duke football news

[hart2chesson]

"Let's go get greedy in November."

Off week story on how high Duke can aim in the last month of the season.

Recommended reading for

Every call going cheater u's way. Two Pitt players already ejected for targeting. I would say get ready to get screwed by the refs when we play cheater u but we've already played them and have already been screwed. The announcers are obviously pulling for cheater u. As for woody durham's boy you would think it's woody on the tarheel network. OFC

Sky GREAT MINDS think alike. Wes Durham could hardly hold his jollies over his precious 'heels last nite. ACCUNCNETWORK

Hasselbeck wasn't bad and did his best to stay neutral and offset Woody's son. Wes is definitely out to extend his dad's FAWNING OVER UNC legacy.

Someday the Network will off Wes, and he will end his career as play by play radio voice of the 'Holes. Jones Angell will magically show up elsewhere.
#BookIt
#GTHCheatersGTH
OFC

 

[skysdad]

Recommended reading for

Sky GREAT MINDS think alike. Wes Durham could hardly hold his jollies over his precious 'heels last nite. ACCUNCNETWORK

Hasselbeck wasn't bad and did his best to stay neutral and offset Woody's son. Wes is definitely out to extend his dad's legacy.

Someday the Network will off Wes, and he will end his career as play by play radio voice of the 'Holes. Jones Angell will magically show up elsewhere.
#BookIt
#GTHCheatersGTH
OFC

The sooner the better. Wish trip durham would go with him. OFC

 

[surfdevil]

Ouch. In his presser today elko said that eli pancol is likely gone for the season with an injury

 

[ConorONeill]

Yeah, tough news on Pancol. Imagine he's a guy the staff would want back -- but as mentioned, those are going to be conversations they'll have after the season.

Story off of today's presser.

 

[Liftee]

I would like to think that Elko will have the team extra motivated to get to 6 wins.

I'd like to see them establish the run early and then let Riley show off his arm with some long ones in the second and third quarters. The defense just needs to stay physical and avoid giving up any big gains.

 

[ConorONeill]

I would like to think that Elko will have the team extra motivated to get to 6 wins.

I'd like to see them establish the run early and then let Riley show off his arm with some long ones in the second and third quarters. The defense just needs to stay physical and avoid giving up any big gains.

BC's run defense is actually the best thing they've got going for them other than Zay Flowers. The only ACC team they've played that's gone over their season average was VT in the second game of the season. That means Clemson, Louisville, FSU and Wake Forest -- 4 of the top 8 rushing offenses in the ACC -- were held under their averages.

It is very much a "we're going to take this away and make you beat our DBs 1-on-1" scheme.

Given Duke's "we can do whatever we want offensively as long as we execute" offensive approach, that's one of the most-intriguing parts to this game, IMO.

 

[Liftee]

Conor, sounds like if we can run the ball on Friday, we are really set offensively. If we have trouble, then I have faith in Riley to find the open receiver.

Is there anything particular Duke needs to watch out for on defense?

 

[ConorONeill]

It really all boils down to Zay Flowers. He's just as good, possibly a little better, than Josh Downs.

Otherwise, I think UConn knocked Phil Jurkovec around and he might not play. His backup has a big arm and is the likely starter next year (Emmett Morehead). Pat Garwo is their RB and he was decent last year, but their O-line makes it so hard for him to be much of a factor.

 

[hart2chesson]

I expect with all my head and heart for Duke to win this game. I will be very disappointed if we don't come home bowl bound from Chesnut Hill.

I am certain Coach Elko has and will continue to use the break properly, and look for Duke to make life tough on whoever qbs BC. Also if BC gives us a rough time running the ball, Riley should give them fits on RPOs.

31-13, Duke.

OFC

 

[ConorONeill]

Could be of note -- here's the Across the Beat I did with BC's publisher ahead of their game at Wake.

There's some really strong info in there with the qualifier that that game has been played, and BC played another game since then. Hoping to conduct another one with Andy for the Duke side of things this week but that likely wouldn't be ready for another couple of days.

 

[ConorONeill]

5 things to know on BC (free).

Just a programming note: This is in lieu of the Across the Beat that I'd been planning -- our publisher of the BC site got a job with On3 (our loss).

 

[surfdevil]

Well confirmed that pancol done for the season

 

[ConorONeill]

Well confirmed that pancol done for the season

Yeah, it was weird that Elko threw "probably" in there. One of those that he said it, so you've got to publish what he said, but it sounded like there was never much of a chance he'd return this year.

Have a feeling he could return next season. We'll get a clearer picture of which seniors with extra eligibility are planning on returning when we know which ones plan to go through Senior Day ceremony (more importantly, which ones don't).

 

[Liftee]

I wonder if Elko has NFL contacts to tell him what draft potential his players have and whether an additional college season could help that potential.

 

[ConorONeill]

I wonder if Elko has NFL contacts to tell him what draft potential his players have and whether an additional college season could help that potential.

Most programs solicit an NFL board of scouts and personnel, which gives feedback like round projections and areas to work on. Sometimes it's beneficial, sometimes it's not.

When you hear things like "Player X came back to school because he had a 6th-round grade," that's where the grade comes from. I'm not entirely sure how the communication between schools and the NFL works as far as timing.

Also yes -- you don't spend a year at ND and four at Texas A&M without meeting NFL personnel on a semi-regular basis.

 

[ConorONeill]

Preview for tomorrow night's game.

 

[Devilinside]

Preview for tomorrow night's game.

Thanks Conor.

 

[Liftee]

Great write up. Josh Downs was a pain in the neck. We have to do better with BC's guy. The first thing is don't let him get yards after catch. The second is a pass rush which might create turnovers as it has all year.

I'm confident but also nervous about this one. Does that make sense?

 

[ConorONeill]

haha, makes sense to me.

Think that's a natural feeling given where Duke has been the last few years, plus nearly being a double-digit road favorite.

 

[surfdevil]

well we won but cant say we looked good. this bc team scored 3 points on uconn last week and lit us up for 31

 

[Liftee]

On the other hand, we shut down our offense with 8 minutes left and still scored 38 pts. We can play better but still, we go bowling!

 

[pisgah101]

Impressive season for sure… 2 serious questions what is Elkos ceiling if this is year one and 2 if a big time program comes calling will he jump? He’s definitely proving he can coach!

 

[ConorONeill]

Story off of tonight's game.

 

[surfdevil]

Impressive season for sure… 2 serious questions what is Elkos ceiling if this is year one and 2 if a big time program comes calling will he jump? He’s definitely proving he can coach!

yeah i think he will be around for 4-5 years at least. bigger programs had talked to him and he waited and chose us to coach. dont forget he went to penn and really made his name at wake. small private schools dont scare him. i think he saw the nastier side of ''big'' school coaching at texas a&m and nd where money and alumni really wratch up the pressure. i think he looks at what the coach at wake has done and he saying why not me here? just my take but conor might know more

 

[jeffrey236]

I think it’s way too early to worry about Elko leaving. We’re justifiably thrilled about the job he’s done, but I think he’d need a few years of sustained success before one of the heavy hitters come calling. I think Surf is right - minimum of 4-5 years, unless he gets us into the BCS playoffs during that time. Then all bets are off. I hope we have that problem.

 

[surfdevil]

So just for fun I went to a Texas A&M board and man are they pissed about how well elko is doing. Lol. They are happy for him BUT hate that they are stuck with Jimbo and Durkin at DC. As many pointed out, Duke has doubled their amount of wins. Loving this

 

[surfdevil]

Was on a different Duke board and there is talk of an"elkoholic" t shirt. I would by one right now.

 

[BlackKnightNut]

I LOVE THIS TEAM

 

[ConorONeill]

Was on a different Duke board and there is talk of an"elkoholic" t shirt. I would by one right now.

Ha -- I'm curious if that originated from Mark Armstrong, former ABC-11 sports guy in the Triangle. He was the first I saw last night tweet that he needed an Elkoholic t-shirt.

To speak to earlier discussion ... It's a natural connection to make with Elko and his time at Wake to say that Elko wants to do the same thing at Duke, I get it. But that's just not the way the guy operates. He's talked about turning Duke into a national program to match the same level of recognition of other programs at Duke. He sees the Duke brand as carrying more weight -- more akin to Notre Dame and Texas A&M than Wake. Recruiting is probably the most important area in which this applies. Wake is still a developmental program. Elko's vision is for Duke to pull in more of the elite-caliber recruits.

It's ambitious as hell. I don't know if it's going to work that way. I do think he'll stick at Duke for at least as long as the relationship between him and the school's leadership remains strong, and he gets elevated support to match his program's success.

 

[hart2chesson]

Thrilled about this team , their hunger, their success, the way they seem to have fun playing the game!!! I was miserable really since the latter half of the '19 season. My enthusiasm
and lifelong love for Duke football has returned full force. And we're going bowling!!!! Should be leading the Coastal, but the zebras prevented it.... OFC

 

[pisgah101]

Thrilled about this team , their hunger, their success, the way they seem to have fun playing the game!!! I was miserable really since the latter half of the '19 season. My enthusiasm
and lifelong love for Duke football has returned full force. And we're going bowling!!!! Should be leading the Coastal, but the zebras prevented it.... OFC

was hoping UVA would give us a little help of being able to get that still

 

[hart2chesson]

was hoping UVA would give us a little help of being able to get that still

Same here Pisg. UVA blew a legit chance to go up 21-3 early in that game. Obviously Maye is a great qb, but the 'Holes are doing just enough to get by in most games. Don't be fooled by their 8-1 record, they're good, but not great.

OFC

 

[kingbluedevil]

Proud of this team. If it weren't for Mayes season Riley would be getting lot more press.

 

[Liftee]

I have a question for Conor O'Neill.

Do you think if Duke wins another game, and looks good at a decent bowl game, that the conventional wisdom that Duke has no chance being accepted into one of the monster conferences due to its weak football program might change, or is it too early for that?

 

[hart2chesson]

I have a question for Conor O'Neill.

Do you think if Duke wins another game, and looks good at a decent bowl game, that the conventional wisdom that Duke has no chance being accepted into one of the monster conferences due to its weak football program might change, or is it too early for that?

Liftee good question. I also have another for @ConorONeill - Are you surprised Coleman was held out yet AGAIN at RB vs BC. I am really concerned now if we are down to two running backs, after Terry Moore went down vs BC. I will say rb Jaquez Moore has been one of the pleasant surprises of the year!! OFC

 

[ConorONeill]

I have a question for Conor O'Neill.

Do you think if Duke wins another game, and looks good at a decent bowl game, that the conventional wisdom that Duke has no chance being accepted into one of the monster conferences due to its weak football program might change, or is it too early for that?

It's too early to say. One good (or great) season is fantastic and should be enjoyed -- but it takes sustained success to change perception. I think the ACC stays together as is for at least several more years so there's time for Duke to make itself more attractive, but the trajectory has to continue.

I'll add: Bowl performance is going to mean less and less. The frequency of opt-outs from key players and the oversaturation -- I think we're up to 41 or 42 bowls this year -- makes those games more of exhibitions rather than crowning achievements. I don't mean to rain on the parade here with Duke becoming bowl eligible, clearly it's meaningful for a program that's been in the depths for a few years. Just saying bowl performance means little in the purview of realignment.

Liftee good question. I also have another for @ConorONeill - Are you surprised Coleman was held out yet AGAIN at RB vs BC. I am really concerned now if we are down to two running backs, after Terry Moore went down vs BC. I will say rb Jaquez Moore has been one of the pleasant surprises of the year!! OFC

Yes and no ... I think if Coleman was in the same situation as Mataeo Durant last year, being the bell cow with a drop to No. 2, he'd probably be playing. Given Duke's depth at RB, they've been in no rush to get him back.

So with T. Moore's status up in the air, too, I think Coleman could be back against VT.

 

[Liftee]

Thanks Conor. Being Bowl eligible is a big deal because (a) it means we are winning as many games as we are losing; and (b) another month of practice. I myself hope to attend if the bowl game is on the east coast, but of course that is dependent on family obligations.

 

[surfdevil]

now jacob monk done for the year. injuries starting to pile up

 

[Liftee]

Oh boy. That one hurts. The offensive line is so important to what Duke does.

 

[ConorONeill]

Story from today's press conference with Mike Elko.

Kind of a double story that could've been broken up into two separates -- one about Duke's November win, the other about Jacob Monk's injury.