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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.”

Week 4: 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 54-17 victory over N.C. Central and their next matchup. Here are some highlights from his 30-minute question and answer session. The Blue Devils (2-1) face Memphis (0-3) at Wallace Wade Stadium this Saturday at 6 p.m.

Duke welcomes injured players back to practice this week.

Cutcliffe spoke about getting healthier, the success of Ross Cockrell, the flexibility of Brandon Connette and the leadership of Sean Renfree at this week's media luncheon.

The Blue Devils have been hampered by injuries all season, but Cutcliffe indicated today that the team is finally starting to get healthier. Safety Jordon Byas and linebacker Kyler Brown saw action in practice Tuesday morning after missing Duke’s last game. Cutcliffe added that guard Lucas Patrick participated in practice, which was conducted in full pads, as well.

“We’ll know a little bit more Thursday about their game status. It felt good to them, it felt good to us and I think it felt good to their teammates,” Cutcliffe said. “I thought we had the best Tuesday we’ve had, what we have to do is have the best week by having the best Wednesday. But it helps to get a few familiar faces out there.”

“We’re at a stage, particularly when we’ve been short-handed, that they’re all must-wins for us.”—Cutcliffe

Cutcliffe addressed his next opponent, Memphis, and stressed the importance of potentially entering Duke’s first ACC matchup with a 3-1 record. The Tigers are still searching for their first win this season, dropping to 0-3 last weekend after falling 48-30 to Middle Tennessee State. Although Memphis appears to be one of the easier opponents on the Blue Devils’ schedule this season, Cutcliffe pointed out specific facets of the game, including blocking and tackling, that he wishes to improve upon from last week’s win over N.C. Central.

“They keep scoring every time I turn on the tape.”—Cutcliffe

Cutcliffe said special teams will play a factor in Saturday’s matchup with the Tigers. Memphis has scored two touchdowns on special teams this season and have excelled in their kick coverage. The Blue Devils have scored two touchdowns on special teams as well, but Cutcliffe said they will need to be wary of the Tigers’ dangerous special teams unit.

“They’ve blocked three punts, they scored with one of those. They recovered a fumble in the end zone on a punt. They’re all over the place,” Cutcliffe said. “They have dangerous returners and I think they only have one non-touchback on their kickoffs. They are playing well in the kicking game.”

“He’s got a big part in the plan. I’m really proud of him. He’s very committed to learning and being a part of what we’re doing.”—Cutcliffe on Brandon Connette, who continues to play multiple positions for Duke

After appearing at quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end for the Blue Devils in their first two games, Connette added yet another position to his repertoire against N.C. Central when he lined up for his first snaps on the defensive side of the ball. Cutcliffe said he was impressed with Connette’s play at free safety and his capacity to learn new positions, while also adding that he doesn’t expect any other players to start playing both ways anytime soon.

“Not quite yet. It’s still staying in my mind,” Cutcliffe said. “I’m trying to continue to find a way that we can get, at least situationally, the best 11 football players we can get on the field.”

“Ross is just that kind of young man. I never lost confidence in him because he never lost his confidence.”—Cutcliffe

Cutcliffe spoke very highly of Ross Cockrell, lauding the cornerback for the strides he has made since a difficult freshman season. Cockrell was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week for his two-interception performance against N.C. Central, and is among the top corners in the nation with three interceptions on the season. He is the only Duke player to intercept a pass this year.

“If there ever was an AFCA Good Works national member, it’s Sean Renfree.”—Cutcliffe

Quarterback Sean Renfree was one of 11 college football players named to the AFCA National Good Works Team, Cutcliffe announced Tuesday afternoon. Renfree has been recognized for his service to both the Duke and Durham communities, and was lauded by his head coach for receiving the honor.

“Sean, as most people know, goes about his business very quietly. He spends a lot of time in service for a lot of people,” Cutcliffe said. “A hearty congratulations to Sean, his family and his teammates. That’s pretty exciting news.”

Elliot Williams is Heading Home

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As expected, Elliot Williams will be heading home. Five days after receiving his release from Duke in order to play closer to his ailing mother, Williams made official his transfer to play for his hometown Memphis Tigers. The St. George School product didn’t see much action in his first few months as a Blue Devil but came on strong after assuming a spot in the starting lineup during the final third of the season.

Williams’ addition to the Memphis program stems a steady stream of personnel losses for the Tigers, who will return with a new coach (Josh Pastner, who replaced new Kentucky coach John Calipari) and only one player (Doneal Mack) who averaged at least 25 minutes played last season.