The Sports Xchange
NCAAF Team Report – Duke – INSIDE SLANT
The Blue Devils could get used to this. They’ve won five of their first six games and sit one game away from bowl eligibility, something that hasn’t been achieved since 1994.
So it’s about winning the right way, too.
“It’s the style (in which) we did it, putting up 42 points on a good team like that,” receiver Conner Vernon said.
Duke conquered Virginia 42-17 despite trailing at halftime. But the Blue Devils scored 28 points in the second half while shutting out the Cavaliers.
The confidence level has risen throughout the season, perhaps in large part because the Blue Devils have won while overcoming a series of injuries to key players. They’ve been without senior quarterback Sean Renfree since late in the third quarter of the Sept. 29 triumph at Wake Forest.
“I love coming back to a locker room like that,” Duke offensive guard Dave Harding said of the celebration after beating Virginia. “I was expecting to be (at least) 5-1. I was hoping for 6-0.”
Now the Blue Devils have their sights on even more.
———————————————–
NCAAF Team Report – Duke – NOTES, QUOTES
WHAT’S AHEAD: The Blue Devils play another Coastal Division game against an opponent from the state of Virginia. This time, it’s a road game at Virginia Tech.
–Senior WR Conner Vernon became the ACC’s all-time leader in receptions, breaking a tie with former Clemson WR Aaron Kelly, who had 232. Vernon’s record catch went for minus-2 yards a play before he made a 37-yard touchdown grab from QB Anthony Boone. Vernon has caught two or more passes in 40 games in his career.
“I just try to catch every ball,” Vernon said.
–The Blue Devils have trailed in three of their five victories this season. They ended the game against Virginia by scoring the last 28 points. Maybe they have Virginia’s number because the 42-17 victory marked the second-largest margin in an ACC win under fifth-year coach David Cutcliffe. The other larger margin came with a 28-point whipping of the Cavaliers in 2008.
“A lot of intensity, a lot of consistency, a lot of really fine execution on both sides of the ball,” Cutcliffe said of the latest conquest.
KEEP AN EYE ON: DE Kenny Anunike has been a force along the defensive front. He has been involved in at least one sack in every game this season. His six total tackles against Virginia marked a season-high tally.
LOOKING GOOD: S Jordon Byas has recorded 11 tackles in back-to-back games. His ability to play physical and help in stopping the rushing attack from opponents is one of the components that makes him valuable in the secondary. He was given credit for 1.5 tackles for loss against Virginia, marking a career best in that category for the senior.
STILL NEEDS WORK: There were pass-protection issues that cropped up for the Blue Devils, particularly in the first half against Virginia. Even with that, Boone avoided taking a sack in the game against Virginia and a couple of his scrambles turned into positive plays for the Blue Devils.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “It’s a big thing for me. I had a little jitters at first. But once I calmed down and settled in, I feel like I executed pretty well.” — QB Anthony Boone, a sophomore, on his first career start in which he completed 18 of 31 passes for four touchdowns and 212 yards.
———————————————–
NCAAF Team Report – Duke – STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL
PLAYER NOTES:
–QB Anthony Boone made his first career start, filling in for QB Sean Renfree, who injured his right elbow a week earlier at Wake Forest. Boone, a redshirt sophomore, picked up 14 yards on a rushing play on his first snap. His first pass went for a 54-yard touchdown to WR Jamison Crowder.
–S Walt Canty made three tackles for loss against Virginia on his way to 14 total tackles. Canty, a senior, passed the 200-tackle total for his career.
–CB Tony Foster, who began his career as a receiver before becoming a special teams regular and then moving to defense, started for the first time this season on the defensive side. Foster, a fifth-year senior, made his first career interception in the first quarter, leading to a Duke touchdown two plays later.
ROSTER REPORT
–CB Lee Butler didn’t start against Virginia, missing the opening snaps a week after suffering an undisclosed lower-body injury at Wake Forest. He was used in situations that called for an extra defensive back.
–CB Ross Cockrell made his fourth interception of the season and the eighth of his career. He tacked on six tackles against Virginia.
–LB David Helton was back on the field a week after leaving the game at Wake Forest with an injury. He played in a backup role, but collected five tackles against Virginia.
==
———————————————–
