mean really? If the back isn't tackled on the 2nd and 6, Duke scores a TD. You're actually saying that was a bad call? The screen was set up nearly perfectly.

[davekay1971]

The game didn't end up like we wanted, but I'm proud of our team. They fought Miami hard and the game wasn't decided until very late. It was a gutsy performance that fell apart at the end. I know this team is beyond moral victories, but this was, at least, a very respectable loss.

Duke has one game left to get to .500, both on the season, and in the ACC. That would be a huge statement for this season, to show that Duke has moved, in 2 years, from the ACC doormat to a middle-of-the-pack ACC team. That's a huge accomplishment.

Big game against Wake, at Wallace Wade. Here's hoping we end the season on a great note.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

The game didn't end up like we wanted, but I'm proud of our team. They fought Miami hard and the game wasn't decided until very late. It was a gutsy performance that fell apart at the end. I know this team is beyond moral victories, but this was, at least, a very respectable loss.

Duke has one game left to get to .500, both on the season, and in the ACC. That would be a huge statement for this season, to show that Duke has moved, in 2 years, from the ACC doormat to a middle-of-the-pack ACC team. That's a huge accomplishment.

Big game against Wake, at Wallace Wade. Here's hoping we end the season on a great note.

And here's hoping we can fill up the stadium for the Wake game.

The seniors on this team have worked hard and done much to help the program improve. One way to honor them is by being in Wallace Wade for Senior Day. Thad Lewis will finish up as the leader in QB's career yardage. He's moving up in the ACC records as well. Vince Oghobaase has been a rock for the defense. Vinny Rey has stepped up with tackles, interceptions and pick offs. This isn't even the entire list of seniors who've been solid players during their Duke careers.

[concrete]

Folks on the radio were incensed about those 2 calls. Cut seemed to be livid, too. Looked that way from the replays, too. Makes a whole lot of difference being up 23-20 instead of down 16-20 or 19-20. You gotta be kidding me about blaming the play calling. No way Cut can be criticized about his decisions there. If the correct calls/no calls are made by the stripes, we have an extra down and/or another 1st down inside the 10.

I was posting wayyy too fast lol.


My quote about the play callin was referencing the Miami fans booing their teams effort up until the 3rd quarter.

[devildeac]

Um, no, I'm not kidding about the playcalling. I'm not arguing that the official's call was correct, nor, obviously, about the outcome of the play/series had the ruling been different.

I'm saying that given the circumstances, a run on 2nd and goal from the six had a higher expected pay-off than a pass, not least because the downside of a run is incredibly small. If Duke hadn't run the ball very well on that possession, I wouldn't have recommended a run there, but you simply can't ignore the in-drive rushing performance in thinking about the quality of the play-call. Nor should you decide that it was a good play-call just because it might have worked had the play been officiated better--clear hindsight bias.

Regardless, though, I think Cut's indignation here is a little overblown. If Miami had wanted to, they'd have punched in another touchdown at the end of the game. You can't while away the points Duke gave up in the fourth quarter just because they probably should have had an additional TD.

And not for nothing, but from a momentum standpoint the missed FG was far more damaging to Duke's psyche than not getting 7 there. Hell, had Duke come away with three there, the rage from that call might have given the defense enough hate-adrenaline to generate a stop that they couldn't have otherwise. But you can't alibi a missed 31-yd FG. You just can't.

We have not run well inside the 10 or 20 all year. With the way TL has thrown the ball and our TE and WR, I think it's a good call. A fumble is just as devastating and probably equally likely. Your hindsight bias is just as obvious. But wait, what do you want? You disagree with the pass but wouldn't have recommended a run? Which one is it then? Call the play correctly AND call the PI on the next play with a DB holding our WR as he crosses the field. That way we get the extra down and don't lose the yardage and/or another 1st down with 3 more shots at the TD.

I don't think his indignation is overblown at all. In the post-game comments, his early words were "the better team didn't win today" (arguable point considering we gave up 480+ yards) and "I not sure what/how I'm gonna tell our guys about it." He can't criticize the refs unless he's got an extra few grand in his pocket to pay the fine next week.

TD at the end of the game? Irrelevant potentially if the right call/s are made earlier and we score 7 there. A FG there would have certainly been nice but I'm not excusing it. I'll take our walk-on kicker's performance this year compared to years past. Seven points lost there and the lead is far more important and would have been better and more critical. And you can't say the 4th quarter points miami scored would have been there or not had the proper call/s had been made. Our guys may react completely differently had we scored 3 OR 7 there.

Make the right calls on the field or at least review them (yea, probably not reviewable) and let the players/coaches win/lose the game.

[Kewlswim]

Hi,

I have a feeling the stadium will be incredibly empty. The team deserves better than that. :(

Go DUKE!!

[devildeac]

I was posting wayyy too fast lol.


My quote about the play callin was referencing the Miami fans booing their teams effort up until the 3rd quarter.

My reply was not related to yours. Sorry you interpreted it that way. I understood the UM fans and their booing. I was referring to another poster.

[Dukeface88]

And here's hoping we can fill up the stadium for the Wake game.

This is pretty unlikely, at least for the student section. The game is over Thanksgiving break, so there are going to be very few students even in Durham. As already said though, this group of seniors has been great. They deserve all kinds of credit for pulling the team up to where it is now.

[DukeCO2009]

Hi,

I have a feeling the stadium will be incredibly empty. The team deserves better than that. :(

Go DUKE!!

Unfortunately, I have a feeling you'll prove to be right. Thanksgiving break games are killer.

[Kewlswim]

Hi,

I won't Terp, but I think it isn't terping to say that VO could have made a difference--perhaps not in the outcome, but in the final score. I think we really missed him today. I hope he is well enough to play in his last eligible game as a Devil. Also, we got to play Thad for the whole game so we didn't have to burn another QB's redshirt today. I know that might not seem like much, but this guy might be important to us later on down the line.

I need to stop taking Duke football losses so hard. I would have thought as I got older losing would be easier. I think I've grown more competitive in some ways and not less.

GO DUKE!

[Kewlswim]

Duke gets all the calls...it was SO evident in this game.

grumble, grumble.

GO DUKE!

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

This is pretty unlikely, at least for the student section. The game is over Thanksgiving break, so there are going to be very few students even in Durham. As already said though, this group of seniors has been great. They deserve all kinds of credit for pulling the team up to where it is now.
I think it's time to cease using the student section as an index of the possible attendance. They are allotted only a few sections (3-4?). The rest of the stadium can be filled by people like you and me.

[Newton_14]

This is pretty unlikely, at least for the student section. The game is over Thanksgiving break, so there are going to be very few students even in Durham. As already said though, this group of seniors has been great. They deserve all kinds of credit for pulling the team up to where it is now.

It's not on the students. There section is only one small part. It's on fans like myself and others that live close enough to go to the game. And I already have my ticket. I hope all that can will join me. The team deserves our presence and support.

I watched the 1st half before heading out to Cameron for the basketball game. When I walked into Cameron we were up 16-13 and I really liked our chances to pull the upset. It was quite the shock to hear the final score. From reading the posts it sounds like we were right there in it all the way down to crunch time.

We should have gotten 7 instead of 3 two times in the 1st half and Miami's first touchdown was a joke. If the ball does not get deflected at the line, Vinnie has his 2nd pick of the day and Miami gets zero there. That was just an incredibly bad break there!!

But, .500 overall and in conference is right there for the taking. I believe in them and think they get it done against Wake.

That dang Richmond game with 30 kids recovering from the Swine Flu!! I knew it would haunt us in the end....

[6th Man]

You know Kewlswim...I assume you have been following Duke football for awhile like I have. I think finding some success after all of these years of losing makes these games tough to take. I know I want these guys to breakthrough and win games like today. Just not quite there yet, but we are definitely getting closer. Somehow we are going to have to find a running game next season which will start with recruiting some good offensive line prospects. Against the good teams we can't score inside the 10 because we can't open up any holes at all. A big difference in us winning and losing a game like today stems from Miami getting inside the 10 and running for TD's. We don't have the ability so when we have to throw, there is no room for the WR's to get open. That is a huge liability for us right now.

Anyway, I will be there Saturday for the Wake game, but am unfortunately anticipating a very small crowd as well. Wake has nothing to play for so I doubt they have too many fans coming. Another thing that will be critical for our program is to develop a bigger fanbase that consistantly attends games and gets loud for Duke. Even though we've had a great football season, and better crowds, I can't say that Wallace Wade has come "alive" yet. Hopefully that will come with winning, but the chance at 6-6 hasn't exactly achieved the support I was hoping for. Granted, a game Sat. after Thanksgiving with .500 on the line will probably on inspire the truest of Duke fans.

[Dukeface88]

I think it's time to cease using the student section as an index of the possible attendance. They are allotted only a few sections (3-4?). The rest of the stadium can be filled by people like you and me.

Well, the "you" in this case is part of the student section, so I do tend to notice it a bit more :). I certainly hope the game has good attendance otherwise.

[DU82]

Well, the "you" in this case is part of the student section, so I do tend to notice it a bit more :). I certainly hope the game has good attendance otherwise.

I'd guess there will be more than a few regulars in NYC the night before in the Garden for the NIT. Most probably aren't crazy enough (unlike me) to try to drive back in time for the football game at noon.

(Flying Thanksgiving weekend isn't easy, either.)

[allenmurray]

It's not on the students. There section is only one small part. It's on fans like myself and others that live close enough to go to the game. And I already have my ticket. I hope all that can will join me. The team deserves our presence and support.


allenmurray and wolfpackdevil will be there in fine form. We'll probably bring along wolfpackdevilslittlebrother and mrsallenmurray just for extra luck. Boozer, send me a PM so I can give you our seat locations and we can meet up.

[Newton_14]

allenmurray and wolfpackdevil will be there in fine form. We'll probably bring along wolfpackdevilslittlebrother and mrsallenmurray just for extra luck. Boozer, send me a PM so I can give you our seat locations and we can meet up.

AM, I will do just that! Thank you for the invite. I will PM you on Friday evening and we can set a place and time to meet. I am really hoping that Duke fans in the area will make it a point to come to the game. I have a neighbor who grew up in Durham and tells me of the days when 50,000+ filled up Wallace Wade with portable stands put up in the open end of the horseshoe. Wouldn't it be great to see a return to that kind of support??

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Well, the "you" in this case is part of the student section, so I do tend to notice it a bit more :). I certainly hope the game has good attendance otherwise.

I have heard from one of my student contacts on campus that there are students who are planning to return to campus early so they can attend the Wake game.

[Kewlswim]

You know Kewlswim...I assume you have been following Duke football for awhile like I have. I think finding some success after all of these years of losing makes these games tough to take. I know I want these guys to breakthrough and win games like today. Just not quite there yet, but we are definitely getting closer. Somehow we are going to have to find a running game next season which will start with recruiting some good offensive line prospects. Against the good teams we can't score inside the 10 because we can't open up any holes at all. A big difference in us winning and losing a game like today stems from Miami getting inside the 10 and running for TD's. We don't have the ability so when we have to throw, there is no room for the WR's to get open. That is a huge liability for us right now.

Anyway, I will be there Saturday for the Wake game, but am unfortunately anticipating a very small crowd as well. Wake has nothing to play for so I doubt they have too many fans coming. Another thing that will be critical for our program is to develop a bigger fanbase that consistantly attends games and gets loud for Duke. Even though we've had a great football season, and better crowds, I can't say that Wallace Wade has come "alive" yet. Hopefully that will come with winning, but the chance at 6-6 hasn't exactly achieved the support I was hoping for. Granted, a game Sat. after Thanksgiving with .500 on the line will probably on inspire the truest of Duke fans.

Hi,

I was at a Duke event talking to a young woman. It turned out she had graduated from Duke (makes sense). What wasn't so great was that she was born after I had already graduated from Duke. So, I guess I have to fess up that I have rooted for Duke football for a while. I doesn't mean I have to act my age though. ;)

Thanks for the words of encouragement. I get sick of announcers on TV who don't seem to understand that football is a game won at the line. Period. The offensive and defensive lines are where games are won or lost, always has been, always will be. We get enamored by the backs. Think of what Thad could have done if he was playing behind a better line.

I just sense we are so on the cusp of being great...not just good at football. We can get great players if they feel we can win. I am convinced of it.

Thanks for going to the game. I am on the other coast, so going to games is sort of hard. Poor excuse, I know.

GO DUKE!

[Kimist]

Unfortunately, I have a feeling you'll prove to be right. Thanksgiving break games are killer.

And to make matters even worse, any local "let's go to a football game at Duke today" fans may well be watching the unc-ncsu football game which is also a noon game.

k

[RelativeWays]

A bowl bid and a winning record would have been great but I can take a 6-6 record and still be pretty happy. Both teams are playing for pride but I think Wake has played a bit better as of late. We can win doing two things:

1. Not turning the ball over
2. Crushing Riley Skinner.