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Well...what looked to be a great opportunity for a win just got a bit tougher, but our guys pulled off their own upset. Still, UVA beat the Miami team that recently beat us up. (Although knocking out Jacori Harris was not part of our game plan). Here's what coach has to say.

"You just see an entire Virginia team that's more opportunistic and tougher," Cutcliffe said. "They are loaded with juniors and seniors that have played a lot of football. They are physically tough. What happened with them and Miami is certainly not an accident."

http://www.heraldsun.com/view/full_stor ... in_article

After watching us against Navy, I feel we once again have the confidence to win. Same story line though...DO NOT TURN THE BALL OVER!!! (Which by the way worked wonders last weekend! )

Virginia has been a bit up and down this season. Whether they can maintain the level of play they showed Saturday is a huge question.

I think it's time for Duke to put together a conference win in November. This team has turned the corner.

We need to be successful in the same areas we were in the victory over Navy:

1. Positive turnover ratio.
2. Win time of possession so that means sustaining drives by converting on 3rd down.
3. Strong defensive performance - I expect Virginia to show classic balance by establishing the running game and then passing early and often. Verica is a quality QB and the Cavaliers will test our secondary.
4. Run the ball enough to make Virginia think about it.
5. Special teams success. Against Navy the two onsides kick recoveries by Vernon and Helfet were huge. I'm still looking for us to run a kickoff or punt back for a TD or to block an opponent's punt.

It would be great to jump out to another early lead, but however the game unfolds, Duke needs to play four quarters and keep the offensive pressure on to the end. I know I'm not posting anything enlightening, but posting these thoughts makes me feel better. Is it Saturday yet? A win on Saturday, which would be Coach Cutcliffe's first November victory at Duke, would be a huge step in the right direction for this season and Duke football. The six game losing streak was terrible and zapped everyone's enthusiasm, however, this season is still salvageable.

Bob Green wrote:We need to be successful in the same areas we were in the victory over Navy:

1. Positive turnover ratio.
2. Win time of possession so that means sustaining drives by converting on 3rd down.
3. Strong defensive performance - I expect Virginia to show classic balance by establishing the running game and then passing early and often. Verica is a quality QB and the Cavaliers will test our secondary.4. Run the ball enough to make Virginia think about it.
5. Special teams success. Against Navy the two onsides kick recoveries by Vernon and Helfet were huge. I'm still looking for us to run a kickoff or punt back for a TD or to block an opponent's punt.

It would be great to jump out to another early lead, but however the game unfolds, Duke needs to play four quarters and keep the offensive pressure on to the end. I know I'm not posting anything enlightening, but posting these thoughts makes me feel better. Is it Saturday yet? A win on Saturday, which would be Coach Cutcliffe's first November victory at Duke, would be a huge step in the right direction for this season and Duke football. The six game losing streak was terrible and zapped everyone's enthusiasm, however, this season is still salvageable.

Our secondary was picked to pieces once Navy figured out the ground attack was getting them nowhere. They are the defense's Achilles heel, but just as we were ready for what Navy offered I'm sure they will be ready..at least on paper...for what they expect from UVA. Unfortunately what is practiced is hard to translate to the field if you don't have the skillset to pull it off. That's what I think the issue is with our DB's...the skills will come with experience and as we get better talent in, but right now I think physically it's just not there.

CameronBornAndBred wrote:Our secondary was picked to pieces once Navy figured out the ground attack was getting them nowhere. They are the defense's Achilles heel, but just as we were ready for what Navy offered I'm sure they will be ready..at least on paper...for what they expect from UVA. Unfortunately what is practiced is hard to translate to the field if you don't have the skillset to pull it off. That's what I think the issue is with our DB's...the skills will come with experience and as we get better talent in, but right now I think physically it's just not there.

I agree with you with the caveat that our corner backs are our Achilles Heel. Chris Rwabukamba and Johnny Williams are not and will never be ACC quality CBs (IMO). Ross Cockrell is inexperienced. At safety, we are actually in good shape. Matt Daniels, Lee Butler, Walt Canty, and a couple of others are good players. The #1 improvement our safeties need are a couple of lock down CBs to play alongside. Cockrell has potential. I don't know who will be the second one...we have several more DBs arriving next year. Now, just to be clear, I'm not saying our safeties are perfect, as there is always room for improvement.

Here is a nice article from the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/co ... 04921.html

Just a quick FYI for those who spend way too much time perusing the Internet, the Washington Post has an excellent sports section and is a good place to waste lots of time. Moreover, there is another poll, so vote for Duke:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/cavali ... _ag_6.html

Bob

Bob Green wrote: Just a quick FYI for those who spend way too much time perusing the Internet, the Washington Post has an excellent sports section and is a good place to waste lots of time. Moreover, there is another poll, so vote for Duke:

The Post is one of the things I miss most about living in D.C. In the days without internet, they were a great source for my Duke stories and the ACC in general.

Sweet Devils day.

We achieved a great deal of success with the toss sweep today including Desmond Scott's big TD run at the end. Another new wrinkle was the option look when QB was Connette and the slot receiver would come in motion for the inside hand-off (the play Donovan Varner ran for a TD) or Connette would keep the ball and run. We ran the ball 45 times for 228 yards!

This was a great game to watch on TV and I'm sure those of you at the game loved it.

Bob " " Green

Bob Green wrote:We achieved a great deal of success with the toss sweep today including Desmond Scott's big TD run at the end. Another new wrinkle was the option look when QB was Connette and the slot receiver would come in motion for the inside hand-off (the play Donovan Varner ran for a TD) or Connette would keep the ball and run. We ran the ball 45 times for 228 yards!

This was a great game to watch on TV and I'm sure those of you at the game loved it.

Bob " " Green

It was Nirvana in Iceland! Cold, rainy and some wind, but oh what a game!

Bob Green wrote:We achieved a great deal of success with the toss sweep today including Desmond Scott's big TD run at the end. Another new wrinkle was the option look when QB was Connette and the slot receiver would come in motion for the inside hand-off (the play Donovan Varner ran for a TD) or Connette would keep the ball and run. We ran the ball 45 times for 228 yards!

This was a great game to watch on TV and I'm sure those of you at the game loved it.

Bob " " Green

There were several plays used today that have been worked on in practice but never used in a game before. Cut and the OC kept them under wraps intentionally and did NOT use them last week Navy. Sounds like a great plan.

devildeac wrote:

Bob Green wrote:We achieved a great deal of success with the toss sweep today including Desmond Scott's big TD run at the end. Another new wrinkle was the option look when QB was Connette and the slot receiver would come in motion for the inside hand-off (the play Donovan Varner ran for a TD) or Connette would keep the ball and run. We ran the ball 45 times for 228 yards!

This was a great game to watch on TV and I'm sure those of you at the game loved it.

Bob " " Green

There were several plays used today that have been worked on in practice but never used in a game before. Cut and the OC kept them under wraps intentionally and did NOT use them last week Navy. Sounds like a great plan.

I hope there are some more hidden plays for use against BC.

Devil in the Blue Dress wrote:

devildeac wrote:

Bob Green wrote:We achieved a great deal of success with the toss sweep today including Desmond Scott's big TD run at the end. Another new wrinkle was the option look when QB was Connette and the slot receiver would come in motion for the inside hand-off (the play Donovan Varner ran for a TD) or Connette would keep the ball and run. We ran the ball 45 times for 228 yards!

This was a great game to watch on TV and I'm sure those of you at the game loved it.

Bob " " Green

There were several plays used today that have been worked on in practice but never used in a game before. Cut and the OC kept them under wraps intentionally and did NOT use them last week Navy. Sounds like a great plan.

I hope there are some more hidden plays for use against BC.

There are...

;)

I'm excited to hear there are more hidden plays we will breakout against BC, however, I'm equally excited to see us run the toss sweep and QB option some more. Those plays worked great.

Any word on Conner Vernon? That was a vicious hit he took on the kick-off return. I was really happy to see Vernon returning kick-offs as he is a true playmaker and we need the ball in his hands as much as possible. After Vernon took the big hit, my happiness disappeared. The sooner Josh Snead is back returning kick-offs the better, as we need Vernon catching passes.

Bob " " Green

Bob Green wrote:I'm excited to hear there are more hidden plays we will breakout against BC, however, I'm equally excited to see us run the toss sweep and QB option some more. Those plays worked great.

Any word on Conner Vernon? That was a vicious hit he took on the kick-off return. I was really happy to see Vernon returning kick-offs as he is a true playmaker and we need the ball in his hands as much as possible. After Vernon took the big hit, my happiness disappeared. The sooner Josh Snead is back returning kick-offs the better, as we need Vernon catching passes.

Bob " " Green

It was a nasty hit. When you see Dr. Moorman head out immediately followed by Coach Cutcliffe, must be serious concern. When Donovan Varner went over to talk to him and check on him, my level of concern went up some more.

After a quick exam on the table behind the bench, Conner left on the Gator and then appeared back outside later. After he returned to the area behind the bench, several medical types were having him go through several types of movement like a check list for neurological symptoms. Conner watched the game from the sidelines, but looked a bit subdued, dazed. Should he have a concussion, he'll not be playing next week.

Bob Green wrote: Any word on Conner Vernon? That was a vicious hit he took on the kick-off return.

I talked to the Vernon's as they went back to campus; Conner said he was ok, and he looked ok...but I ain't the doctor that will be evaluating him. That hit was a thunder crunch.

Devil in the Blue Dress wrote:

Bob Green wrote:I'm excited to hear there are more hidden plays we will breakout against BC, however, I'm equally excited to see us run the toss sweep and QB option some more. Those plays worked great.

Any word on Conner Vernon? That was a vicious hit he took on the kick-off return. I was really happy to see Vernon returning kick-offs as he is a true playmaker and we need the ball in his hands as much as possible. After Vernon took the big hit, my happiness disappeared. The sooner Josh Snead is back returning kick-offs the better, as we need Vernon catching passes.

Bob " " Green

It was a nasty hit. When you see Dr. Moorman head out immediately followed by Coach Cutcliffe, must be serious concern. When Donovan Varner went over to talk to him and check on him, my level of concern went up some more.

After a quick exam on the table behind the bench, Conner left on the Gator and then appeared back outside later. After he returned to the area behind the bench, several medical types were having him go through several types of movement like a check list for neurological symptoms. Conner watched the game from the sidelines, but looked a bit subdued, dazed. Should he have a concussion, he'll not be playing next week.

No word from my manager connection at dinner tonight. My suspicion is that he has/had a concussion.

Virginia
Duke
1st Downs 33 26
3rd down efficiency
9-15 8-15
4th down efficiency
2-2 1-1
Total Yards 643 489
Passing 417 259
Comp-Att
24-46 18-31
Yards per pass
9.1 8.4
Rushing 226 230
Rushing Attempts
42 45
Yards per rush
5.4 5.1
Penalties 11-103 3-20
Turnovers 3 1
Fumbles lost
0 1
Interceptions thrown
3 0
Possession 31:46 28:14

(uva stats on the left)

Several amazing stats:

1. 9/15 uva 3rd down conversions!
2. 643 yards! Are you kidding me? Alabama only gained 613, IIRC.
3. 11 uva penalties for >100yds. Shoulda been another 30 for another late hit or two and an unsportsmanlike conduct call for when their two of their ass holes did and aerial chest bump in the middle of the field after they knocked Renfree outta the game for several plays. BTW, they were quite proud of this on the uva sidelines as a FB manager reported they were elated "just like we did to Jacory Harris."
4. 3 TO to 1.

devildeac wrote: 11 uva penalties for >100yds. Shoulda been another 30 for another late hit or two and an unsportsmanlike conduct call for when their two of their ass holes did and aerial chest bump in the middle of the field after they knocked Renfree outta the game for several plays. BTW, they were quite proud of this on the uva sidelines as a FB manager reported they were elated "just like we did to Jacory Harris."

It's a good thing I wasn't closer to the field on the chest bump over Renfree. I went off. What a classless bunch of assholes.

I guess karma really is a bitch, Cavaliers (I refuse to call them "hoos." What the hell is a "hoo" anyway? It rhymes with )

Mom is overjoyed. She hates uva as much as I hate the losers from 8 mile.

Wow, what a game. I "watched" it on a stupid stat tracker. According to that, Renfree completed a 32 yard pass on 4th and 20 with like a minute left to lead the game winning drive. Is that true? Cause that's just INSANE. Wish I coulda seen THAT.