FB: Duke 29, N.C. State 19

gep said:
This is perplexing for me (obviously not a "technical" football fan). The OL is apparently very good at blocking/protecting Murphy in pass plays. But then appears to be woeful in run blocking. I know I'm missing something :rolleyes:
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Not always, in fact most games I'd say that's not true. But State did a hell of job today, they obviously paid attention in the film room.
 
CameronBornAndBred said:
Not always, in fact most games I'd say that's not true. But State did a hell of job today, they obviously paid attention in the film room.
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I thought the State DC came up with a brilliant defensive scheme for Duke, and it worked for the most part, at least in the first half (aside from the spectacular TD pass-and-catch). It took Murphy's best game to overcome it, and State did not have the offensive horses to overcome the Duke D.
 
Bob Green said:
On offense, I’m hopeful we can achieve some success in the run game and throw the ball downfield. State is ranked 89/133 giving up 233 yards passing per game and 74/133 giving up 152 yards rushing per game. Balance is always the key on offense. B

Let’s Go Duke!
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State’s Pass D performed true to those numbers but their Rush D played well above expectations, befitting a top 10 ranking. Their backside pursuit was impressive as well and they are just simply faster than Duke.

But Duke has Murphy and a pretty impressive stable of receivers whereas State has a freshman QB and that was determinative.

Loved the halftime adjustments to State’s zone coverage by Brewer. Screen passes to Brown and Hagens that went nowhere in the first half produced drive sustaining big gainers in the second, that’s effective game management. Murphy had his best game of the season and played with poise except for a brief lapse after his rushing TD. His accuracy on downfield throws has improved dramatically though it still puzzles me a bit why Duke likes to run those sideline routes on Ist down that have a low probability of success. Seemed like Duke faced an inordinate number of “2nd and 10s”. Interceptions happen for two reasons: bad throws and bad decisions. Quarterbacks who have questionable mechanics, weak arms and generally skills ill-matched to the position make bad throws. QBs who have trouble with game management I.e. can’t readi defenses, can’t manage the complexities of the RPO system or react poorly to pressure when plays break down make bad decisions. Murphy’s interceptions, when they have occurred resulted from bad decisions. Yesterday: two passing touchdowns , no interceptions, are an indication of an improved understanding and ability to process strategy as game conditions fluctuate. IOW he put together an impressive “head game” to complement his natural athletic skills suited for the role. More simply stated he was fun to watch.
 
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gep said:
This is perplexing for me (obviously not a "technical" football fan). The OL is apparently very good at blocking/protecting Murphy in pass plays. But then appears to be woeful in run blocking. I know I'm missing something :rolleyes: Is it coaching, scheming, etc????
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As it has been explained to me...pass blocking involves just keeping the defense away from a spot (your quarterback). For run blocking the OL has to work to free up a specific spot on the line for the runner. So let's say you push two defenders into one another that works for pass blocking. If you push them into one another and that happens to be the hole for the running back that's not good. This is of course a huge simplification and makes it easier for me to watch the line play.
 
Love we are 7-3 with wins over the Cheats and Pack. Our record is a bit of a mirage; only one win over a team with winning record (UConn at 7-3 also😙).

But still much better team than I expected.
 
I have to say this after yesterday. I am one of those who has felt that Murphy's, let's call it inability to extend plays, has made the offense easier to defend. However, after his keepers, especially on the goal line, which resulted in a touchdown in spite of serious contact after a nice cut back, has earned him the nickname in our family: Turf Terror. Way to put yourself on the line for the team, Sir. And nice QB draw by my boy Loftis, too. Let's make my 9-3 prediction come true. If you don't believe that I did, go to the Bull City Coordinators podcast from the beginning of the season. Also, kudos to our FG kicker who has endured some unfair criticism.
 
I could use some insight about Duke’s 5’7” kickoff specialist.

We’ve witnessed some strange and always untimely boots .

On purpose?
Any explanation from coaches ?
Happen in HS ?
Interviews?
 
CameronBlue said:
Murphy’s interceptions, when they have occurred resulted from bad decisions. Yesterday: two passing touchdowns , no interceptions, are an indication of an improved understanding and ability to process strategy as game conditions fluctuate. IOW he put together an impressive “head game” to complement his natural athletic skills suited for the role. More simply stated he was fun to watch.
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Murphy’s passing numbers are impressive: 22 touchdowns, 8 interceptions, 2,336 yards. Those 22 touchdowns have been spread across eight receivers/running backs.
 
Mike Petrik said:
Fair enough, but OTOH we should have defeated SMU and could have defeated GT. We’re a good team that is almost very good.
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Sorry, but I usually disagree with takes like this. Of our 7 wins, there are at least two of them that could easily have gone the other way. And I would have said "could" instead of "should" regarding SMU; the Ponies were obviously the superior team in that game and only kept us in it with their occasional ball-handling issues (I get the fact we missed a chippie FG, but I just can't say we deserved to win that game).
 
CameronBornAndBred said:
Not always, in fact most games I'd say that's not true. But State did a hell of job today, they obviously paid attention in the film room.
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Star did WAY too much dancing behind the line, too. Instead of just hitting the holes (narrow as they may have been) and picking up some positive yards after contact. 2-3 yard gain is much better than no gain or a TFL when you're going laterally and have no momentum.
 
gep said:
This is perplexing for me (obviously not a "technical" football fan). The OL is apparently very good at blocking/protecting Murphy in pass plays. But then appears to be woeful in run blocking. I know I'm missing something :rolleyes: Is it coaching, scheming, etc????
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State defense loaded the box almost totally stopping our run game. Thankfully, Murphy countered their strategy with perhaps his best day of the year.
 
75Crazie said:
Sorry, but I usually disagree with takes like this. Of our 7 wins, there are at least two of them that could easily have gone the other way. And I would have said "could" instead of "should" regarding SMU; the Ponies were obviously the superior team in that game and only kept us in it with their occasional ball-handling issues (I get the fact we missed a chippie FG, but I just can't say we deserved to win that game).
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Don’t disagree that we won some we could have lost, but disagree about SMU. Any team that gives up, what was it 6 turnovers, is not the superior team. They won it because our usually reliable kicker had a bad game.

Manny has this team playing remarkably well. They bring it EVERY week. They may lose, but when in the last 50 years has Duke been in it every game. And a special shoutout to our receivers especially Jordan Moore. He has been exceptional and will play at the next level. I thought last year’s staff might have been the best teaching staff at Duke in forever, but this one is superior. When injuries hit last year we didn’t have folks who could step up. This year we play a lot of guys and the non starters keep stepping up. Can’t remember Duke football ever having any depth.
 
luvdahops said:
Star did WAY too much dancing behind the line, too. Instead of just hitting the holes (narrow as they may have been) and picking up some positive yards after contact. 2-3 yard gain is much better than no gain or a TFL when you're going laterally and have no momentum.
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that's why I like Jones more, but we didn't see much of him. Wonder if he got dinged up.
 
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