FB: Duke 36, N Ill 14 (Quick Lane Bowl Champs!)

[CameronBornAndBred]

Per ESPN


Quick Lane Bowl
Duke vs. TBD
5:15 p.m., ESPN
Ford Field
Detroit


http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/page/cfpbowls2017/2017-18-college-football-playoff-bowl-schedule

[OldPhiKap]

What hotel is the team hotel, and how far from the stadium?

What is there to do in Detroit if I have to kill a day after the game?

Delta is apparently ready if I am.

[Reilly]

What hotel is the team hotel, and how far from the stadium?

What is there to do in Detroit if I have to kill a day after the game?

Delta is apparently ready if I am.

Go to Lions site. Links ACC hotel. Walking distance to Ford Field. Motown and Canada.

[CameronBlue]

What hotel is the team hotel, and how far from the stadium?

What is there to do in Detroit if I have to kill a day after the game?

Delta is apparently ready if I am.

Well I'm driving to Detroit in a muscle car, my Toyota Corolla.

[OldPhiKap]

Go to Lions site. Links ACC hotel. Walking distance to Ford Field. Motown and Canada.

Wow, that home page is a mess. Don’t see the link.

Last time I was in Detroit (closing of the old Tiger Stadium) all I heard from locals was how I should go to the casinos in Canada.

Edit: google suggests the Greektown casino hotel?

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

What hotel is the team hotel, and how far from the stadium?

What is there to do in Detroit if I have to kill a day after the game?

Delta is apparently ready if I am.

A day trip out to Dearborn could be a good choice. If you're lein history, industrialization and the dawn of simple technology, try the Henry Ford. There's a tour of the River Rouge Plant available. https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village/

I want to see the Motown Museum.

[arnie]

A day trip out to Dearborn could be a good choice. If you're lein history, industrialization and the dawn of simple technology, try the Henry Ford. There's a tour of the River Rouge Plant available. https://www.thehenryford.org/visit/greenfield-village/

Duke vs Northen Illinois

[Bob Green]

It appears our opponent will be Northern Illinois:


Brett McMurphy‏Verified account
@Brett_McMurphy

Sources: Duke vs. Northern Illinois in Quick Lane Bowl

[arnie]

It appears our opponent will be Northern Illinois:

Yea, they won 2 of 3 from the directional Michigan schools and 3 pt loss to BC

[asbcheeks]

Go to Lions site. Links ACC hotel. Walking distance to Ford Field. Motown and Canada.

This happened there yesterday, FYI: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2017/12/02/greektown-hotel-shooting-detroit/915970001/

(Just booked there nevertheless.)

[CrazyNotCrazie]

We went to a Lions game a few years ago and stayed at the Book Cadillac Westin which was very nice and a very short walk from the stadium. We are trying to figure out whether we can make this trip - unfortunately not looking good due to previous commitments.

[OldPhiKap]

This happened there yesterday, FYI: https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/detroit/2017/12/02/greektown-hotel-shooting-detroit/915970001/

(Just booked there nevertheless.)

Saw that. Booked a room anyway just in case.

Saw it was voted best poker room in Detroit too, FWIW. . . .

[Papa John]

But while you can absolutely say OSU losses are absolutely worse than Alabamas. You also can't dispute that OSU's best wins are way better than Bama's. Whether or not you agree, I'm sure the committee agrees with its own ratings and by that measure, OSU has THREE wins better than ANY win Alabama has. I don't think FSU being bad matters too much. It's not a good win any way you slice it. If the knock on Bama was that they scheduled soft (like people said about Washington last year) that would be one thing, but the knock is that they didn't beat anyone who's that great, which is a different thing. While people make fun of the Merced game, no one said "they didn't try to play anyone". I don't know what they'll ultimately do, but it's certainly not "yeah, they won't do that" kind of dismissive.

Again, at the end of the day, given all of the inputs, the bottom line was 1L < 2L. Quite frankly, I'd love to see a play-in game between Alabama and OSU--it would be entertaining as heck. But at the end of the day, I think the committee got it right (and it's a bit of poetic justice to see Meyer and OSU on the outside looking in the year after they set the precedent for a non-conference-champion being selected as the fourth team).

[ehdg]

It appears our opponent will be Northern Illinois:

Interesting wasn’t expecting them? How good are they?

[YmoBeThere]

FWIW, they tried to implode the main supports for the Pontiac Silverdome today. They were not successful.

[arnie]

Interesting wasn’t expecting them? How good are they?

Sagarin says we’re 7-8 pts better.

[Bob Green]

Interesting wasn’t expecting them? How good are they?

Sagarin ranks them at #68 compared to Duke at #38. NIU went 8-4 including a 3 point loss (23-20) at home to Boston College, but the game was at the beginning of the season when BC was struggling. NIU will be a solid opponent. I expect Duke will be favored.

[OldPhiKap]

FWIW, they tried to implode the main supports for the Pontiac Silverdome today. They were not successful.

They’re waiting for the fourth quarter to implode, apparently.

(Stole that joke from a local Detroit guy)

NIU apparently had the best defense in their conference if I am not confusing things.

[richardjackson199]

They’re waiting for the fourth quarter to implode, apparently.

(Stole that joke from a local Detroit guy)

NIU apparently had the best defense in their conference if I am not confusing things.

May be another good game to take the under

[Reilly]

Wow, that home page is a mess. Don’t see the link.

Last time I was in Detroit (closing of the old Tiger Stadium) all I heard from locals was how I should go to the casinos in Canada.

Edit: google suggests the Greektown casino hotel?

I got there by googling "Lions Quick Lane bowl" ... it was also linked in the bowl vigil thread:

http://www.detroitlions.com/quicklanebowl.html

[Bob Green]

ESPN3 replay of Western Michigan vs. Northern Illinois:

http://www.espn.com/watch/player?id=3203312

[peloton]

I just might have to make this trip to the Motor City. My (relatively new) brother-in-law grew up there before migrating down south to the Triangle several years ago. He's already said he'd like to go and show me around his hometown. He was hoping that his alma mater CMU would be Duke's opponent though. I will say that he's become somewhat of a Duke fan after marrying my sis and joining our Duke fan filled family.

By the way, I believe our opponent is NC State coach Dave Doeren's previous coaching gig.

Go Duke!

[OldPhiKap]

I got there by googling "Lions Quick Lane bowl" ... it was also linked in the bowl vigil thread:

http://www.detroitlions.com/quicklanebowl.html

Thanks, it is Greektown. $165 or so a night for the ACC block, king bed.

Look good like DaughterPK and I are considering it seriously. Which usually trends towards the adventure happening.

[nmduke2001]

I lived in Dearborn for about five years in the early 2000s. The Henry Ford Museum is really cool. I would suggest taking the tour of the Rouge plant (tour through the museum). You can also tour Henry Ford's home. The home cost over $2 million to build back in 1914.

If you're in Dearborn head over to a little bar called Millers. They have great burgers served up on wax paper. Burgers, fries and onion rings are the only thing on the menu. If you show up at lunch be prepared to wait.

Detroit has Greektown. People like the casinos there. The food in greektown is good and if you like soul food, Detroit has a lot of spots. Ford Field is great. Really nice place to see a game.

Windsor Canada is just south (yes south) of Detroit. Take the bridge or the tunnel but you'll need your passport. Windsor is kind of nice. More casinos there.

Detroit can be brutally cold in December so pack accordingly.

Btw, if you're in the market for a used car, it's worth looking at the local ads. Basically everyone in Michigan can find a way to get employee pricing on cars. That creates a really bad resale environment but great if you want a used car.

[Reilly]

per Twitter, each player gets $550 of value ...

- fathead of each player with their likeness
- JBL bluetooth headphones
- $175 Best Buy gift card
- QLB backpack and luggage
- QLB football and mini-helmet

Each head coach getting a Shinola (Detroit based) luxury watch.

[BD80]

What hotel is the team hotel, and how far from the stadium?

What is there to do in Detroit if I have to kill a day after the game?

Delta is apparently ready if I am.


Thanks, it is Greektown. $165 or so a night for the ACC block, king bed.

Look good like DaughterPK and I are considering it seriously. Which usually trends towards the adventure happening.


We went to a Lions game a few years ago and stayed at the Book Cadillac Westin which was very nice and a very short walk from the stadium. We are trying to figure out whether we can make this trip - unfortunately not looking good due to previous commitments.

The Book Cadillac is a nice hotel. Bit of a walk to the Greektown area night life.

The MGM Grand is probably a nicer hotel/casino than the Greektown hotel/casino, but the area isn't as convenient. Not a far walk to the stadium, but not a recommended walk.

Greektown is kind of a focal point for nightlife in downtown Detroit. The street layout in the area is ludicrous.

I highly recommend Vicente's Cuban Cuisine a few blocks from Greektown. Reservations required.




FWIW, they tried to implode the main supports for the Pontiac Silverdome today. They were not successful.


They’re waiting for the fourth quarter to implode, apparently.

(Stole that joke from a local Detroit guy)

...

The history of the Lions, Detroiters left waiting for something to happen.

[peloton]

I guess they're nice watches and all, but I don't know s:p:pt from shinola when it comes to really nice watches.

[BD80]

I guess they're nice watches and all, but I don't know s:p:pt from shinola when it comes to really nice watches.

Then you'll be able to find some really good deals on the walk to the stadium from the - um - "street venders."

[Reilly]

Sagarin says we’re 7-8 pts better.

SRS says we're not even 3 points better:

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2017-ratings.html

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

The Westin Book Cadillac is where Duke's opponents and fans will be staying.

[weezie]

Oh man, I should be booking flights but this whole family/Christmas/children home for short time thing is looking unworkable.

I promise I will come up with some restaurants in the next few days, but to get started, check this out for activities: https://detroit.curbed.com/maps/things-to-do-detroit

Get dining reservations NOW at this spectacularly designed place, lunch or dinner: http://www.detroitfoundationhotel.com/apparatus-room/

Terrific wings downtown, order them WELL DONE: http://sweetwatertavern.net/

Detroit is a hard drinking town. Bars are terrific, dress is easy going. It's a great sports town, even if we stink at everything.

[Reilly]

NIU is better than Army, UVa, and Pitt (per SRS) -- three teams we lost to.

Point differential, in order, for NIU and Duke.


#54 NIU (#74 offense; #36 defense)

+46 ball state (#125)
+31 @bgsu (#117)
+28 eastern illini (fcs)
+21 kent st (#122)
+04 @nebraska (#63)
+04 wmu (#77)
+03 emu (#89)
+01 @buffalo (#83)
-------------------------------
-03 bc (#27)
-06 @sdsu (#40)
-07 @cmu (#85)
-10 @toledo (#37)

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2017-ratings.html



#41 Duke (#73 offense; #30 defense) (2.79 points better than NIU on neutral field)

+53 nccu (fcs)
+24 nu (#21)
+23 gt (#38)
+14 baylor (#97)
+10 @unc (#74)
+08 @wfu (#22)
---------------------------------
-05 @army (#61)
-07 @uva (#64)
-07 fsu (#34)
-07 pitt (#66)
-21 @vt (#20)
-25 miami (#12)

[Reilly]

...

Terrific wings downtown, order them WELL DONE: http://sweetwatertavern.net/

...

Looks like the photo at the site was taken in July?

[OldPhiKap]

Tickets ordered, flights set, hotel reserved.

Have not decided on the Duke pre-game thingy or not yet. They’re fun, but don’t need a buffet at 4 in the afternoon.

BIL cannot make it unfortunately, always enjoy bowl games with him and NephewPK. Would have blown off the Pinstripe but for BIL making it happen. Will try to carry the banner for them.

[weezie]

Check out Jack White's Third Man recording/pressing studio and store. Interesting joint. Shinola store is over-rated and $$$. MOCA is usually good depending on the current exhibits.

DIA has the terrific Diego Rivera mural and a wonderful permanent collection. Across the street from DIA is the Detroit Historical Museum.

Pistons are in town at the brand-spanking new Little Caesars Arena! Go see Luke after the football game!

Even the airport is swell!
https://detroit.eater.com/2016/11/22/13717568/eat-detroit-metropolitan-airport-dtw-best-food-restaurants


Gee whiz, now I'm making myself sad. I could have chartered a bus and driven all of you around! Just think of the tip money I could have made! :)

[OldPhiKap]

Check out Jack White's Third Man recording/pressing studio and store. Interesting joint. Shinola store is over-rated and $$$. MOCA is usually good depending on the current exhibits.

DIA has the terrific Diego Rivera mural and a wonderful permanent collection. Across the street from DIA is the Detroit Historical Museum.

Pistons are in town at the brand-spanking new Little Caesars Arena! Go see Luke after the football game!

Gee whiz, now I'm making myself sad. I could have chartered a bus and driven all of you around! Just think of the tip money I could have made! :)

Is there public transport over to Windsor, or do I need to rent a car? Would like to avoid car rental if possible but DaughterPK wants to have breakfast in Canada and explore Windsor before the game.

[Reilly]

Tickets ordered ...

Game tix? This bowl draws like 20K ... given that, I'm curious what seats they allot the schools.

[OldPhiKap]

Game tix? This bowl draws like 20K ... given that, I'm curious what seats they allot the schools.

Game tix. Ordered through Duke to be in the right section.

I am sure that seats will be plentiful.

[Reilly]

... have breakfast in Canada and explore Windsor ...

From Jaurez to Windsor: OPK's Duke Bowl Travelguide

[CameronBornAndBred]

Interesting joint.

Even the airport is swell!

Gee whiz, now I'm making myself sad.

I have a great craving to fire up Grease or Leave It To Beaver. :cool:

[OldPhiKap]

From Jaurez to Windsor: OPK's Duke Bowl Travelguide

“You must spread some Comments around before commenting on Reilly again.”

But you raise a great question — are Canadian tattoos different? Like adding random u’s to colour and such?

(And I’ll give a plug again for El Paso and the Sun Bowl —would do that trip again in a heartbeat)

[OZZIE4DUKE]

“You must spread some Comments around before commenting on Reilly again.”

But you raise a great question — are Canadian tattoos different? Like adding random u’s to colour and such?

(And I’ll give a plug again for El Paso and the Sun Bowl —would do that trip again in a heartbeat)
Eh?

LGD GTHc!

[OldPhiKap]

Eh?

LGD GTHc!

Looking to get a “9F” tattoo. But, as you warn, not a “9F, eh?” tat.

[arnie]

SRS says we're not even 3 points better:

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2017-ratings.html

Early betting lines now set - Duke is a 2.5 point favorite. I thought it would be higher.

[Bob Green]

VegasInsider.com has Duke as a 3.5 points favorite with the over/under set at 49 points. Total points scored were "under" in nine of 12 Duke games this season:

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/teams/team-page.cfm/team/duke

[arnie]

VegasInsider.com has Duke as a 3.5 points favorite with the over/under set at 49 points. Total points scored were "under" in nine of 12 Duke games this season:

http://www.vegasinsider.com/college-football/teams/team-page.cfm/team/duke

Interesting that we covered the line in all our wins: and our opponent covered in all our losses, except for the “push” against FSU. That kind of tells me we played well in our wins and generally played poorly in our losses. May seem obvious, but in other years I recall slipping by inferior opponents or nearly beating a few teams when we were clearly the underdog.

[kako]

I thought this bowl was supposed to match a Big 10 team vs. an ACC team... so why Northern Illinois? Not enough bowl-eligible in the Big 10?

[BD80]

... I could have chartered a bus and driven all of you around! Just think of the tip money I could have made! :)

An uber Uber?

[Reilly]

Six bowl match-ups ranked worse than Duke/NIU:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ranking-all-39-college-football-bowl-games-from-boca-raton-to-sugar-bowl/

[BigWayne]

I thought this bowl was supposed to match a Big 10 team vs. an ACC team... so why Northern Illinois? Not enough bowl-eligible in the Big 10?

Big 10 has 9 preset bowl spots and only 8 teams. However, they got an extra slot in the big six bowls so they actually are two teams short and need replacement teams for both the QuickLane and Heart of Dallas bowls.

[OldPhiKap]

Six bowl match-ups ranked worse than Duke/NIU:

https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/ranking-all-39-college-football-bowl-games-from-boca-raton-to-sugar-bowl/

I’ll say this in opposition:

1. In the Cutcliffe era, I think all of the Bowl games have been highly entertaining. Belk was a game until two minutes left; Peach-fil-A against Johnny Football was epic; Sun Bowl was a back and forth lead change in the fourth quarter; Pinstripe was a thriller.

2. Many folks are off 12/26, and there is no bowl competing on TV. We get all the eyes.

3. I live in SEC country, where folks don’t really care for Coach K or college basketball really. But they LOVE Cutcliffe, or at minimum really respect what he has done and what he stands for. The Bowl may not score big in the Bristol CT market, but will do well in the Bristol TN market and all throughout the south.

4. If both teams show up, I think the post-Bowl ranking of exciting bowls will be in the top third or quarter. I don’t blame folks for looking at our 6-6 record and saying “meh.” But the last two games were strong. If we play like that, it should be a fun game.

[Atldukie79]

NIU is better than Army, UVa, and Pitt (per SRS) -- three teams we lost to.

Point differential, in order, for NIU and Duke.


#54 NIU (#74 offense; #36 defense)

+46 ball state (#125)
+31 @bgsu (#117)
+28 eastern illini (fcs)
+21 kent st (#122)
+04 @nebraska (#63)
+04 wmu (#77)
+03 emu (#89)
+01 @buffalo (#83)
-------------------------------
-03 bc (#27)
-06 @sdsu (#40)
-07 @cmu (#85)
-10 @toledo (#37)

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2017-ratings.html



#41 Duke (#73 offense; #30 defense) (2.79 points better than NIU on neutral field)

+53 nccu (fcs)
+24 nu (#21)
+23 gt (#38)
+14 baylor (#97)
+10 @unc (#74)
+08 @wfu (#22)
---------------------------------
-05 @army (#61)
-07 @uva (#64)
-07 fsu (#34)
-07 pitt (#66)
-21 @vt (#20)
-25 miami (#12)

Great post! Interesting that we played 4 teams ranked higher than any that NIU played (#12,#20,#21,#22), winning 2 and losing 2.
NIU's best win was #63 (Nebraska...a nice brand name) We beat 3 teams with much better rankings.

Whatever the "eye test" might tell you, we clearly had a more challenging schedule, and beat better teams. (Duh)

[sagegrouse]

I thought this bowl was supposed to match a Big 10 team vs. an ACC team... so why Northern Illinois? Not enough bowl-eligible in the Big 10?

Well, one reason is that Northern Illinois is better than the U. of Illinois.

[weezie]

An uber Uber?

A super duber uber Uber.

I'm granting you permission to take over my idea.

[OldPhiKap]

A super duber uber Uber.

I'm granting you permission to take over my idea.

If you were a potato, you would be a super duper uber Uber tuber.

But that would be silly.

Speaking of, kinda, for what food is Detroit known?

[devildeac]

If you were a potato, you would be a super duper uber Uber tuber.

But that would be silly.

Speaking of, kinda, for what food is Detroit known?

Wings, of course. Red Wings. (I'm guessing here :o:rolleyes:.)

[OldPhiKap]

Wings, of course. Red Wings. (I'm guessing here :o:rolleyes:.)

Wouldn’t that be octopus on ice?

[Reilly]

... for what food is Detroit known?

Just googling around ...

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/detroit/detroit-s-best-food-50-things-to-eat-before-you-die

https://detroit.eater.com/maps/best-detroit-dishes-food

[Bob Green]

So I've been lurking over at the NIU Dog Pound and there is a thread stating starting cornerback Shawun Lurry had surgery on his wrist and will be out for the Quick Lane Bowl. Lurry had an 86 yard Pick 6 against Nebraska:

http://csnbbs.com/thread-836154.html

I registered for an account Sunday evening but as of this morning it has not been activated so I cannot post yet. Perhaps they don't want Duke fans invading or perhaps someone over there knows me...:rolleyes:

[BD80]

... Speaking of, kinda, for what food is Detroit known?

Detroit has several "ethnic regions" such a Polish community centered in Hamtramck, which has some very good Polish restaurants and bakeries.

Many non-Michiganders do not realize that Detroit has the largest Arab-American population in the country, and thus some of the finest Arabic or Mediterranean restaurants in the country. They are all over the Detroit area, but the greatest concentration, and some of the finest, are in Dearborn, west of the city, east of the airport and surrounding the Ford headquarters and Ford museum.

Faced with an onslaught of in-laws from Indiana for Thanksgiving last year and unforeseen logistical challenges, we catered a Mediterranean meal for the event. It was a complete success. Some had never even heard of most of the dishes and were just astonished that such marvelous food had eluded them for decades. Sadly, they are having difficulty finding decent Mediterranean cuisine in Indianapolis to sate their new cravings.

[Reilly]

... Faced with an onslaught of in-laws from Indiana for Thanksgiving last year ...

When things look bleak, it can help to recall how others through history have survived dire circumstances, and we have yet another example.

[budwom]

Historically, Cutcliffe has had very good game plans when he's taken Duke to bowls...clearly should have beaten Cincy, roaring start vs A&M that had more overall talent....
I suspect we'll play pretty well...lots of time to prepare. And we're happy going to ANY bowl this year...

[Reilly]

Cbssports.com has an article up about confidence bowl picks noting NIU won 50.4% of 10,000 simulations so that game was the most pick 'em game of all the bowls.

[ohioguy2]

Eat at Hockey Town Cafe or either of the two coney places downtown. Visit Little Caesar’s Arena if the Pistons or Wings are playing, it is a great venue. Drink downtown at many of the fine old establishments including one in an old bus depots. There are many other eateries within walking distance of Ford Field in downtown. Our son (Duke grad) and I have frequented several of them and all are good. I plan on being at the game with our son and grandson.

I woul reccomend visiting Tony Packo’s in Toledo but I 75 South is closed making the trip a nightmare.

Detroit is making a great comeback.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

When considering where you'd like to eat while in Detroit, the list of restaurants open on Sunday, Dec. 24, and Monday, December 25, will be a short list even in some hotels.

[weezie]

Just googling around ...

https://www.thrillist.com/eat/detroit/detroit-s-best-food-50-things-to-eat-before-you-die

https://detroit.eater.com/maps/best-detroit-dishes-food

#6 on the Detroit Eater site, Al-Ameer is terrific!

Slows BBQ, meh, don't waste your time. I did go to school to learn new things.

Supino's Pizza is great.

[Reilly]

When considering where you'd like to eat while in Detroit, the list of restaurants open on Sunday, Dec. 24, and Monday, December 25, will be a short list even in some hotels.

Just swing by BD80's -- say you're one of the Indiana relatives if he acts like he doesn't know you.

The Quick Lane Bowl is thinking of just this -- list of Detroit restaurants open Christmas Day:

http://www.detroitlions.com/assets/pdf/Open-on-Christmas-Day.pdf

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Just swing by BD80's -- say you're one of the Indiana relatives if he acts like he doesn't know you.

The Quick Lane Bowl is thinking of just this -- list of Detroit restaurants open Christmas Day:

http://www.detroitlions.com/assets/pdf/Open-on-Christmas-Day.pdf

I looked over that list a couple of days ago when I first began the search for restaurants which will be open. Roast, for example, is closed following a fire a few weeks ago. It's expected to reopen December 26. Fortunately for Duke fans, it's in the hotel for N. Ill. and not the hotel designated for Duke. In most cities the restaurants which are open on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day tend to be in hotels. I'm learning that there are notable exceptions to that notion.

I've also checked out various listings of restaurants (like in the Free Press) which will be open the 24th. and/or the 25th. The majority aren't downtown and would likely require a car to get there... a personal favorite, Buca di Beppo, is out on Six Mile Rd.

There's always room service!;)

[weezie]

https://detroit.curbed.com/2017/12/6/16738970/detroit-airport-guide-hotel-map-food


Another resource for info.

[Bob Green]

Press conference link:

http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&id=6230970

Coach Cutcliffe and NIU Coach Rod Carey answered some questions today.

[ohioguy2]

Grab a couple or more coney dogs then hit a bar. A great way to spend Christmas.

[ohioguy2]

Grand Trunk Pub. Woodward Avenue. A must for those who love iconic bars. Good bar food. In most lists of best bars in the area.

[OldPhiKap]

Press conference link:

http://www.goduke.com/mediaPortal/player.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=4200&id=6230970

Coach Cutcliffe and NIU Coach Rod Carey answered some questions today.

Most of the questions for NIU’s coach, interesting although maybe not unexpected given the geography.

We are certainly the visiting team.

[OldPhiKap]

Like Bob Green, I have also put in for approval to post on the NIU board.

Not sure what they are reading, someone posted that Duke fans expect to win by 50. Cannot fathom where that poster would get that. This will be close to a pick-em game one way or the other.

Lots of criticism of their coach’s prior press conference, I guess he trashed going to that bowl? Don’t know the back story but seemed to be lots of comments. I though their coach did very well in the Bowl PC with Cut.

This should be a fun and competitive game.

[weezie]

Grand Trunk Pub. Woodward Avenue. A must for those who love iconic bars. Good bar food. In most lists of best bars in the area.

Yes, this is a great old dumpy place. Watch out for those Coney dogs in Detroit though...they can wreak havoc if over indulged in!

[Dev11]

Just swing by BD80's -- say you're one of the Indiana relatives if he acts like he doesn't know you.

The Quick Lane Bowl is thinking of just this -- list of Detroit restaurants open Christmas Day:

http://www.detroitlions.com/assets/pdf/Open-on-Christmas-Day.pdf

Speaking on behalf of the chosen people, you're all invited to pretend that you're Jewish on Christmas and find Chinese food. Surely Detroit has something in that arena.

[Reilly]

Speaking on behalf of the chosen people, you're all invited to pretend that you're Jewish on Christmas and find Chinese food. Surely Detroit has something in that arena.

I actually thought of that and googled around on that topic -- West Bloomfield and those suburbs came up with the most hits, it seemed.

[CameronBornAndBred]

How many weeks does the team get to practice? Have they started yet?

[Reilly]

NIU coach said his team already used up three of their practices (I'm guessing they are limited).

When are Duke's exams?

Team arrives Dec 22 per info on Quick Lane Bowl site (and Duke fans are to gather at Firebird Tavern):

Accommodations, Activities and Special Events:
•Both teams will arrive in Detroit December 22 and stay at Greektown Casino Hotel (ACC) and the Westin Book Cadillac Detroit (MAC).
•Punch Bowl Social (MAC) and Firebird Tavern (ACC) have been named the official restaurants and bars for each team’s fans.
•A welcome reception at the historic The Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation will include a private tour of the museum highlighted by a ‘life after football’ panel discussion that includes Detroit Lions alumni.
•Team guests will experience:
•Shopping outing at Somerset Collection, an upscale, luxury, super-regional shopping mall in Metro Detroit.
•Build-A-Bear – kids will have an opportunity to create their own stuffed animals.
•Fowling – a local Detroit favorite and increasingly popular hybrid game that combines elements of football, bowling and horseshoes.
•Ice skating in the iconic downtown Detroit Campus Martius circle on Christmas Day.
•The Detroit Historical Museum - chronicles the history of the Detroit area from cobblestone streets, 19th century stores, the auto assembly line, toy trains, fur trading from the 18th century, and much more
•Science Center – An interactive museum of science designed to entertain and inform children and adults of all ages
•Gleaners Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan – Team and travel party will help pack potatoes and school weekend bags of food that will help make a difference in the lives of the hungry in Southeastern Michigan. Over past 3 years at Gleaners, the athletes have fed 26,600 families.
•The Parade Company Studio Tour – experience a behind the scenes look at America’s Thanksgiving Parade.
•Additionally, a local Detroit PAL (Police Athletic League) football team will receive new uniforms (jersey and pants) from Nike and football pads and helmets from Riddell.

[budwom]

When I checked a few days ago, the general tenor on the NIU board was that their team was not thrilled to be playing during the holidays, and their coach was dissing the Quick Lane Bowl.
Duke would appear to be in a better mental place, if you will, though how that translates into results on the field is strictly TBD. I'm expecting a close game.
Cut has generally had good game plans for Duke bowls, given the copious time to prepare. Hopefully it bears fruit this time.

[CameronBornAndBred]

When I checked a few days ago, the general tenor on the NIU board was that their team was not thrilled to be playing during the holidays, and their coach was dissing the Quick Lane Bowl.


Was curious about that. Found his comment.


“I don’t know if we’re really fired up about Detroit, but I think we’ve got a fine opponent in Duke,” NIU coach Rod Carey said. “I’m sure the people in Detroit will be great. Everyone likes to go somewhere for a bowl game, right? We’ll make it fun and go up north.”
http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/03/niu-football-huskies-to-face-duke-in-quick-lane-bowl/dpgt5ur/

[BigWayne]

How many weeks does the team get to practice? Have they started yet?

There are "recommendations" that limit amounts of practice each week, but the main limit is when your bowl game is. You can only practice before the game occurs so later scheduled games increase the amount of practice you can have.

http://www.ncaa.org/about/resources/media-center/news/football-practice-guidelines-updated

[Hingeknocker]

Was curious about that. Found his comment.


“I don’t know if we’re really fired up about Detroit, but I think we’ve got a fine opponent in Duke,” NIU coach Rod Carey said. “I’m sure the people in Detroit will be great. Everyone likes to go somewhere for a bowl game, right? We’ll make it fun and go up north.”



This is a weird way to approach a bowl game. I guess he's making the point that they're heading to a northern bowl, as opposed to one of the more southern bowl locales? But I looked it up, and De Kalb, IL is at 41.92°N while Detroit is at 42.33°N. They're hardly traveling "up north" at all.

I will not mind at all, though, if the NIU players/coaches are not excited about this game and show up unmotivated.

[Mike Corey]

Coach Cutcliffe: Inspiration. Exhilaration. Motivation.

Coach Whatever: Meh.

[Reilly]

This is a weird way to approach a bowl game. I guess he's making the point that they're heading to a northern bowl, as opposed to one of the more southern bowl locales? But I looked it up, and De Kalb, IL is at 41.92°N while Detroit is at 42.33°N. They're hardly traveling "up north" at all.

I will not mind at all, though, if the NIU players/coaches are not excited about this game and show up unmotivated.

If a degree of latitude is 68.703 miles, and 42.33 - 41.92 = 0.41 degree of latitude north, that's 28.168 miles north, or (63,360 inches per mile x 28.168 miles) = 1,784,739.05 inches north, divided by a standard 8-inch cinder block = 223,092 cinder blocks north.

Not sure how many PK80 trophy's north that would be.

[Reilly]

Looks like MAC teams are going to:

Detroit - NIU (8-4, 6-2)
Boise - CMU (8-4, 6-2)

Boca - Akron (7-6, 6-3)
Bahamas - Oho (8-4, 5-3)
Mobile - Toledo (11-2, 8-1)

Is the champ (Toledo this year) locked into Mobile? If so, then it's a 50/50 chance of warm (Boca, Bahamas) and cold (Boise, Detroit).

Everyone no doubt agrees the coach shouldn't voice displeasure of the gift of a bowl game and a week in Detroit at Christmas time, but when Boca or the Bahamas were possibilities, as Chris Rock would say, "I understand."

[budwom]

This is a weird way to approach a bowl game. I guess he's making the point that they're heading to a northern bowl, as opposed to one of the more southern bowl locales? But I looked it up, and De Kalb, IL is at 41.92°N while Detroit is at 42.33°N. They're hardly traveling "up north" at all.

I will not mind at all, though, if the NIU players/coaches are not excited about this game and show up unmotivated.

I suspect (regardless of his geographic confusion) that at 8-4, beating Duke in a minor bowl is not a scintillating proposition, as opposed to playing a bigger name team in a better bowl.
Duke has enough sense to appreciate going to ANY bowl this year. Here's hoping NIU is uninspired.

[Bob Green]

Duke linebacker Joe Giles-Harris and Northern Illinois defensive end Sutton Smith named PFF All American:

7896

https://www.profootballfocus.com/news/2017-pff-all-american-team

[OldPhiKap]

I suspect (regardless of his geographic confusion) that at 8-4, beating Duke in a minor bowl is not a scintillating proposition, as opposed to playing a bigger name team in a better bowl.
Duke has enough sense to appreciate going to ANY bowl this year. Here's hoping NIU is uninspired.

I also think they play their conference championship game there, and have been in that game fairly consistently, so another trip to Detroit is not a destination trip for them.

Having said that, it is easy driving distance from the campus and I expect a big NIU turnout.

[BD80]

Speaking on behalf of the chosen people, you're all invited to pretend that you're Jewish on Christmas and find Chinese food. Surely Detroit has something in that arena.


I actually thought of that and googled around on that topic -- West Bloomfield and those suburbs came up with the most hits, it seemed.

Google is spot on.

[OldPhiKap]

So — who is actually going or still pondering it?

I’ll be there with DaughterPK. I’ve been to the last five, no reason to stop now.

If you’ve never been to a bowl and you are within the distance of a reasonable drive, it’s a hell of a lot of fun!

[devildeac]

So — who is actually going or still pondering it?

I’ll be there with DaughterPK. I’ve been to the last five, no reason to stop now.

If you’ve never been to a bowl and you are within the distance of a reasonable drive, it’s a hell of a lot of fun!

We will not be going this year. Son and daughter-in-law in town along with some other family members. Also on call 12/26. But, we did purchase/donate a ticket for a child or member of the US Armed Forces to attend.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

So — who is actually going or still pondering it?

I’ll be there with DaughterPK. I’ve been to the last five, no reason to stop now.

If you’ve never been to a bowl and you are within the distance of a reasonable drive, it’s a hell of a lot of fun!

I'm going! In addition to attending the game and related activities, I'm looking forward to sipping some Vernor's on tap. (What a fine ginger ale... even after it was bought up and the formula changed a bit. All other ginger ales pale compared to Vernor's.) Maybe have a Detroit Coney or two.

[OldPhiKap]

I'm going! In addition to attending the game and related activities, I'm looking forward to sipping some Vernor's on tap. (What a fine ginger ale... even after it was bought up and the formula changed a bit. All other ginger ales pale compared to Vernor's.) Maybe have a Detroit Coney or two.

Well, now I KNOW it’s gonna be a throwdown!

[Reilly]

So — who is actually going or still pondering it? ...

On the Duke bowl central site, on the link for the pre-game Duke party, there's a list of folks who have signed up for that gathering (if they choose to be listed).

I hope to be in Detroit. Was in Charlotte on that cold, heartbreaking night (and drove through a snowstorm to get there). Saw the cows parachute down from the roof of the Georgia Dome which is no more -- that's still the most dream-like, fugue-ish Duke football game I've ever attended -- indoors, the setting, NYE, the pace -- need to go back and watch it, doesn't feel like I fully understood it or took it all in.

An elderly dog and some bad blood with former business partners (Sun Bowl; Juarez) and a throat infection (Pinstripe) got in the way of attending the most recent two bowls.

[OldPhiKap]

On the Duke bowl central site, on the link for the pre-game Duke party, there's a list of folks who have signed up for that gathering (if they choose to be listed).

I hope to be in Detroit. Was in Charlotte on that cold, heartbreaking night (and drove through a snowstorm to get there). Saw the cows parachute down from the roof of the Georgia Dome which is no more -- that's still the most dream-like, fugue-ish Duke football game I've ever attended -- indoors, the setting, NYE, the pace -- need to go back and watch it, doesn't feel like I fully understood it or took it all in.

An elderly dog and some bad blood with former business partners (Sun Bowl; Juarez) and a throat infection (Pinstripe) got in the way of attending the most recent two bowls.

PM me if you go. Post-game party at the Greektown Casino-Hotel seems inevitable, if nothing else!

[-bdbd]

Don't know yet. We're thinking about it, but haven't yet sold Mrs. BDBD and the teenaged BDBD's either. What activities are there to entertain kids in the day or two prior or after? All I can think of is, casinos??? Any good museums, etc.?

[BD80]

... All other ginger ales pale compared to Vernor's...

Pun-intended?


... Saw the cows parachute down from the roof of the Georgia Dome ...


Say what?

That's the kind of thing I would expect to hear Bill Walton say ...

[OldPhiKap]

Say what?

That's the kind of thing I would expect to hear Bill Walton say ...

Dude, there were like thousands of tiny cows parachuting down like a big brigade of bovine badutters. I seen it with mine own eyes.

I think my son still has one somewhere.

[Reilly]

...
Say what? ...

Not our game, but this:

http://www.lsunow.com/multimedia/photos/chick-fil-a-bowl/image_21d1e138-53e3-11e2-aae3-0019bb30f31a.html

It was the prettiest thing I had seen at a Duke football game since Dilweg to Hines in the corner of the endzone.

[budwom]

^ my favorite parachuting moment of recent years is when some guys landed on the Wallace Wade 50 yard line thinking they had dropped in at the unc game eight miles away. Priceless confusion.
Not everyone has GPS capability.

[devildeac]

^ my favorite parachuting moment of recent years is when some guys landed on the Wallace Wade 50 yard line thinking they had dropped in at the unc game eight miles away. Priceless confusion.
Not everyone has GPS capability.

We attended that game, too. Freaking hilarious.

[CameronBornAndBred]

We attended that game, too. Freaking hilarious.

I remember us all watching him drop in while we were still tailgating in the B-5 lot. "Wonder what that guy's up to?"

[BD80]

... Saw the cows parachute down from the roof of the Georgia Dome ...


Dude, there were like thousands of tiny cows parachuting down like a big brigade of bovine badutters. I seen it with mine own eyes. ...

Bill Walton has seen REAL cows parachuting ...

I wouldn't be surprised if he was riding one of those cows while it was parachuting ...

[asbcheeks]

So — who is actually going or still pondering it?

I’ll be there with DaughterPK. I’ve been to the last five, no reason to stop now.

If you’ve never been to a bowl and you are within the distance of a reasonable drive, it’s a hell of a lot of fun!

I'll be there, weather and travel from the in-laws in North Dakota permitting.

Haven't missed a postseason game in the Cut era.

[chrishoke]

Bill Walton has seen REAL cows parachuting ...

I wouldn't be surprised if he was riding one of those cows while it was parachuting ...

Like Slim Pickens riding the H Bomb.

[chrishoke]

https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-specialist-Austin-Parker-kicked-off-team-111975305

Austin Parker has been kicked off the team. Wow.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Don't know yet. We're thinking about it, but haven't yet sold Mrs. BDBD and the teenaged BDBD's either. What activities are there to entertain kids in the day or two prior or after? All I can think of is, casinos??? Any good museums, etc.?
Lots of museums, architectural sights/sites and local history to explore. If your passports are current, cross the river and go into Canada. Duke fan events in addition to the pre-game party haven't been posted yet on the Duke website with ticket and travel information.

[CameronBornAndBred]

https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-specialist-Austin-Parker-kicked-off-team-111975305

Austin Parker has been kicked off the team. Wow.

Wow...looks like he cheated. And once again, Duke does the right thing.

[loran16]

Soooo Parker boehme to punt in the postseason and a raw field goal kicker to boot. No problems there

[OldPhiKap]

https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-specialist-Austin-Parker-kicked-off-team-111975305

Austin Parker has been kicked off the team. Wow.

Very sorry to hear. I hope he makes amends for whatever happened and can somehow get readmitted down the road. I seem to remember someone with a plagiarism problem a few years ago who sat out two semesters then was allowed to rejoin the team.

Kids make mistakes and I hope he grows from it. Glad we are not like the Bastards down 15-501.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I'm assuming we'll see a few more "going on 4th"s than normal.

[chrishoke]

More big football news.

More
Report: #Duke OL coach Marcus Johnson (@mjohnson7672) hired at Mississippi State https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-OL-coach-Marcus-Johnson-hired-at-Mississippi-State-111976445 … via @TheDevilsDen

0 replies 1 retweet 1 like
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[Clocktower]

I'm assuming we'll see a few more "going on 4th"s than normal.

Indeed! Four down territory the length of the field!

Sorry for the kid too but again I'm glad we have a program with integrity.

[duke79]

https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-specialist-Austin-Parker-kicked-off-team-111975305

Austin Parker has been kicked off the team. Wow.

Ugh.....never good news, but as others have mentioned.......it's good to see that Duke coaches have integrity and consistency in how they deal with athletes who break either team or university rules. These are the times when I'm sure it is not easy being a coach for a college sports team.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Very sorry to hear. I hope he makes amends for whatever happened and can somehow get readmitted down the road. I seem to remember someone with a plagiarism problem a few years ago who sat out two semesters then was allowed to rejoin the team.

Kids make mistakes and I hope he grows from it. Glad we are not like the Bastards down 15-501.

You are remembering correctly. Jela Duncan returned to the team following that academic suspension.

[CameronBornAndBred]

You are remembering correctly. Jela Duncan returned to the team following that academic suspension.

Both Zack Asack (who blew it a second time) and Duncan came back. I went back to look at announcements of Duncan's dismissal, and those all said right off the bat that he was suspended yet welcome to return the following year. (But not the season, since that was during the time of his suspension.)
Parker's seems a bit different, and more permanent. His announcement says he has been dismissed from the program.

[Hingeknocker]

More big football news.

More
Report: #Duke OL coach Marcus Johnson (@mjohnson7672) hired at Mississippi State https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-OL-coach-Marcus-Johnson-hired-at-Mississippi-State-111976445 … via @TheDevilsDen

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It always stings when you lose members of the coaching staff, but it shows something when your staff are able to climb the ladder elsewhere. Good for Johnson, and I wish him well.

[CameronBornAndBred]

More big football news.

More
Report: #Duke OL coach Marcus Johnson (@mjohnson7672) hired at Mississippi State https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-OL-coach-Marcus-Johnson-hired-at-Mississippi-State-111976445 … via @TheDevilsDen

0 replies 1 retweet 1 like
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He'll be warmer in his bowl game now. (Taxslayer vs. Louisville)

[devildeac]

Very sorry to hear. I hope he makes amends for whatever happened and can somehow get readmitted down the road. I seem to remember someone with a plagiarism problem a few years ago who sat out two semesters then was allowed to rejoin the team.

Kids make mistakes and I hope he grows from it. Glad we are not like the Bastards down 15-501.

Asack?

Edit: I see CB&B "ran" ahead of me and beat me to this. :o

[devildeac]

More big football news.

More
Report: #Duke OL coach Marcus Johnson (@mjohnson7672) hired at Mississippi State https://247sports.com/college/duke/Bolt/Duke-Football-OL-coach-Marcus-Johnson-hired-at-Mississippi-State-111976445 … via @TheDevilsDen

0 replies 1 retweet 1 like
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From the same "series" of tweets from Adam Rowe: Tinash Bere will transfer for his 5th year.

[CameronBornAndBred]

From the same "series" of tweets from Adam Rowe: Tinash Bere will transfer for his 5th year.
Looks like he hasn't played since surgery early in the 2016 season.

[CrazyNotCrazie]

It always stings when you lose members of the coaching staff, but it shows something when your staff are able to climb the ladder elsewhere. Good for Johnson, and I wish him well.

It looks like this is a lateral move - offensive line coach at Duke to offensive line coach there. I wish him well but I am sorry we are losing him for this type of position. He is originally from MS so I assume that is part of the appeal, though he played at Ole Miss, not MS State.

[devildeac]

Looks like he hasn't played since surgery early in the 2016 season.

Jim Sumner mentioned in one of his posts late this season that his knees were "shot." (I hope I'm quoting Jim correctly.)

I knew he didn't play much, but didn't realize it had been *that* long. Perhaps he's transferring for a master's program and can't play any more at all. Best of luck to him.

[TKG]

Austin Parker dismissed from team

.https://twitter.com/stevewisemanNC/status/939241734139207680?s=17https://twitter.com/stevewisemanNC/status/939241734139207680?s=17

[DukeTrinity11]

Duke kicker/punter Austin Parker has been kicked off the football team after he was suspended for a violation of the university's academic policy.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21713222/duke-kicker-punter-austin-parker-dismissed-team-academic-violation

[CameronBornAndBred]

Austin Parker dismissed from team

.https://twitter.com/stevewisemanNC/status/939241734139207680?s=17https://twitter.com/stevewisemanNC/status/939241734139207680?s=17


Duke kicker/punter Austin Parker has been kicked off the football team after he was suspended for a violation of the university's academic policy.

http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21713222/duke-kicker-punter-austin-parker-dismissed-team-academic-violation

Do people read threads at all before they post? I see this happen all the time...sigh. (For you two, besides being back to back posts yet minutes apart, there is a whole discussion ongoing about this.)

[CameronBornAndBred]

Asack?

Edit: I see CB&B "ran" ahead of me and beat me to this. :o

Drink!

[devildeac]

Drink!

I see you understood my reference...

;)

[devildeac]

Do people read threads at all before they post? I see this happen all the time...sigh. (For you two, besides being back to back posts yet minutes apart, there is a whole discussion ongoing about this.)

Even Jim Sumner's getting in on the action, starting his own thread on some Duke bulletin board:

http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?40931-Austin-Parker-dismissed-from-football-program

;):rolleyes:

[chrishoke]

Jim Sumner mentioned in one of his posts late this season that his knees were "shot." (I hope I'm quoting Jim correctly.)

I knew he didn't play much, but didn't realize it had been *that* long. Perhaps he's transferring for a master's program and can't play any more at all. Best of luck to him.

That is essentially what Jim said. Bere's tweet however, after thanking Duke, said he was opening back up his recruitment, indicating to me he intends to play again.

[OldPhiKap]

You are remembering correctly. Jela Duncan returned to the team following that academic suspension.

Thanks, I couldn’t remember if it was Asack or Duncan and but did not want to throw a name out there without being sure. Now I understand my confusion, it was both.

[budwom]

That is essentially what Jim said. Bere's tweet however, after thanking Duke, said he was opening back up his recruitment, indicating to me he intends to play again.

guess the knees aren't completely shot. As for transferring but not playing, I don't think they give FB scholarships for that so yeah, he clearly intends to play.

[CameronBornAndBred]

guess the knees aren't completely shot. As for transferring but not playing, I don't think they give FB scholarships for that so yeah, he clearly intends to play.

Sean Obi is happy Coach K gives them out in basketball. :rolleyes:

[BandAlum83]

Do people read threads at all before they post? I see this happen all the time...sigh. (For you two, besides being back to back posts yet minutes apart, there is a whole discussion ongoing about this.)

This.

BTW, I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, but some guy named Marvin Bagley has reclassed and is coming to Duke. I think he might be a quarterback. Does anyone have any info?

[CameronBornAndBred]

This.

BTW, I haven't seen it mentioned anywhere, but some guy named Marvin Bagley has reclassed and is coming to Duke. I think he might be a quarterback. Does anyone have any info?

Besides being too young, he's not tall enough.

[GoDuke2004]

Here is an email we got from Kevin White - I won't be able to make it to Detroit on the 26th, but just bought a ticket for Duke to give away... plus looks like it is tax deductible if anyone is interested:

Dear GoDuke2004,

With the selection to a fifth bowl game in six seasons, the success of Duke Football under Coach David Cutcliffe has been nothing short of remarkable: an ACC Coastal Division championship in 2013, four consecutive bowl bids from 2012-15, an exciting victory in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and this year’s bid to the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. Additionally, Duke remains among the leaders nationally in the Graduation Success Rate of its football student-athletes, upholding the academic standards of the University and developing tomorrow’s leaders.

At the heart of these achievements lies an unwavering commitment to the quality of the total student-athlete experience – in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. To be sure, a vital part of a first-rate experience for the student-athletes is the support of Duke fans. Given that, I hope as many Blue Devils as possible will join us in cheering for the team in the Quick Lane Bowl on December 26th at Ford Field.

At the same time, we recognize that it is a long trip during a challenging time of the year. So, as an alternative, we invite you to show your support for the Blue Devils and help turn Detroit Duke Blue by purchasing tickets to be distributed to first responders, servicemen, their families, and underprivileged youth in the Detroit area. For $50, not only will you provide a game ticket for these deserving individuals to cheer on our Blue Devils, but they will also receive a Duke Blue t-shirt to wear during the game. In short, we will strive to fill Ford Field with Duke fans and provide the team with the best gameday atmosphere possible.

To show your support, simply click here (https://tkt.xosn.com/tickets/BuyTickets.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_mode_=EVENT&SALE_TKT_EVENT_ID=1039419&SALE_TKT_PERFORMER_ID=157879&SALE_TKT_SALE_CATEGORIES_ID=233840) and select the "$50 Donated Ticket" price type to order your Quick Lane Bowl tickets for donation. For these donated tickets, you will receive gift-in-kind credit on your Iron Dukes account, and will also receive a tax receipt.

Finally, your ticket purchase for the Quick Lane Bowl will benefit future Blue Devil teams as well. Ticket sales for this year’s Quick Lane Bowl will have a distinct impact on Duke’s attractiveness for future bowl invitations. Past fan turnouts have started to establish a strong tradition of support for the team in bowl games. We’re counting on you as Duke Football fans to demonstrate, once again, that the Blue Devils have the best fans in all of college athletics!

See you in Detroit!

Regards,
Kevin White
Vice President and Director of Athletics

[Stray Gator]

Here is an email we got from Kevin White - I won't be able to make it to Detroit on the 26th, but just bought a ticket for Duke to give away... plus looks like it is tax deductible if anyone is interested . . .

We received the same message, and donated two tickets -- an easy way to help support Duke football and provide a nice holiday appreciation gift to deserving public servants for those of us who won't be able to attend.

[Reilly]

"Ticket sales for this year’s Quick Lane Bowl will have a distinct impact on Duke’s attractiveness for future bowl invitations."

According to Webster's, "fake news is a self-explanatory compound noun" that is unlikely to be added to its dictionary anytime soon.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-real-story-of-fake-news

[budwom]

Sean Obi is happy Coach K gives them out in basketball. :rolleyes:

In fact the aforementioned Mr. Obi is playing 4-5 minutes/game for the waddling tortoises of Maryand this year, so one man's shot knees may not pertain to a Turgeon.

[CameronBornAndBred]

In fact the aforementioned Mr. Obi is playing 4-5 minutes/game for the waddling tortoises of Maryand this year, so one man's shot knees may not pertain to a Turgeon.

I would have given you Turgeon sporks, but I have to spread some love first.

[YmoBeThere]

Well, at least Army beat Navy. Ensuring that the bad loss didn't look worse.

[duke2x]

"Ticket sales for this year’s Quick Lane Bowl will have a distinct impact on Duke’s attractiveness for future bowl invitations."

According to Webster's, "fake news is a self-explanatory compound noun" that is unlikely to be added to its dictionary anytime soon.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-real-story-of-fake-news

I'm happy we got 6 wins to go to a bowl period, but we were selected by default this year. We were really only competing against 3-5 UVA and 3-5 FSU for a spot in DC and Shreveport, both of which are much closer to their bowl sites than Duke. Both teams also earned an earlier pick by beating us, but that criterion only matters to me.

It's hard to ignore that we had a huge missed opportunity. Win any of our ACC losses by 1 TD, particularly Pitt, and we're in Charlotte for sure.

[Avvocato]

My apologies if this was posted already, but congratulations to DE Victor Dimukeje for making espn.com's all freshmen first team (national, not ACC). Here's the link: http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21712577/2017-freshman-all-america-team. Great compliment to him, Coach Alpert and the rest of the team and staff.

[peloton]

My apologies if this was posted already, but congratulations to DE Victor Dimukeje for making espn.com's all freshmen first team (national, not ACC). Here's the link: http://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/21712577/2017-freshman-all-america-team. Great compliment to him, Coach Alpert and the rest of the team and staff.

Very nice accolade for Mr. Dimukeje indeed! Yes, compliments to Ben Alpert and his defensive brass :o.

[Reilly]

Two weeks from today is game day.

[Bob Green]

Joe Giles-Harris picks up another All America honor:


@TheRealGiles_44 picks up his third All-America honor with @CBSSports Second Team pick

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DQ38U8oXcAEfEys.jpg:large

[Reilly]

60K+

December 26, 2007 Purdue/Central Michigan 60,624

50K+

December 26, 2006 Central Michigan/Middle Tennessee 54,113
December 27, 2000 Marshall/Cincinnati 52,911
December 27, 2004 Connecticut/Toledo 52,552
December 27, 1999 Marshall/BYU 52,449
December 26, 2003 Bowling Green/Northwestern 51,286

40K+

December 27, 2011 Purdue/Western Michigan 46,177
December 26, 2005 Memphis/Akron 45,801
December 26, 2002 Boston College/Toledo 45,761
December 29, 2001 Toledo/Cincinnati 44,164
December 26, 1997 Mississippi/Marshall 43,340
December 26, 2008 Florida Atlantic/Central Michigan 41,399

30K+

December 23, 1998 Marshall/Louisville 38,016
December 26, 2010 FIU/Toledo 32,431
December 28, 2015 Minnesota/Central Michigan 34,217
December 26, 2009 Marshall/Ohio 30,331

20K+

December 26, 2013 Pittsburgh/Bowling Green 26,259
December 26, 2014 Rutgers/North Carolina 23,876
December 26, 2012 Central Michigan/Western Kentucky 23,310

10K+

December 26, 2016 Boston College/Maryland 19,117


Bowl names

Quick Lane Bowl - 2014 - 17
Little Caesars - 2009-13
Motor City Bowl - 1998-08
Ford Motor City Bowl - 1997

sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Caesars_Pizza_Bowl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_Lane_Bowl


And in NIU's seven MAC champ game Ford Field appearances, they've had crowds of 12,000 to 21,000: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_Football_Championship_Game

[OldPhiKap]

60K+

December 26, 2007 Purdue/Central Michigan 60,624

50K+

December 26, 2006 Central Michigan/Middle Tennessee 54,113
December 27, 2000 Marshall/Cincinnati 52,911
December 27, 2004 Connecticut/Toledo 52,552
December 27, 1999 Marshall/BYU 52,449
December 26, 2003 Bowling Green/Northwestern 51,286

40K+

December 27, 2011 Purdue/Western Michigan 46,177
December 26, 2005 Memphis/Akron 45,801
December 26, 2002 Boston College/Toledo 45,761
December 29, 2001 Toledo/Cincinnati 44,164
December 26, 1997 Mississippi/Marshall 43,340
December 26, 2008 Florida Atlantic/Central Michigan 41,399

30K+

December 23, 1998 Marshall/Louisville 38,016
December 26, 2010 FIU/Toledo 32,431
December 28, 2015 Minnesota/Central Michigan 34,217
December 26, 2009 Marshall/Ohio 30,331

20K+

December 26, 2013 Pittsburgh/Bowling Green 26,259
December 26, 2014 Rutgers/North Carolina 23,876
December 26, 2012 Central Michigan/Western Kentucky 23,310

10K+

December 26, 2016 Boston College/Maryland 19,117


Bowl names

Quick Lane Bowl - 2014 - 17
Little Caesars - 2009-13
Motor City Bowl - 1998-08
Ford Motor City Bowl - 1997

sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Caesars_Pizza_Bowl
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quick_Lane_Bowl


And in NIU's seven MAC champ game Ford Field appearances, they've had crowds of 12,000 to 21,000: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MAC_Football_Championship_Game

Interesting. Duke bowls in Cut era:

2012 Belk (Charlotte, v. Cincy): 48,128
2013 Peach-fil-A (Atlanta, v. Texas A&M): 68,496
2014 Sun Bowl (El Paso, v. Arizona St. U.): 47,809
2015 Pinstripe (NYC, v. Indiana): 37,218

All attendance per Wikipedia.

Guess that NIU will draw better than IU in NYC but harder for a Duke draw. Date is tough too. Would expect 35k give or take. Would love to be on the low side.

Best I can tell from the NIU chat site, it is a short drive from campus relatively speaking and many are stoked to play a P5 opponent and prove themselves. Some disappointment amongst the fans for being in Detroit where they traditionally play their conference championships, and thus the trip is not a destination spot. They seem to be a mirror of us — strong defense, good run game, talented but young QB, inconsistent receivers. Seems to be some unhappiness with their coach but it may just be some chat board anger.

[Doria]

What hotel is the team hotel, and how far from the stadium?

What is there to do in Detroit if I have to kill a day after the game?

Delta is apparently ready if I am.

I haven’t been back there for like 20 years, but Detroit is a great city to visit! Motown is interesting, if you enjoy musical history; it’s very small, though, so don’t plan on killing a day there. Greektown is good, though somewhat touristy (not in a bad Hollywood Blvd. way), but there used to be interesting small galleries for local artists and the like. Detroit also has, of course museums, the DIA foremost among them. It is totally worth it, if only for the Diego Rivera frescos—there is a lot more, though. You’d have to get lucky, but Detroit has/had a thriving music scene, depending on your preferences.

I’m sure there is a lot of stuff I’m forgetting, but I can PM you if I think of any “must do” things I’ve forgotten.

It will probably be cold, but not deathly. So pack accordingly. If you’re renting a car...... this is anecdotal, but it was an anecdote I heard multiple times when I was there, you may want to choose an American maker (yeah, I know it’s no guarantee where it or its parts are made), because when Detroit was in its downturn, people would key foreign cars.

Also, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but while it is not as dangerous as it once was, do take proper precautions, relevant to the area in which you’re staying. A lot of Detroit used to be a hash of good streets and dodgy ones right next to each other, so you couldn’t tell safer areas from less safe ones. I don’t want to scare you, since I lived there 2 years on Warren Avenue, without incident at all. Just exercise proper caution if you haven’t been or are not with a local.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions. You can, for example, get wonderful polish food there in the thriving Polish community. Have a great time—I really envy you. I loved living there. You should have no trouble filling a day, if need be.

[budwom]

Interesting. Duke bowls in Cut era:

2012 Belk (Charlotte, v. Cincy): 48,128
2013 Peach-fil-A (Atlanta, v. Texas A&M): 68,496
2014 Sun Bowl (El Paso, v. Arizona St. U.): 47,809
2015 Pinstripe (NYC, v. Indiana): 37,218

All attendance per Wikipedia.

Guess that NIU will draw better than IU in NYC but harder for a Duke draw. Date is tough too. Would expect 35k give or take. Would love to be on the low side.

Best I can tell from the NIU chat site, it is a short drive from campus relatively speaking and many are stoked to play a P5 opponent and prove themselves. Some disappointment amongst the fans for being in Detroit where they traditionally play their conference championships, and thus the trip is not a destination spot. They seem to be a mirror of us — strong defense, good run game, talented but young QB, inconsistent receivers. Seems to be some unhappiness with their coach but it may just be some chat board anger.

This is apt to be one of those bowls where the butts in seats are FAR fewer than the official attendance (tickets sold). Had we beaten Army, we'd be looking at a more favorable destination, but we're fortunate to be in a bowl at this point.

[sagegrouse]

I haven’t been back there for like 20 years, but Detroit is a great city to visit! Motown is interesting, if you enjoy musical history; it’s very small, though, so don’t plan on killing a day there. Greektown is good, though somewhat touristy (not in a bad Hollywood Blvd. way), but there used to be interesting small galleries for local artists and the like. Detroit also has, of course museums, the DIA foremost among them. It is totally worth it, if only for the Diego Rivera frescos—there is a lot more, though. You’d have to get lucky, but Detroit has/had a thriving music scene, depending on your preferences.

I’m sure there is a lot of stuff I’m forgetting, but I can PM you if I think of any “must do” things I’ve forgotten.

It will probably be cold, but not deathly. So pack accordingly. If you’re renting a car... this is anecdotal, but it was an anecdote I heard multiple times when I was there, you may want to choose an American maker (yeah, I know it’s no guarantee where it or its parts are made), because when Detroit was in its downturn, people would key foreign cars.

Also, I’m sure I don’t have to tell you this, but while it is not as dangerous as it once was, do take proper precautions, relevant to the area in which you’re staying. A lot of Detroit used to be a hash of good streets and dodgy ones right next to each other, so you couldn’t tell safer areas from less safe ones. I don’t want to scare you, since I lived there 2 years on Warren Avenue, without incident at all. Just exercise proper caution if you haven’t been or are not with a local.

Please let me know if I can answer any questions. You can, for example, get wonderful polish food there in the thriving Polish community. Have a great time—I really envy you. I loved living there. You should have no trouble filling a day, if need be.

Here's a long article (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/20/travel/detroit-michigan-downtown.html?_r=0) from the NY Times' Travel section on November 26, talking about the revival of Detroit.

[CrazyNotCrazie]

Interesting. Duke bowls in Cut era:

2012 Belk (Charlotte, v. Cincy): 48,128
2013 Peach-fil-A (Atlanta, v. Texas A&M): 68,496
2014 Sun Bowl (El Paso, v. Arizona St. U.): 47,809
2015 Pinstripe (NYC, v. Indiana): 37,218

All attendance per Wikipedia.

Guess that NIU will draw better than IU in NYC but harder for a Duke draw. Date is tough too. Would expect 35k give or take. Would love to be on the low side.

Best I can tell from the NIU chat site, it is a short drive from campus relatively speaking and many are stoked to play a P5 opponent and prove themselves. Some disappointment amongst the fans for being in Detroit where they traditionally play their conference championships, and thus the trip is not a destination spot. They seem to be a mirror of us — strong defense, good run game, talented but young QB, inconsistent receivers. Seems to be some unhappiness with their coach but it may just be some chat board anger.

Northern Illinois is in the far western suburbs of Chicago, a 5+ hour drive from Detroit. So people who live near campus can theoretically be home for Christmas, get up Tuesday morning and get on the road and get to the game. Ford Field is a nice stadium and indoors. For those of us who live further away, the timing of the game is really tough, because if you have obligations for Christmas Day, there is a very small window of flights that will get you to Detroit in time for the game on the 26th.

[Reilly]

Duke (15K students; 228K city pop - per Wikipedia)

20,141 -gt
20,241 - nu
22,621 - pitt
26,714 - Baylor
30,477 - nccu
31,073 - fsu
36,314 - mia

NIU (20K students; 43K city pop - per Wikipedia)

6,603 - ball
7,732 - wmu
8,872 - emu
11,398 - kent
16,421 - bc
16,722 - eiu

game attendance figures from duke and niu football sites - stats page

[Reilly]

... Would expect 35k give or take. ...

I'm thinking less. The most the Detroit bowl announced in 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2016 was 26K. Last year was less than 20K. (2015 had Central Michigan and 34K.) The most at a MAC champ game involving NIU was 21K. And the most at a NIU home game this year was 16K.

[Reilly]

Radio show Dec 25 6-7 pm.

From Twitter:

While in @CityofDetroit for the @quicklanebowl, spend 6-7 pm of December 25 with us at the @DavidCutcliffe Radio Show. Admission is FREE, but plan on arriving early/

[Bob Green]

GoDuke Q&A interview with DE Drew Jordan:

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211689585&DB_OEM_ID=4200

Here is the money Q&A:


GoDuke.com: How important are these bowl practices for all the team's freshmen?
DJ: “As a true freshmen and for my teammates who are redshirting, it’s a big process. Those are reps. Those are reps that we need to take to the next year. That being said, every practice, every rep is a time to get better. I just think of those bowl practices to carry on into the next season, into the spring, into the summer and then into the next fall.”

[Devilwin]

December 26th is my birthday. A win would be an awesome present....

[Bob Green]

Duke will wear script helmets in the bowl game:

7921

[arnie]

Duke leaning toward Holmquist as kicker, punter for bowl
http://wr.al/1A7TP

[YmoBeThere]

We received the same message, and donated two tickets -- an easy way to help support Duke football and provide a nice holiday appreciation gift to deserving public servants for those of us who won't be able to attend.


"Ticket sales for this year’s Quick Lane Bowl will have a distinct impact on Duke’s attractiveness for future bowl invitations."

According to Webster's, "fake news is a self-explanatory compound noun" that is unlikely to be added to its dictionary anytime soon.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/the-real-story-of-fake-news


Here is an email we got from Kevin White - I won't be able to make it to Detroit on the 26th, but just bought a ticket for Duke to give away... plus looks like it is tax deductible if anyone is interested:

Dear GoDuke2004,

With the selection to a fifth bowl game in six seasons, the success of Duke Football under Coach David Cutcliffe has been nothing short of remarkable: an ACC Coastal Division championship in 2013, four consecutive bowl bids from 2012-15, an exciting victory in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl and this year’s bid to the Quick Lane Bowl in Detroit. Additionally, Duke remains among the leaders nationally in the Graduation Success Rate of its football student-athletes, upholding the academic standards of the University and developing tomorrow’s leaders.

At the heart of these achievements lies an unwavering commitment to the quality of the total student-athlete experience – in the classroom, on the field, and in the community. To be sure, a vital part of a first-rate experience for the student-athletes is the support of Duke fans. Given that, I hope as many Blue Devils as possible will join us in cheering for the team in the Quick Lane Bowl on December 26th at Ford Field.

At the same time, we recognize that it is a long trip during a challenging time of the year. So, as an alternative, we invite you to show your support for the Blue Devils and help turn Detroit Duke Blue by purchasing tickets to be distributed to first responders, servicemen, their families, and underprivileged youth in the Detroit area. For $50, not only will you provide a game ticket for these deserving individuals to cheer on our Blue Devils, but they will also receive a Duke Blue t-shirt to wear during the game. In short, we will strive to fill Ford Field with Duke fans and provide the team with the best gameday atmosphere possible.

To show your support, simply click here (https://tkt.xosn.com/tickets/BuyTickets.dbml?DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4200&_mode_=EVENT&SALE_TKT_EVENT_ID=1039419&SALE_TKT_PERFORMER_ID=157879&SALE_TKT_SALE_CATEGORIES_ID=233840) and select the "$50 Donated Ticket" price type to order your Quick Lane Bowl tickets for donation. For these donated tickets, you will receive gift-in-kind credit on your Iron Dukes account, and will also receive a tax receipt.

Finally, your ticket purchase for the Quick Lane Bowl will benefit future Blue Devil teams as well. Ticket sales for this year’s Quick Lane Bowl will have a distinct impact on Duke’s attractiveness for future bowl invitations. Past fan turnouts have started to establish a strong tradition of support for the team in bowl games. We’re counting on you as Duke Football fans to demonstrate, once again, that the Blue Devils have the best fans in all of college athletics!

See you in Detroit!

Regards,
Kevin White
Vice President and Director of Athletics

Just got around to doing this today, but glad to have the opportunity to hopefully get some Duke friendly folks in the stands.

[OldPhiKap]

Gotta say that the fans on the NIU chat board have been great. Very friendly. I get the sense that they are looking forward to a shot at a P5 team although there is some Detroit fatigue because (1) the MAC Championship game is there and they’ve been something like 5 of the last 7 years; and (2) for folks in Northern Illinois, Detroit is not a novel or warm place to go celebrate the season. Varying estimates on how they will turn out.

Teams look like mirrors. Strong defense, run game ahead of the pass game on offense. Offense has a lot of QB draws and (cover your ears) bubble screen passes. We had a tougher schedule, but they played their schedule more consistently than we did.

Revising my attendance hopes down though. Sad that I have taken my daughter to three games this year (Duke hosting FSU, Clemson hosting FSU, UGA hosting Mississippi State) and this is likely to be The Big Empty.

We turned out well to all the bowls since Cut got here, though. C’mon Devils, represent!

[Reilly]

Duke will wear script helmets in the bowl game:

7921

Snake Slayden approves ...

[Reilly]

Duke leaning toward Holmquist as kicker, punter for bowl
http://wr.al/1A7TP

I didn't realize he wore hearing aids. http://now.tufts.edu/articles/tufts-player-makes-duke-football-squad

Guessing his hearing loss + walk-on-thrust-into-spotlight storyline will be a human interest story line for the game.

[Bob Green]

Ben Humphreys is expected to play in Quick Lane Bowl:

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article190055854.html


“I expect to see Ben able to play in the bowl game at this point,” Duke coach David Cutcliffe said on Friday.

[Reilly]

Ben Humphreys is expected to play in Quick Lane Bowl:

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article190055854.html

Wow -- I was @Army and saw him carried off and didn't think there was any way we'd see him again in 2017. Good for him (and us).

[OldPhiKap]

Ben Humphreys is expected to play in Quick Lane Bowl:

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article190055854.html

Woo hoo!!!!

[budwom]

Quonsah played very well in Humphreys' absence, and frankly was better than a semi injured Humphreys late in the season...we could use them both vs NIU...

I think Duke definitely has an attitudinal edge going into this game, but how much good that does us remains to be seen. (OPK's summary of NIU forum sentiments was right on the money).

[Bob Green]

Quonsah played very well in Humphreys' absence, and frankly was better than a semi injured Humphreys late in the season...we could use them both vs NIU...

Absolutely! Quansah was the team's leading tackler (10) against Wake Forest. He also forced and recovered a fumble. Against Georgia Tech, Quansah had seven tackles including one Tackle for Loss. He was recognized at the football banquet as the team's most outstanding special teams performer (Bill Keziah Award).

[peloton]

Ben Humphreys is expected to play in Quick Lane Bowl:

http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article190055854.html

I believe I yelled "alright!" when I read it in the N & O this morning...just couldn't help myself. With Joe Giles-Harris, Koby Quansah, and Ben Humphreys leading the way for the linebacking corp, they are The Trifecta of Terror indeed. Between this and the news yesterday that William Holmquist "probably will take over as both kicker and punter in the Quick Lane Bowl...", I can't wait until the 26th. The money quote is, "Cutcliffe said Friday that Holmquist "has been outstanding" in pre-bowl practices."

Devilwin, here's hoping you get your cherished birthday present...hurry up Dec 26th!

[peloton]

By the way, kudos to DBR for using the wonderful photo of a joyous Ben Humphreys jumping up and celebrating Alonzo Saxton's deal sealing interception against the program down the road that can't play by the rules.

[Bob Green]

NIU leading rusher Jordan Huff is out for the game:

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/18/niu-football-huff-will-not-play-in-quick-lane-bowl-vs-duke-carey-confirms/az05fqg/


Northern Illinois senior tailback Jordan Huff (ankle), will not play in the 2017 Quick Lane Bowl vs. Duke on Dec. 26, NIU coach Rod Carey confirmed to the Daily Chronicle Monday morning.

Carey said Huff plans to have surgery on his left ankle – an injury that sidelined him for three games this season. Huff, a 2017 All-Mid American Conference Third Team selection, finishes his career with 2,167 rushing yards on 333 carries with 20 rushing touchdowns.

NIU has some young talented running backs on the roster but will miss the experience of Huff who rushed 127 times for 740 yards and four touchdowns this season. He also caught seven passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns.

[Reilly]

Per the SRS, Duke usually steps up in weight class come bowl time. The exception was 1954, and this year (of course the prior year's ratings are post-bowl). Our biggest bowl upset win, SRS-wise, was 1960-61 when #32 beat #12.

1938-39 season: #10 Duke lost to #5 USC 7-3 in the Rose Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1938-ratings.html

1941-42 season: #8 Duke lost to #5 Oregon State 20-16 in the Rose Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1941-ratings.html

1944-45 season: #19 Duke WINS over #18 Alabama 29-26 in the Sugar Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1944-ratings.html

1954-55 season: #21 Duke WINS over #41 Nebraska 34-7 in the Orange Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1954-ratings.html

1957-58 season: #15 Duke lost to #2 Oklahoma 48-21 in the Orange Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1957-ratings.html

1960-61 season: #32 Duke WINS over #12 Arkansas 7-6 in the Cotton Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1960-ratings.html

1989-90 season: #36 Duke lost to #22 Texas Tech 49-21 in the All American Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1989-ratings.html

1994-95 season: #27 Duke lost to #22 Wisconsin 34-20 in the Hall of Fame Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/1994-ratings.html

2012-13 season: #68 Duke lost to #31 Cincinnati 48-34 in the Belk Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2012-ratings.html

2013-14 season: #31 Duke lost to #19 TXA&M 52-48 in the Chik-fil-A Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2013-ratings.html

2014-15 season: #40 Duke lost to #16 Arizona State 36-31 in the Sun Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2014-ratings.html

2015-16 season: #57 Duke WINS over #59 Indiana 44-41(OT) in the Pinstripe Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2015-ratings.html

2017-18 season: #41 Duke v. #53 NIU in the Quick Lane Bowl
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/years/2017-ratings.html

Per the SRS, this 2017 Duke team would be a half-point favorite over the 1989 Duke team.
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/schools/duke/

[Reilly]

Duke's bowl wins have come over Alabama, Nebraska, Arkansas, and Indiana. All of those schools have a state's name in their name. And all of those states lie at least partially in the central time zone.

Hellloooo, Northern Illinois University, what time do you have? The ultimate betting trend line.

(Every Duke bowl opponent has had a state's name in its name. Even private Southern Cal.

We didn't get it done against Texas A&M, Texas Tech, Wisconsin, or Oklahoma -- other central time zoners.)

[OldPhiKap]

NIU leading rusher Jordan Huff is out for the game:

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/18/niu-football-huff-will-not-play-in-quick-lane-bowl-vs-duke-carey-confirms/az05fqg/



NIU has some young talented running backs on the roster but will miss the experience of Huff who rushed 127 times for 740 yards and four touchdowns this season. He also caught seven passes for 43 yards and two touchdowns.

With Huff out, the player who ran for the most TDs this season is their QB.

But they have some good young backs with skill. The loss of Huff and Lurry (CB) takes away two very good players. Sutton Smith on the D side is really good though. This is a good team.

Although they are not P5, we lost to Army. We need to be ready to play our A game. I like the way we finished the season, and hope that is still where we are.

[Reilly]

... Sutton Smith on the D side is really good though ...

Does he play standing up? Line up on different sides of the formation?

How good are our TEs at blocking? I actually have not seen many of our games this year all the way through. It seems like we had somewhat highly regarded TEs, but I don't if that's for pass-catching rather than blocking, and if they're living up to expectations.

[OldPhiKap]

Does he play standing up? Line up on different sides of the formation?

How good are our TEs at blocking? I actually have not seen many of our games this year all the way through. It seems like we had somewhat highly regarded TEs, but I don't if that's for pass-catching rather than blocking, and if they're living up to expectations.

Some highlights:

https://youtu.be/eGUxT_Yv-XM

MAC defensive POY.

[Reilly]

Some highlights:

https://youtu.be/eGUxT_Yv-XM

MAC defensive POY.

Thanks. Quite fast (believe I'd read he was a RB originally). Looks like coming from the left and the right. We don't need negative yardage plays.

[OldPhiKap]

Thanks. Quite fast (believe I'd read he was a RB originally). Looks like coming from the left and the right. We don't need negative yardage plays.

Yup, yup and yup. He will be a challenge to the O-Line and the play calling in general. I assume we will do some double-teaming, and (cover your ears, Bob) screens to the opposite side.

Over/under is 47.5, and we are +5. Guess that calls for a 27-21 Duke win if we cover. Would really love to see us start quickly on offense. I think both defenses are stout, the question is whether we have the offense we showed at the bookends of the season or whether we look lost like the middle of the season.

[devildeac]

Yup, yup and yup. He will be a challenge to the O-Line and the play calling in general. I assume we will do some double-teaming, and (cover your ears, Bob) screens to the opposite side.

Over/under is 47.5, and we are +5. Guess that calls for a 27-21 Duke win if we cover. Would really love to see us start quickly on offense. I think both defenses are stout, the question is whether we have the offense we showed at the bookends of the season or whether we look lost like the middle of the season.

And you thought all my posts were beer related :rolleyes:;).

Good insights about the O and the D.

[Reilly]

... Would really love to see us start quickly on offense. I think both defenses are stout ...

Agreed - hope we hop on them early ...

[Bob Green]

How good are our TEs at blocking?

My eye test says true freshman Noah Gray (#87) is the best blocker of our three TEs. All three TEs are decent blockers but I wouldn't describe any of them as a road grader. The best player we have at picking up the blitz or helping out in pass protection in general is Shaun Wilson. I believe it is due to his experience being a senior.

[Bob Green]

I assume we will do some double-teaming, and (cover your ears, Bob) screens to the opposite side.

I'd rather see us throw the screen pass to Smith's side to use his aggressiveness against him. Let him get after Daniel Jones, then toss the ball over his head to Shaun Wilson and run into the space Smith vacated. Sometimes the best way to attack a talented defensive player is to go right at them because they are use to teams going away from them.




Would really love to see us start quickly on offense. I think both defenses are stout, the question is whether we have the offense we showed at the bookends of the season or whether we look lost like the middle of the season.

I agree wholeheartedly with your desire to see a quick start; however, I will not be overly concerned if we fall behind. Duke came from behind in five of six wins this season. Here are the opponent's biggest leads in those five wins:

1. Wake Forest 17, Duke 3
2. Georgia Tech 14, Duke 3
3. Carolina 17, Duke 13
4. Baylor 7, Duke 0
5. Northwestern 3, Duke 0

[OldPhiKap]

I'd rather see us throw the screen pass to Smith's side to use his aggressiveness against him. Let him get after Daniel Jones, then toss the ball over his head to Shaun Wilson and run into the space Smith vacated. Sometimes the best way to attack a talented defensive player is to go right at them because they are use to teams going away from them.



I agree wholeheartedly with your desire to see a quick start; however, I will not be overly concerned if we fall behind. Duke came from behind in five of six wins this season. Here are the opponent's biggest leads in those five wins:

1. Wake Forest 17, Duke 3
2. Georgia Tech 14, Duke 3
3. Carolina 17, Duke 13
4. Baylor 7, Duke 0
5. Northwestern 3, Duke 0

All good points (as usual).

[Reilly]

... I will not be overly concerned if we fall behind ...

Duke was outscored in aggregate in the 1st quarter, but outscored its opponents in aggregate in each of the last three quarters.

http://www.goduke.com/fls/4200/stats/2017-18/football/teamcume.htm

[Avvocato]

I'd rather see us throw the screen pass to Smith's side to use his aggressiveness against him. Let him get after Daniel Jones, then toss the ball over his head to Shaun Wilson and run into the space Smith vacated. Sometimes the best way to attack a talented defensive player is to go right at them because they are use to teams going away from them.

They always said about Lawrence Taylor in his heyday that you are better off running to his side than away from him. Of course, neither usually worked out too well. However, I'm not about to make this guy out to be LT. I've never seen him play. I think if we just play our game (which hopefully means have a nice mix of running the ball, Jones making some runs when needed, and controlling the clock), we should be okay. While others have mentioned how we have played from behind, still would like to get a lead and take them out of their comfort zone. Let's finish off this late season run with another bowl victory. Let's go Duke.

[OldPhiKap]

Tickets came today, section 127. Feel free to PM me if you’re gonna be there. Will be at team hotel (Greektown Casino) too.

[Reilly]

127 looks like the 50.

[OldPhiKap]

127 looks like the 50.

Yeah. I don’t think that incredible ticket demand will lead to bad seats for either team. “Good seats available”

[budwom]

you'll be able to sit anywhere you want (except probably the upper deck(s) which will be closed). 15,000* people in a stadium that seats 60,000 shouldn't be too crowded.

*announced attendance may exceed that (based on tickets sold or given away)

[niu007]

Hey guys, just wanted to pop over here and say hi. Can only wish you good luck AFTER this game of course, but hopefully both teams will escape without injury. Just hoping for a good game. Not sure what the line is now but I've taken my Huskie-colored glasses off already as we haven't done well in recent bowls and we have a redshirt freshman QB who hasn't been that accurate so we'll see. I'd guess Duke will cover the spread, though of course I hope to be wrong. We've played a lot of conference championship games in Ford Field, but it doesn't seem like they played all that well in most of the games, so I'm not sure how much of an advantage it will be. Missing RB Jordan Huff won't help, though Harbison appears to be pretty good based on the limited game reps I've seen. Sutton Smith will have to have a good game (or someone else on the DL), and our QB will have to play better for us to win.

It's the only MAC bowl within driving distance (and the first Detroit bowl game NIU has been in) so I'm making the trip to see the game. I don't have any idea what our turnout will be like, hopefully it will be decent.

[OldPhiKap]

Hey guys, just wanted to pop over here and say hi. Can only wish you good luck AFTER this game of course, but hopefully both teams will escape without injury. Just hoping for a good game. Not sure what the line is now but I've taken my Huskie-colored glasses off already as we haven't done well in recent bowls and we have a redshirt freshman QB who hasn't been that accurate so we'll see. I'd guess Duke will cover the spread, though of course I hope to be wrong. We've played a lot of conference championship games in Ford Field, but it doesn't seem like they played all that well in most of the games, so I'm not sure how much of an advantage it will be. Missing RB Jordan Huff won't help, though Harbison appears to be pretty good based on the limited game reps I've seen. Sutton Smith will have to have a good game (or someone else on the DL), and our QB will have to play better for us to win.

It's the only MAC bowl within driving distance (and the first Detroit bowl game NIU has been in) so I'm making the trip to see the game. I don't have any idea what our turnout will be like, hopefully it will be decent.

Good luck to the Huskies as well. Have enjoyed your chat board, seems like a group of very knowledgeable fans! Looking forward (in an odd way) to seeing Sutton Smith, I think the kid is a beast and looks lightning quick from what I have seen. From our side, I think the battle between our O line and your D line is likely to determine the outcome.

As I posted on your board, our kicking game is an unknown right now. I hope it doesn't come down to that.

Safe travels to all, and agree with your hope that there are no injuries to either team. Your program has been consistently superior over the years, and not sure if the chatter about your coach is a true sentiment or just a few people popping off loudly. From the outside, it looks like Coach Carey has a pretty good overall record (44-23) and conference record (32-8). I guess the unhappiness (if there is any) is with his Bowl record?

Best of luck, and you are always welcome to talk sports here if any issue we hit during the year suits your interest.

[niu007]

Good luck to the Huskies as well. Have enjoyed your chat board, seems like a group of very knowledgeable fans! Looking forward (in an odd way) to seeing Sutton Smith, I think the kid is a beast and looks lightning quick from what I have seen. From our side, I think the battle between our O line and your D line is likely to determine the outcome.

As I posted on your board, our kicking game is an unknown right now. I hope it doesn't come down to that.

Safe travels to all, and agree with your hope that there are no injuries to either team. Your program has been consistently superior over the years, and not sure if the chatter about your coach is a true sentiment or just a few people popping off loudly. From the outside, it looks like Coach Carey has a pretty good overall record (44-23) and conference record (32-8). I guess the unhappiness (if there is any) is with his Bowl record?

Best of luck, and you are always welcome to talk sports here if any issue we hit during the year suits your interest.

As far as the coach, his overall record is good, but he did inherit a lot of talent and the overall record had been trending downward since his first year up until last year ending at 5-7. We did have QB injuries the last couple years, but our talent level at QB has been suspect at best, and there are questions about who he's been playing at QB and RB. Also he didn't always handle the media that great - and he basically got appointed coach without a coaching search after Dave Doeren left for NC State. I don't have a huge issue with him but wonder about his selections at QB definitely. And, he's 0-4 in bowl games. I'll give him the Orange Bowl game against FSU, so 0-3. The game against Boise was particularly embarrassing though - Boise looked like they were playing against air on both sides of the ball.

[Bob Green]

Hey guys, just wanted to pop over here and say hi.

Welcome to DBR niu007, glad you decided to stop by and chat. Defense has been Duke's best side of the ball this season as it has been consistent while the offense was very shaky during the six game losing streak. We have two very talented running backs in senior Shaun Wilson and freshman Brittain Brown so I hope the coaching staff's game plan includes a commitment to establishing the run. Quarterback Daniel Jones also possesses running skills. We have struggled against teams which forced us to throw a lot of passes so if your defense can stop the run you guys can give us fits.

Good luck! (but not too much)

[niu007]

Welcome to DBR niu007, glad you decided to stop by and chat. Defense has been Duke's best side of the ball this season as it has been consistent while the offense was very shaky during the six game losing streak. We have two very talented running backs in senior Shaun Wilson and freshman Brittain Brown so I hope the coaching staff's game plan includes a commitment to establishing the run. Quarterback Daniel Jones also possesses running skills. We have struggled against teams which forced us to throw a lot of passes so if your defense can stop the run you guys can give us fits.

Good luck! (but not too much)

Defense has been NIU's best side of the ball also. We had more offensive potential when we had Santacaterina at QB I think, but he got benched after the SDSU game for throwing too many interceptions. The current QB is more low-risk, low-reward. Childers is mobile and will carry the ball some, enough to get a first down here and there. He isn't that fast though, and doesn't break a lot of tackles. If you score more than 24 points you'll almost certainly win. And, we don't have Huff at RB, he could break a big play here or there when he played. If Jones gets a lot of carries for us, I don't see us doing enough in the running game. He's small and quick, but not that fast. Harbison should get most of the carries if we want to have a chance, IMO.

We're generally better at stopping the run game and get shredded by good QBs in the passing game. Been that way almost every year for as long as I can remember. We do get some interceptions and have some pass rush this year, but the occasional breakdowns in the secondary also. I'm hoping that your QB won't be able to do as much so we can concentrate on stopping the run. Your QB doesn't have real good stats so that's hopeful for us, but then you've played a much tougher schedule too, so it's hard to compare.

[OldPhiKap]

Defense has been NIU's best side of the ball also. We had more offensive potential when we had Santacaterina at QB I think, but he got benched after the SDSU game for throwing too many interceptions. The current QB is more low-risk, low-reward. Childers is mobile and will carry the ball some, enough to get a first down here and there. He isn't that fast though, and doesn't break a lot of tackles. If you score more than 24 points you'll almost certainly win. And, we don't have Huff at RB, he could break a big play here or there when he played. If Jones gets a lot of carries for us, I don't see us doing enough in the running game. He's small and quick, but not that fast. Harbison should get most of the carries if we want to have a chance, IMO.

We're generally better at stopping the run game and get shredded by good QBs in the passing game. Been that way almost every year for as long as I can remember. We do get some interceptions and have some pass rush this year, but the occasional breakdowns in the secondary also. I'm hoping that your QB won't be able to do as much so we can concentrate on stopping the run. Your QB doesn't have real good stats so that's hopeful for us, but then you've played a much tougher schedule too, so it's hard to compare.

Thanks for the info, looking forward to the game. Just so those on the Duke side know, Santa has announced that he is transferring and therefore will not be on the bench. At least that is my assumption.

As to Daniel Jones our QB, niu007, he had an up and down year. Started the season like gangbusters, especially against Northwestern. The whole offense went kerplunk in the middle six games; we were competitive in most of them but just did some really dumb things and there was some questionable play-calling. Daniel Jones finished the last two games well. Throughout the whole season, he ran well (he is a big and strong guy, not afraid to stick his nose in there). There is no doubt the kid has a lot of talent and potential. I am as curious as you to see which Duke offense shows up.

Very similar teams it seems, and the pundits are all calling for a close game. All you can want!

[Bob Green]

I'm hoping that your QB won't be able to do as much so we can concentrate on stopping the run. Your QB doesn't have real good stats so that's hopeful for us, but then you've played a much tougher schedule too, so it's hard to compare.

Daniel Jones has had an up and down year, but when he has been good he has been really good. In the 41-17 beat down of Northwestern, Jones threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Most important, he made great decision all afternoon. Against Georgia Tech, a game Duke won 43- 20, Jones threw for 177 yards and two touchdowns, and rushed for 91 yards and a touchdown.

Bad games - in the loss to Army Jones threw for 164 yards and an interception, while managing only 21 yards on the ground. The mid-season spiral started with the 31-6 loss to Miami, a game where Jones threw for 166 and an interception, while gaining only 31 yards on the ground.

Obviously, Duke fans are looking for the really good Daniel Jones to show up against Northern Illinois.

The player I personally believe is the heart and soul of our offense is running back Shaun Wilson who has breakaway speed. He has touchdown runs of 65 and 50 yards this year plus a 58 yard touchdown reception and a 76 yard kick-off return. In our victory over Indiana in the Pinstripe Bowl two years ago, Wilson racked up 282 All Purpose Yards, while scoring two touchdowns. His TDs were a 98 yard kick-off return and an 85 yard run from scrimmage.

[OldPhiKap]

The player I personally believe is the heart and soul of our offense is running back Shaun Wilson who has breakaway speed. He has touchdown runs of 65 and 50 yards this year plus a 58 yard touchdown reception and a 76 yard kick-off return. In our victory over Indiana in the Pinstripe Bowl two years ago, Wilson racked up 282 All Purpose Yards, while scoring two touchdowns. His TDs were a 98 yard kick-off return and an 85 yard run from scrimmage.

Man, where has that kind of special teams play been this year? Special teams has been a staple of our good teams under a Cut, but has been one of our weakest phases of the game these last two seasons. (And I know your answer is to move Rooer back to Special Teams Coach, i’ll say it for you!)

[Reilly]

The team's in Detroit.

[Reilly]

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_LANG=C&ATCLID=211690401&DB_OEM_ID=4200

[Bob Green]

Thanks for the link. The run game breakdown on pages 28 - 30, with video analysis from Dave Harding is great. Bottom line: in six wins Duke averaged 220 yards rushing and scored 15 rushing touchdowns; in six losses Duke averaged 115 yards rushing and scored four rushing touchdowns. Duke is best when the running game is clicking.

Run Game Shaun Wilson (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=I4VuDujxMUc)

Zone Reads (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_8vU9GBDl4)

Versatile Tight Ends (https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=53&v=aYMG8mNjBSs)

[Bob Green]

The Chronicle (Ben Leonard) has an article up on the NIU pass rush and All America defensive end Sutton Smith:

http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2017/12/film-room-is-dukes-offensive-revival-for-real

The following sentence caught me by surprise:


The Blue Devils certainly have the size on the edge to limit Smith with 6-foot-3 guards Julian Santos and Zach Harmon, who both have almost 100 pounds on Smith.

Does author Ben Leonard not understand that offensive guards play on the interior and offensive tackles play on the edge? Am I missing something? Smith will primarily be matching up against tackles Gabe Brandner and Evan Lisle not Santos and Harmon. Duke will use their tight ends to augment pass protection as well.

[OldPhiKap]

The Chronicle (Ben Leonard) has an article up on the NIU pass rush and All America defensive end Sutton Smith:

http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2017/12/film-room-is-dukes-offensive-revival-for-real

The following sentence caught me by surprise:



Does author Ben Leonard not understand that offensive guards play on the interior and offensive tackles play on the edge? Am I missing something? Smith will primarily be matching up against tackles Gabe Brandner and Evan Lisle not Santos and Harmon. Duke will use their tight ends to augment pass protection as well.

Yeah, pretty big error for a column dubbed "The Film Room"

[BigWayne]

The Chronicle (Ben Leonard) has an article up on the NIU pass rush and All America defensive end Sutton Smith:

http://www.dukechronicle.com/article/2017/12/film-room-is-dukes-offensive-revival-for-real

The following sentence caught me by surprise:



Does author Ben Leonard not understand that offensive guards play on the interior and offensive tackles play on the edge? Am I missing something? Smith will primarily be matching up against tackles Gabe Brandner and Evan Lisle not Santos and Harmon. Duke will use their tight ends to augment pass protection as well.

It's Christmas break. Maybe he was the only guy left to write the article.

[niu007]

Not to mention that a guy like Sutton Smith is much more likely to use his speed to get past the O-linemen. So it doesn't matter that much how big the OL guy is. The vast majority of OL guys he's faced all year likely outweigh him by close to 100 lbs.

[Bob Green]

@DukeRadio has a Play of the Year Poll up on Twitter with the following choices:

BAY: Brown 34y TD gallop
NC: Fields 61y pick six
GT: Wilson-Helm jump pass
WF: Taylor 36y 4thD catch

[Reilly]

@DukeRadio has a Play of the Year Poll up on Twitter with the following choices:

BAY: Brown 34y TD gallop
NC: Fields 61y pick six
GT: Wilson-Helm jump pass
WF: Taylor 36y 4thD catch

Is there any debate? Pick six in rivalry game in 4th quarter.

[devildeac]

Is there any debate? Pick six in rivalry game in 4th quarter.

That would get my vote.

[Bob Green]

NIU tight end Shane Wimann is out for the game due to turf toe:

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/22/niu-football-banged-up-huskies-ready-to-face-duke-in-2017-quick-lane-bowl/dqe7l37/


Senior tailback Jordan Huff (ankle) and tight end Shane Wimann (turf toe) are both out because of injury. The pair combined for 1,000-plus yards and 13 touchdowns this season. Wimann led NIU with a team-best seven scores.

[niu007]

NIU tight end Shane Wimann is out for the game due to turf toe:

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/22/niu-football-banged-up-huskies-ready-to-face-duke-in-2017-quick-lane-bowl/dqe7l37/

Dammit we cant afford that. Oh well.

[hallcity]

This is coming out of the blue. Daniel Jones has been playing injured most of the season?
http://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article191253504.html?

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

This is coming out of the blue. Daniel Jones has been playing injured most of the season?
http://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article191253504.html?

It's my impression that Daniel played with badly bruised ribs most of the season. Some defenders seemed to have picked up on that and aimed their hits to add to the pain.

This isn't the first time a Duke QB played much of the season injured and the public didn't know. Thad Lewis went through a painful senior year. He was so stiff and so sore near the end of the season that getting in and out of his car was a challenge. Coach Cutcliffe talked about Thad's injuries only after the season ended.

The best news is that Daniel is much better and continues to heal.

[Bob Green]

It's my impression that Daniel played with badly bruised ribs most of the season.

This information certainly explains the decreased use of quarterback runs in the read option. I'm glad to read Jones is approaching 100 percent health.

[OldPhiKap]

This is coming out of the blue. Daniel Jones has been playing injured most of the season?
http://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article191253504.html?

“Over the next three weeks, losses to Virginia, Florida State and Pittsburgh, Jones’ health caused the coaching staff to limit how it used him. He barely practiced during the week, with backup Quentin Harris getting more repetitions with the first team. . . .

“Cutcliffe said Jones wasn’t able to throw the ball down the field with the same precision and the staff limited how much he ran the ball.”

Wow.

[devildeac]

This is coming out of the blue. Daniel Jones has been playing injured most of the season?
http://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article191253504.html?


It's my impression that Daniel played with badly bruised ribs most of the season. Some defenders seemed to have picked up on that and aimed their hits to add to the pain.

This isn't the first time a Duke QB played much of the season injured and the public didn't know. Thad Lewis went through a painful senior year. He was so stiff and so sore near the end of the season that getting in and out of his car was a challenge. Coach Cutcliffe talked about Thad's injuries only after the season ended.

The best news is that Daniel is much better and continues to heal.


This information certainly explains the decreased use of quarterback runs in the read option. I'm glad to read Jones is approaching 100 percent health.


“Over the next three weeks, losses to Virginia, Florida State and Pittsburgh, Jones’ health caused the coaching staff to limit how it used him. He barely practiced during the week, with backup Quentin Harris getting more repetitions with the first team. . . .

“Cutcliffe said Jones wasn’t able to throw the ball down the field with the same precision and the staff limited how much he ran the ball.”

Wow.

Color me stunned. And much, much more appreciative of what the team accomplished this season. But, this then begs the question of why we didn't dial Wilson's and Brown's numbers more during the season if Jones' abilities to throw and run himself were compromised/painful?

[OldPhiKap]

Color me stunned. And much, much more appreciative of what the team accomplished this season. But, this then begs the question of why we didn't dial Wilson's and Brown's numbers more during the season if Jones' abilities to throw and run himself were compromised/painful?

I guess because the running plays are primarily read options, and we didn’t wan’t to use the option?

Just guessing, I wondered the same thing.

[BD80]

“Over the next three weeks, losses to Virginia, Florida State and Pittsburgh, Jones’ health caused the coaching staff to limit how it used him. He barely practiced during the week, with backup Quentin Harris getting more repetitions with the first team. . . .

“Cutcliffe said Jones wasn’t able to throw the ball down the field with the same precision and the staff limited how much he ran the ball.”

Wow.

Harris was such a step down that it was preferable to use Jones in such a limited capacity?

[budwom]

yeah, our OC's underutilization of the running game can't be fully explained by anyone's ribs.
Anyway, hopefully Jones is healthy now. I think the short passing game (non bubble screens, thank you) can be effective vs NIU. We soon shall see.

[peloton]

Dammit we cant afford that. Oh well.

Sorry to hear. I can't imagine how painful (and limiting, especially in football) a sprain of the big toe joint is. Here's hoping that it's an injury free game for both teams.


This is coming out of the blue. Daniel Jones has been playing injured most of the season?
http://amp.newsobserver.com/sports/college/acc/duke/article191253504.html?

This is not really surprising to me as it explains several things in regard to our mid season offensive swoon. I agree with others though - not sure why we didn't run more during some of those games unless we were simply physically outmatched or outcoached (read:"outschemed"). That's all water under the dam, the cards we were dealt, yada yada. Let's win one more though and put the finishing touch on a season where we finish strong. Go Duke!

[OldPhiKap]

NIU tight end Shane Wimann is out for the game due to turf toe:

http://www.daily-chronicle.com/2017/12/22/niu-football-banged-up-huskies-ready-to-face-duke-in-2017-quick-lane-bowl/dqe7l37/


Dammit we cant afford that. Oh well.


Sorry to hear. I can't imagine how painful (and limiting, especially in football) a sprain of the big toe joint is. Here's hoping that it's an injury free game for both teams.


NIU007, sorry to hear that. When Kyrie Irving was at Duke, he had the same or similar injury about eight games into the basketball season. No big deal, just a turf toe, right? Wrong, he missed months and it effectively ended his Duke career.

Luckily, I think Uncle Drew recovered. Good luck to Wimann.

[OldPhiKap]

Sounds like a small group going, but if anyone is interested in a Detroit chat group send me a pm and I will set up those who are interested. A good way to see old friends, meet new ones, and to comment on the game. Or at least, to meet for a beer to warm up from the DAMN CRAZY FRIGID WEATHER while the temperature back home is in the 70’s.

[Reilly]

The videos show a focused team, and one having fun (fowling).

http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_LANG=C&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690632

[Reilly]

http://www.goduke.com/pdf9/5464202.pdf

[Reilly]

Duke has had at least one 100-yard rusher in each of the four bowl games under Cut.

[Reilly]

Cut referenced, in his press conference, the team singing a Motown Christmas carol in Durham. I had missed that. Found it on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DukeFOOTBALL/

[devildeac]

Cut referenced, in his press conference, the team singing a Motown Christmas carol in Durham. I had missed that. Found it on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/DukeFOOTBALL/

Well, I guess this is the correct place for it but someone beat you to it:

http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?41014-Santa-Claus-is-comin%92-To-town

If only people would read other threads before posting <sigh>

79357935

[Reilly]

Well, I guess this is the correct place for it but someone beat you to it:

http://forums.dukebasketballreport.com/forums/showthread.php?41014-Santa-Claus-is-comin%92-To-town

If only people would read other threads before posting <sigh>

79357935

And you know what, I actually paged through *this* particular thread figuring someone must've posted it and I had somehow missed it before posting it.

I'll note that the other thread is not denoted "Duke FB: 'Santa Claus is comin' To Town'" as it should be.

Simply saying Santa is coming to town without quote marks indicative of a song title seems more of a fact statement (and a pretty obvious one at that -- what next, news articles in spring time that the pollen count is elevated?). Santa's pending arrival is probably off-topic material anyway, but thankfully no longer PPB material since Congress passed the new law the other night that allows us to say Christmas again.

Will Kline, kicker, is one of the featured singers. I wonder if he got the nod because, in case you haven't heard, Austin Parker is not on the team anymore.

[OldPhiKap]

Simply saying Santa is coming to town without quote marks indicative of a song title seems more of a fact statement (and a pretty obvious one at that -- what next, news articles in spring time that the pollen count is elevated?). Santa's pending arrival is probably off-topic material anyway, but thankfully no longer PPB material since Congress passed the new law the other night that allows us to say Christmas again.



The terrotist takeover of the Nakatomi office building in ‘88 was the single most violent battle in the War Agsinst Christmas. Even Woodrow Wilson’s League of Nations could not have prevented it.

[Reilly]

... Even Woodrow Wilson ... could not have prevented it.

If WW had been around in 1988, he would've rallied the troops with Bing's most famous holiday song.

[OldPhiKap]

Two days until kick-off! LGD!!!

Meanwhile, I get the sense from the NIU board that Toledo is not one of their favorite teams. Does not seem to be much heartbreak about them getting smoked by App.St.

[peloton]

Two days until kick-off! LGD!!!

Meanwhile, I get the sense from the NIU board that Toledo is not one of their favorite teams. Does not seem to be much heartbreak about them getting smoked by App.St.

Precisely. You misspelled it though...apparently it's spelled Turdledo according to one post I read. That's pretty good but shows no respect for conference member Toledo. If they were to visit DBR they'd discover that we still have the utmost respect for say, the program down the road that can't play by the rules. ;):p

By the way OPK, if I remember correctly from an earlier post, you're headed to the Motor City. Let me say right here and now that I'm a bit green (if you know what I mean). I was hoping to go but 'twas not to be. All of us who can't make it task all of you making the trip with cheering the guys onto victory. Make it so.

Go Blue Devils! Beat the Huskies!

[OldPhiKap]

Precisely. You misspelled it though...apparently it's spelled Turdledo according to one post I read. That's pretty good but shows no respect for conference member Toledo. If they were to visit DBR they'd discover that we still have the utmost respect for say, the program down the road that can't play by the rules. ;):p

By the way OPK, if I remember correctly from an earlier post, you're headed to the Motor City. Let me say right here and now that I'm a bit green (if you know what I mean). I was hoping to go but 'twas not to be. All of us who can't make it task all of you making the trip with cheering the guys onto victory. Make it so.

Go Blue Devils! Beat the Huskies!

I’m bringing the “Eat Me” cake costume. It worked in South Bend, it’ll work here!

DiBD will be there I believe. She is the one with the real mojo.

[budwom]

Precisely. You misspelled it though...apparently it's spelled Turdledo according to one post I read. That's pretty good but shows no respect for conference member Toledo. If they were to visit DBR they'd discover that we still have the utmost respect for say, the program down the road that can't play by the rules. ;):p

By the way OPK, if I remember correctly from an earlier post, you're headed to the Motor City. Let me say right here and now that I'm a bit green (if you know what I mean). I was hoping to go but 'twas not to be. All of us who can't make it task all of you making the trip with cheering the guys onto victory. Make it so.

Go Blue Devils! Beat the Huskies!

next year the offensive coordinator will listen closely to me* so we can go to a more hifalootin bowl in a warmer clime...(though I do know the QL bowl is indoors)...

*advice will consist of pointing at Brittain Brown. No reason to waste any words on this. KISS.

[Reilly]

https://weather.com/storms/winter/news/2017-12-22-winter-storm-ethan-christmas-snowstorm-rockies-midwest-northeast

[Bob Green]

3-5 inches of snow for Detroit

Which makes me happy I'll be watching the game from the comfort of my family room.

[mgtr]

Years ago, when I finished grad school, I did the obligatory tour of schools who thought they might want to hire me. One of those was just outside Detroit, and I was there in January. At the end of my visit, the department head and I got serious over dinner. I didn't waste any time, I told him there was no amount of money that could entice me to live there. So, I went ahead and accepted the offer from a Florida school, right? Not exactly. Instead I worked for a large company in NYC. Well, it wasn't Detroit, but it sure wasn't Florida, either.

[BD80]

Years ago, when I finished grad school, I did the obligatory tour of schools who thought they might want to hire me. One of those was just outside Detroit, and I was there in January. At the end of my visit, the department head and I got serious over dinner. I didn't waste any time, I told him there was no amount of money that could entice me to live there. So, I went ahead and accepted the offer from a Florida school, right? Not exactly. Instead I worked for a large company in NYC. Well, it wasn't Detroit, but it sure wasn't Florida, either.

Way back in the 70s, I traveled to MSU for a National Merit Scholarship exam in January. It was in the low 20s, but sunny. Students were walking around in short sleeve shirts, basking in the sun.

The next weekend I visited Duke. It was in the mid 30s, and everyone was wearing winter coats, complaining about the cold.

I chose Duke.

A few years later, I accepted my first full-time job in the northern suburbs of Detroit, and never left.

[mgtr]

A few years later, I accepted my first full-time job in the northern suburbs of Detroit, and never left.

My father used to say, "everybody likes different things, which is fortunate, or everybody would want my wife and my car."

[BD80]

My father used to say, "everybody likes different things, which is fortunate, or everybody would want my wife and my car."

Too many miles ...

[devildeac]

And you know what, I actually paged through *this* particular thread figuring someone must've posted it and I had somehow missed it before posting it.

I'll note that the other thread is not denoted "Duke FB: 'Santa Claus is comin' To Town'" as it should be.

Simply saying Santa is coming to town without quote marks indicative of a song title seems more of a fact statement (and a pretty obvious one at that -- what next, news articles in spring time that the pollen count is elevated?). Santa's pending arrival is probably off-topic material anyway, but thankfully no longer PPB material since Congress passed the new law the other night that allows us to say Christmas again.

Will Kline, kicker, is one of the featured singers. I wonder if he got the nod because, in case you haven't heard, Austin Parker is not on the team anymore.

But the other Parker (Boehme) is.

Blah, blah, blah. Next thing you know, you'll be saying that you like Springsteen's version better than the one our beloved Blue Devils performed. :rolleyes:

(;))

[devildeac]

Which makes me happy I'll be watching the game from the comfort of my family room...


...and sipping...

;)

[OldPhiKap]

...and sipping...

;)

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2017/08/30/williamston-old-nation-brewery-m-43-ipa-now-sold-detroit-ford-field/616653001/

Snowing in Detroit as we speak, I’m led to believe. Gonna be a high in the mid-teens in the next few days with a low around zero. The beer will warm you up at this point.

[CameronBornAndBred]

http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/news/local/2017/08/30/williamston-old-nation-brewery-m-43-ipa-now-sold-detroit-ford-field/616653001/

Snowing in Detroit as we speak, I’m led to believe. Gonna be a high in the mid-teens in the next few days with a low around zero. The beer will warm you up at this point.

Sounds like the team will be very happy to be playing under a roof.

[OldPhiKap]

Sounds like the team will be very happy to be playing under a roof.

The roof is the Ted. Or something like that.

I’m happy. The Belk Bowl a few years ago was cold enough. Even colder than El Paso, which had a snow dusting a day or two before the game.

Looking forward to comparing tattoos from Juarez with those from Windsor. I bet it’s different, eh?

[devildeac]

Sounds like the team will be very happy to be playing under a roof.

Sounds more like the Wolfpack will be very happy playing under a Roof...

:rolleyes:

[CameronBornAndBred]

The roof is the Ted. Or something like that.


Sounds more like the Wolfpack will be very happy playing under a Roof...

Thankfully, Roof was not Duke's ceiling.

[peloton]

This was mentioned earlier of course, but I'm looking forward to seeing the team don the 80's era 'Duke' script (with devil's tail) helmets again - always loved them. Not that I dislike the current ones, but my favorite helmet will always be that one. I just think it has a very cool, modern look (even though it's an older design).

Okay, when I start talking about what the guys are wearing during the game you know I'm ready for some Duke football.

[richmclean]

For the 90% of the time the camera is Not zoomed in the old logo looks like mush. Doesn’t represent the Duke brand well at all. Oh well to each his own.

[Olympic Fan]

This was mentioned earlier of course, but I'm looking forward to seeing the team don the 80's era 'Duke' script (with devil's tail) helmets again - always loved them. Not that I dislike the current ones, but my favorite helmet will always be that one. I just think it has a very cool, modern look (even though it's an older design).

Okay, when I start talking about what the guys are wearing during the game you know I'm ready for some Duke football.

It's probably a generation al thing, but my favorite helmet was the one of my youth -- the one Duke wore in the 1960 Cotton Bowl (actually through most of the '50s and early '60s). Here's the best picture I can find, from the Cotton Bowl (that's an Arkansas payer in the foreground and a Duke defender staring him down):

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQwHsob2qZ_30tuXKudGac3g1as13gfz AkQc_1ccMx-CuwBWaGUWA

[jimsumner]

https://www.bing.com/images/search?view=detailV2&ccid=nZGvshTt&id=CB6E27844E4EB0900395AE1BD6B4A5796F3D40EB&thid=OIP.nZGvshTt2SN0uy4wnIlWDwHaMJ&mediaurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.helmethut.com%2FDrDelrye %2FDr102808.jpg&exph=559&expw=341&q=duke+football+helmet+1960&simid=608054185782607875&ajaxhist=0&iss=VSI&pivotparams=insightsToken%3Dccid_nZGvshTt*mid_539F AA95DE007190E728AE1BD6B4A5796F3D40EB*simid_6080322 25646218859*thid_OIP.nZGvshTt2SN0uy4wnIlWDwHaMJ%26 imgurl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.helmethut.com%252F DrDelrye%252FDr102808.jpg%26%26cal%3D0.14883720930 232558%26cat%3D0.1497175141242938%26car%3D0.851162 7906976744%26cab%3D0.8502824858757062%26ann%3D