jimsumner
10-11-2016, 03:10 PM
Power back on at Sumner Estates. Thanks to the folks from Ohio or Nova Scotia or wherever who came down to fix Raleigh’s power grid.
Coaches are notorious for building up the next opponent. “This is one of VMI’s best teams ever.”
But nobody is doubting the strength of Duke’s next opponents, once-beaten Louisville.
David Cutcliffe called Louisville “every bit as good a team as we’ve played since we’ve been at Duke, if not the best team we’ve played.”
Extremely talented, physical, skilled, most productive quarterback in college football, deep, fast, “a huge and monumental challenge for us. People have tried to manage to stay on the field with them. We’ve got to work, work smart and minimize errors if we’re going to have any chance.”
You get the drift.
The short week-the game’s on Friday—doesn’t help the walking wounded. Jela Duncan and Austin Davis were described as walking around but not practicing.
Reading the tea leaves, with an open date following Louisville, I would be stunned to see either make the trip to Louisville.
Barring a complete disaster, Duke will not burn any redshirts. Brittain Brown and Scott Bracey will not play this season. Just not ready. Jaylen Miller is working some at center but Duke would likely play a walk-on before playing Miller at this stage of the season.
This likely leaves Wilson and Ajeigbe as the running backs until Duncan returns, with Zach Boden as the third option.
We might be close to seeing touted wide receiver Keyston Fuller. He was a healthy redshirt, last season, as a true freshman.
In addition to the short week, it’s fall break. Duke is trying its best to maintain a sense of continuity. But the players are getting to sleep later, work on papers and projects and focus on the game. Defensive end Dominic McDonald says he has more time to watch Louisville film.
He said he wasn’t having nightmares. He seemed sincere.
Duke did not look at any Army film, jumping straight to Louisville. Duke will look at the Army film before playing Georgia Tech, another option team.
The secret to stopping Louisville? Sticking to your assignments and focus on one play at a time. Cut suggested Duke would need 14 defenders but alas, will only be able to use 11. Louisville stretches the field vertically and horizontally and feasts on undisciplined defenses.
Unfortunately, they do well against disciplined defenses as well. But Duke’s defensive backs can’t lose their assignments when Jackson starts to scramble.
Duke is spending a lot of time trying to improve their run blocking. “Longer, inside drill work. You have to put yourself in position to finish blocks.”
Still, Duke isn’t likely to put together a lot of long, time-consuming, keep-Jackson-off-the-field-scoring drives, especially if Duncan and Davis aren’t cleared to go. Cut says Duke will have to take shots downfield, have to look for quick strikes in order to put points on the board.
T.J. Rahming says Duke will “spread the ball, doing what we do, getting back to what we do,” against Louisville. “Their defensive line allows their corners to play press. The receivers have to get open quick.”
Joe Giles-Harris says the key to Louisville is to not overthink things, expect to receive some “haymakers” and to “be able to respond once you get hit. Continue to bring the fight and not let them dictate what happens.”
Jackson? “We have to make sure we know what he’s doing every play. A big opportunity. You don’t get to play against someone like that every day. We’re looking forward to it. It’s an opportunity to show what we can do.”
I’m told that Duke absolutely would accept a bowl bid at 5-7 should circumstances present that option.
Coaches are notorious for building up the next opponent. “This is one of VMI’s best teams ever.”
But nobody is doubting the strength of Duke’s next opponents, once-beaten Louisville.
David Cutcliffe called Louisville “every bit as good a team as we’ve played since we’ve been at Duke, if not the best team we’ve played.”
Extremely talented, physical, skilled, most productive quarterback in college football, deep, fast, “a huge and monumental challenge for us. People have tried to manage to stay on the field with them. We’ve got to work, work smart and minimize errors if we’re going to have any chance.”
You get the drift.
The short week-the game’s on Friday—doesn’t help the walking wounded. Jela Duncan and Austin Davis were described as walking around but not practicing.
Reading the tea leaves, with an open date following Louisville, I would be stunned to see either make the trip to Louisville.
Barring a complete disaster, Duke will not burn any redshirts. Brittain Brown and Scott Bracey will not play this season. Just not ready. Jaylen Miller is working some at center but Duke would likely play a walk-on before playing Miller at this stage of the season.
This likely leaves Wilson and Ajeigbe as the running backs until Duncan returns, with Zach Boden as the third option.
We might be close to seeing touted wide receiver Keyston Fuller. He was a healthy redshirt, last season, as a true freshman.
In addition to the short week, it’s fall break. Duke is trying its best to maintain a sense of continuity. But the players are getting to sleep later, work on papers and projects and focus on the game. Defensive end Dominic McDonald says he has more time to watch Louisville film.
He said he wasn’t having nightmares. He seemed sincere.
Duke did not look at any Army film, jumping straight to Louisville. Duke will look at the Army film before playing Georgia Tech, another option team.
The secret to stopping Louisville? Sticking to your assignments and focus on one play at a time. Cut suggested Duke would need 14 defenders but alas, will only be able to use 11. Louisville stretches the field vertically and horizontally and feasts on undisciplined defenses.
Unfortunately, they do well against disciplined defenses as well. But Duke’s defensive backs can’t lose their assignments when Jackson starts to scramble.
Duke is spending a lot of time trying to improve their run blocking. “Longer, inside drill work. You have to put yourself in position to finish blocks.”
Still, Duke isn’t likely to put together a lot of long, time-consuming, keep-Jackson-off-the-field-scoring drives, especially if Duncan and Davis aren’t cleared to go. Cut says Duke will have to take shots downfield, have to look for quick strikes in order to put points on the board.
T.J. Rahming says Duke will “spread the ball, doing what we do, getting back to what we do,” against Louisville. “Their defensive line allows their corners to play press. The receivers have to get open quick.”
Joe Giles-Harris says the key to Louisville is to not overthink things, expect to receive some “haymakers” and to “be able to respond once you get hit. Continue to bring the fight and not let them dictate what happens.”
Jackson? “We have to make sure we know what he’s doing every play. A big opportunity. You don’t get to play against someone like that every day. We’re looking forward to it. It’s an opportunity to show what we can do.”
I’m told that Duke absolutely would accept a bowl bid at 5-7 should circumstances present that option.