Tag Archives: Josh Snead

Duke football 2013 spring unit breakdowns: running backs

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For the week leading up to Duke football’s 2013 Spring Game, the Blue Zone will be breaking down this year’s returning squad unit by unit to examine the key changes you’ll see for next year’s Blue Devils. Today we go through the running backs, which we explored in more depth in today’s Chronicle. 

Key returners: senior Juwan Thompson, redshirt junior Josh Snead, sophomore Jela Duncan

(Photo by Elysia Su/The Chronicle)

Jela Duncan was Duke’s leading rusher last season, despite being a true freshman. (Photo by Elysia Su/The Chronicle)

Key departures: None

Now in the mix: sophomore Shaquille Powell, freshman Joseph Ajeigbe

2012 performance: Although the Blue Devils rushed for only 125 yards per game in 2012 while surrendering over 200 yards a game to their opponents, Duke’s ground attack showed signs of promise at various times throughout the year. Often overshadowed by the shotgun spread offense and skill of quarterback Sean Renfree and his bevy of talented wideouts, the Blue Devils relied on a trio of runners to help carry the burden of the offensive load. Juwann Thompson, Josh Snead and true freshman Jela Duncan combined for more than 1,400 yards, while averaging right around five yards per carry. The offense relegated the running game to the backseat at time, though, especially late in the season when Duke often found itself down in the second half of games and was forced to rely on pass-heavy play calling.

Duncan was Duke’s leading rusher, racking up 553 yards and four touchdowns on the ground. He showed little problem adjusting to the physicality of ACC play, using his bruising style to punish defenders that got in his way. Duncan also exhibited versatility out of the backfield, reeling in 19 receptions on the year. Thompson and Snead also proved to be highly versatile, catching a combined 34 passes for 174 yards and three touchdowns.

Powell was as highly touted coming out of high school as Duncan, but saw limited action in 2012, only rushing for 93 yards on 28 carries.

Season outlook: As of now, there is no clear No. 1 option at running back, and the carries will most likely be distributed evenly between the four backs, at least to start the year. Head coach David Cutcliffe said, however, that the back with the hot hand will remain in the game as the go-to option.

Duke has been practicing the zone-read—a fast-paced, run-oriented offensive style—all spring in hopes of utilizing its depth at running back and an up-tempo offense to wear down opponents on the ground. Traditionally a pass-first team, the Blue Devils will be more focused on longer scoring drives that tire and demoralize a defense, as opposed to the quick touchdown drives that were so frequent in 2012 with Renfree taking the snaps. Redshirt junior quarterback Anthony Boone’s ability to make plays on the ground—something Renfree was not know for—will add another dimension to the running game, opening up holes for the talented running backs as defenses will have to focus on a mobile quarterback as well.

The running backs will be under the tutelage of a new position coach for the 2013 season, former Duke standout Re’quan Boyette, who graduated in 2009. Boyette spent two seasons as a team captain and racked up more than 1,200 yards in his career as a Blue Devil. The newly hired coach foresees a run-by-committee style of play, inserting different backs throughout the game to wear defenses down and establish Duke as one of the ACC’s prominent rushing teams.

Previous unit breakdowns: Quarterbacks 

Duke football review: MVPs, surprises, expectations

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With Duke football sitting at 3-1 for the first time since 2008 and gearing up for a game against Wake Forest, who they have not beaten since 1999, The Chronicle’s four football beat writers sat down to hand out some awards now that we’re one-third through the 12-game regular season.

Our beat writers name offensive and defensive MVPs, the biggest surprise and the biggest disappointment on the team and predict Duke’s end of season record.

The only consensus pick? Ross Cockrell, the team’s defensive MVP.

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Duke football injury report vs. Wake Forest

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As the 3-1 Blue Devils prepare to take on Wake Forest in Winston-Salem Saturday at 12:30 p.m., Duke released its weekly injury report. Here’s a rundown of the players are listed on the injury report this week:

PROBABLE
CB Lee Butler (leg)
OG Lucas Patrick (ankle)

QUESTIONABLE
QB Brandon Connette (leg)
TE Erich Schneider (lower body)

OUT
CB Jared Boyd (leg)
LB Kelby Brown (leg)
NG Jamal Bruce (foot)
TE Braxton Deaver (leg)
DE Justin Foxx (hand)
S Chris Tavarez (leg)

OUT FOR SEASON
TE Jack Farrell (leg)
WR Blair Holliday
DE Allen Jackson (shoulder)
S Corbin McCarthy (shoulder)
S Taylor Sowell (leg)

Breakdown: Chris Tavarez became the latest Blue Devil safety to find himself on the injury report when he underwent surgery to repair a torn lateral meniscus in his left knee Wednesday. No timetable has been set for his return. Tavarez has recorded just two tackles for Duke this season, but has been a key contributor on special teams. With a bevy of injuries to the Blue Devil defense, and specifically the secondary, it may be Duke’s special teams unit that has suffered the most. After rearranging the kicking teams yet again this week, head coach David Cutcliffe will need to shuffle the lineup again during Tavarez’s indefinite absence. Tavarez was not the only safety to find himself added to the injury report this week. Safety Taylor Sowell was deemed out for the season with a leg injury, joining fellow safety Corbin McCarthy, who has also been lost for the year.

There are some fleeting positives for the Blue Devils this week on the injury front. After leaving last week’s win against Memphis due to injury, running back Josh Snead has not been listed on this week’s injury report and cornerback Lee Butler, listed as probable, should start. Duke will also welcome guard Lucas Patrick back to the lineup for the first time this season. Patrick was listed as questionable for last weekend’s contest against the Tigers but was a late scratch. The Blue Devils will also have linebacker Brandon Fowler and safety August Campbell at their disposal this weekend against the Demon Deacons, after they were both listed as out on the previous week’s injury report.

Campbell’s return to the lineup will be particularly crucial for the Duke, who can’t seem to keep their safeties on the field this year. Campbell will link up in the defensive backfield with Jordon Byas, Brandon Braxton and Walt Canty to form the most complete secondary the Blue Devils have played with all season, despite the loss of Tavarez.

Another interesting addition to this week’s injury report was Brandon Connette. Connette, who has been a hybrid offensive weapon for the Blue Devils this season, making appearances at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end, has registered five touchdowns for Duke in 2012—one through the air, three on the ground and one his first career touchdown reception. Playing at spots all over the offense as well as stints on the punt team and free safety, it’s understandable that Connette has taken more than a few hits this season. He is listed as questionable for this weekend’s matchup with the Demon Deacons with a leg injury. If Connette cannot go, that will provide a significant blow to the Blue Devils’ offensive unit this week. It may be possible quarterback Sean Renfree will have to take more snaps in the red zone than he is accustomed to, or that you may see more of Anthony Boone this weekend against Wake Forest.

As players continue to get shuffled on and off the injury report, it’s not exactly what Duke wanted to see headed into their ACC opener against a physical Demon Deacons squad.

Week 5: Quick Hits from Lunch With Cut

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Duke football head coach David Cutcliffe held his weekly press conference today, addressing Duke’s 38-14 victory over Memphis and their next matchup. Here are some highlights from his 30-minute question and answer session. The Blue Devils (3-1, 0-0- in the ACC) face Wake Forest (3-1, 1-1) at BB&T Field this Saturday at 12:30 p.m.

“As we move forward, the biggest and most important part of this season is dead ahead.” —Cutcliffe

Cutcliffe spoke about Duke's history with Wake Forest, this week's matchup and injuries to Josh Snead and Lee Butler at this week's media luncheon.

The Blue Devils will travel to Winston-Salem this weekend for the team’s first ACC contest of the 2012 season, and will play a stretch of six consecutive conference games before an open date on Nov. 10. Duke is in unfamiliar territory heading into this weekend’s matchup, off to its first 3-1 start since 2008 and halfway to its first bowl berth since 1994 as conference play gets underway. With what should be close contests against Wake Forest and Virginia in the next two weeks, Cutcliffe stressed the importance of performing in highly-contested ACC matchups, especially in a road environment.

“It’s critical to compete well and play well on the road in our league if you’re going to have a chance to compete in our league,” Cutcliffe said. “So we’ve got that test right off the bat with a team that has beaten us since we’ve been here. This is an opportunity to test ourselves against an extremely well-coached football team.”

Blue Devils look to break infamous drought against Demon Deacons this weekend.

Duke football has not defeated Wake Forest since 1999, with the Demon Deacons taking each of the last 12 contests. Not only have the Blue Devils been haunted by the Demon Deacons over the years, they’ve developed a knack for losing these games in excruciating fashion. Five of the past six matchups between Duke and Wake Forest have come down to the wire and were decided by fewer than six points. The Blue Devils hope for a reversal of fortune in this weekend’s contest, but will face a disciplined Demon Deacons squad on their home turf.

“You have to give credit to their playmakers for making critical plays late in the game. They’re a good program,” Cutcliffe said. “They take care of the football. They play the kicking game well. They do a lot of the little things right and they’ve done that for quite some time and that will win a lot of games for you. They’ve obviously done that better than we have to this point.”

“I think the biggest thing is he throws the ball on time and he throws it so accurately, he is not going to make many mistakes.” —Cutcliffe

Wake Forest quarterback Tanner Price has emerged as one of the most dangerous signal-callers in the ACC, and will be a point of emphasis for the Blue Devil defense heading into Saturday’s contest. The junior has led Wake Forest to two victories over Duke in his college career and has thrown for 825 yards, three touchdowns and two interceptions this season. Cutcliffe stressed Price’s ability to take care of the football as one of his biggest assets. Although the Blue Devil defensive unit played its strongest game of the year in their win against Memphis, Duke did not force a turnover while giving away four of its own. Ball control is one of the Demon Deacons’ greatest strengths, as Wake Forest has thrown just two interceptions and has not lost a fumble this season.

“We had some people that couldn’t practice today. I’m concerned again about some not being available.”—Cutcliffe

After welcoming Jordon Byas and Kyler Brown back to the lineup against Memphis, Duke saw running back Josh Snead and cornerback Lee Butler leave the win against the Tigers with injuries. Cutcliffe said Sunday that the injuries were not as bad as the team originally feared, though would not disclose on Tuesday whether or not Snead and Butler had participated in practice or what their playing status was for Saturday. According to fellow cornerback Ross Cockrell, Butler did participate in practice today for the Blue Devils. More information will be made public about Snead and Butler’s injuries when Duke releases its weekly injury report Thursday.

Cutcliffe did say that despite its laundry list of injuries, Duke’s energy and intensity in practice this morning was high.

“We’re wounded, but we were out there in full pads and you had to back them off some of the contact a little bit,” Cutcliffe said. “The team is wounded, but I promise you the program is better than it’s ever been.”

Sportswrap: THREE DOWN, THREE TO GO

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The Chronicle’s weekly sportswrap supplement came out today titled, “THREE DOWN, THREE TO GO.”

The Duke football team defeated Memphis 38-14, giving the team its first 3-1 start since 2008 and placing them halfway to its first bowl game since 1994. 

Here are all the other links from sportswrap that you should be sure to check out:

And be sure not to miss out on any of Duke’s action this week—see the graphic below for a schedule of this week’s events.

 

 

Josh Snead and Lee Butler’s playing status uncertain

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Duke was relieved to welcome two players back to the lineup Saturday in a 38-14 against Memphis, but now the Blue Devils hold their breath as they wait for word on potential further injuries.

After a slow start against the Tigers, the Blue Devils dominated the second half en route to matching the team’s win total in 2011 just four games into the season, but it appears Saturday’s action may not have come without a price. Running back Josh Snead, who was the Duke’s leading rusher entering Saturday’s contest, and cornerback Lee Butler, who also serves as the Blue Devils’ punt returner, both left the game with injuries.

Snead was relatively ineffective in Duke’s win, carrying the ball seven times for just 14 yards. He appeared to injure himself on a carry at the goal line, in which he was stuffed at the line of scrimmage and subsequently left the field.

Butler’s injury was less apparent, though he certainly got his work in on Saturday, recording a tackle on defense and returning six punts for 68 yards and kickoffs for 40 yards. Since being inserted as Duke’s primary punt returner last week, Butler has been an impact player on special teams, returning a punt for a touchdown against N.C. Central and giving the Tigers’ special teams unit fits.

Duke football head coach David Cutcliffe did not disclose much about the extent of Snead and Butler’s injuries, but it appeared the Blue Devils will be cautious with both players in practice this week. For now, the indication is Duke will wait and see, though it seems as if the pair will be limited in practice this week in preparation for its ACC opener against Wake Forest.

“They looked okay today. They’re not going to be out there doing anything the day afterward, it may not be as bad as we thought but you just don’t know. It’s too early in the week,” Cutcliffe said. “Both of them were encouraged that maybe they won’t feel as bad as they thought they might have, but that remains to be seen whether they’ll be able to play or not.”

Although Snead and Butler left the game with injuries, Saturday marked the return of safety Jordon Byas and linebacker Kyler Brown. Byas recorded six tackles in the game.