Duke vs #15 Arizona State, Sun Bowl, Dec 27th, 2:00 kick

[Bob Green]

In the random, thinking out loud, category of mindless rumblings, I am going to predict a big game out of Johnell Barnes. He is a strong runner and for some unknown reason, I believe he is going to catch three or four passes and rack up a lot of yards after catch or bust a long run on a jet sweep or something. He is overdue. Time will tell.

[devildeac]

In the random, thinking out loud, category of mindless rumblings, I am going to predict a big game out of Johnell Barnes. He is a strong runner and for some unknown reason, I believe he is going to catch three or four passes and rack up a lot of yards after catch or bust a long run on a jet sweep or something. He is overdue. Time will tell.

I like these mindless rumblings. How many catches for Crowder and how many rushing yards will The Stable accumulate?

[Bob Green]

In the random, thinking out loud, category of mindless rumblings, I am going to predict a big game out of Johnell Barnes. He is a strong runner and for some unknown reason, I believe he is going to catch three or four passes and rack up a lot of yards after catch or bust a long run on a jet sweep or something. He is overdue. Time will tell.

I like these mindless rumblings. How many catches for Crowder and how many rushing yards will The Stable accumulate?

I don't know, but I will go on record saying our most important player has to be Anthony Boone. Boone cannot win the game by himself; however, he can lose it by himself. We need the confident, gunslinger version of Boone not the erratic, stumbling, bumbling version of Boone.

[YmoBeThere]

Yes, agree on Boone. Not sure what turned him into the latter at times this year.

I will be heading out tomorrow early afternoon for Juar...excuse me, El Paso. For Texas cities, you have the big Three of Austin, Dallas and Houston. San Antonio, while bigger than Austin, is much more blue collar and it shows. The good stuff goes on in Austin, we're a semi-gateway to Mexico as we are the largest city close to the heart of Mexico, particularly Monterrey. Around Easter, the roads and malls are filled with Mexican nationals on annual shopping trips.

After San Antonio, then you have cities like Abilene, Lubbock, El Paso, etc. Hard for them to get much mind share when you have the big three and their step child.

[lawgrad91]

Yes, agree on Boone. Not sure what turned him into the latter at times this year.

I will be heading out tomorrow early afternoon for Juar...excuse me, El Paso. For Texas cities, you have the big Three of Austin, Dallas and Houston. San Antonio, while bigger than Austin, is much more blue collar and it shows. The good stuff goes on in Austin, we're a semi-gateway to Mexico as we are the largest city close to the heart of Mexico, particularly Monterrey. Around Easter, the roads and malls are filled with Mexican nationals on annual shopping trips.

After San Antonio, then you have cities like Abilene, Lubbock, El Paso, etc. Hard for them to get much mind share when you have the big three and their step child.

Safe travels, Ymo!

[devildeac]

Yes, agree on Boone. Not sure what turned him into the latter at times this year.

I will be heading out tomorrow early afternoon for Juar...excuse me, El Paso. For Texas cities, you have the big Three of Austin, Dallas and Houston. San Antonio, while bigger than Austin, is much more blue collar and it shows. The good stuff goes on in Austin, we're a semi-gateway to Mexico as we are the largest city close to the heart of Mexico, particularly Monterrey. Around Easter, the roads and malls are filled with Mexican nationals on annual shopping trips.

After San Antonio, then you have cities like Abilene, Lubbock, El Paso, etc. Hard for them to get much mind share when you have the big three and their step child.

Have a great trip! (posted with at least a moderate amount of envy)

[YmoBeThere]

Thanks! We need to beat these Sun Devils so I can have bragging rights over my high school classmates.

[YmoBeThere]

Here in my hotel, drive was kinda boring but quick due to 80 mph speed limits between here and San Antonio. By 5:30 PM nothing to see other the flames from the fracking wells north of the Interstate. Did pass one car with ASU plates on the driver over. I wonder if I can get Duke plates here in TX?

I heard there was snow here today, I got here too late see it. Currently, 40 and rainy.

[DukePA]

Here in my hotel, drive was kinda boring but quick due to 80 mph speed limits between here and San Antonio. By 5:30 PM nothing to see other the flames from the fracking wells north of the Interstate. Did pass one car with ASU plates on the driver over. I wonder if I can get Duke plates here in TX?

I heard there was snow here today, I got here too late see it. Currently, 40 and rainy.

Have a fabulous time, Ymo!!! GO DUKE!!!

[wolfpackdevil]

After almost a month hiatus from posting, I am happy to be writing on the final game day of 2014. It has been an up-and-down season that has seen a thrilling overtime win, and a few heartbreaking defeats. No matter what happens today, this season has been another step up, (on a very long staircase), for the future of this program. There are some amazing seniors that we will be watching for the final time today, that have been a key part in turning this program around. I will deeply miss watching Crowder, Helton, Tomlinson, Cofield, Snead, and Anthony Boone. There have been some younger players that have really made strides this season, and with a ton of talent returning next year we could be in for another 9/10/11 win season in 2015. But today is about this year and getting our first bowl win since the Revolutionary War.

Arizona State is the best team we have played this season. That fact alone scares me, as we were destroyed against North Carolina, who has a similar type of offense. Jaelen Strong will be a starting WR in the NFL next year and is scary good. The Sun Devils also have a strong running attack and seem to be a very balanced offense. Our defense will have to play their best game of the season if we want to hold ASU under 30 points.

I am looking forward to this game for many reasons. Coach Cut and his staff have been very well prepared for each of the bowl games we have played in the last two years. We jumped out to a 16-0 lead against Cincinnati, and a 38-17 lead against Texas A&M. Although we were not able to hold leads in those games, it was obvious that we were sharp and ready to play when the game started, which is always hard after a month off. Our offenses in those two games were very good and it seems as though teams outside of the ACC are not well prepared for our offensive attack. If we can get out to a similar fast start tomorrow, I think we have a very good chance to win. Boone will have to execute, and our defense will have to turn the ball over if we are going to win.

This should be a very competitive, close football game that has us on the edge of our seats. Unlike the past two seasons, I believe this is the first bowl game where we are playing the more talented team. Arizona State is loaded with athletes and some very good skill players. A loss today would be a disappointing way to end the season, but not a loss we should be ashamed about.

But fuck all of that, I want our boys to win a bowl game today! I am confident that we will have an offensive game plan to put points on the board. Jeremy Cash and our secondary will come up with two interceptions, and Anthony Boone will end his football career with a solid performance. Close game, but a Ross Martin field goal will be the difference. 34-31 Duke!!!

Let’s bring a trophy home boys!!!!

[Bob Green]

34-31 Duke!!!

Let’s bring a trophy home boys!!!!

Great Post!!! It is time to finish 2014 on a high note.

[YmoBeThere]

Best night of sleep months. Let's get this thing started!

[CameronBornAndBred]

But fuck all of that, I want our boys to win a bowl game today! I am confident that we will have an offensive game plan to put points on the board. Jeremy Cash and our secondary will come up with two interceptions, and Anthony Boone will end his football career with a solid performance. Close game, but a Ross Martin field goal will be the difference. 34-31 Duke!!!

Let’s bring a trophy home boys!!!!

Damn skippy! Third time's a charm, right?

I was reading an article on wral.com this morning, talking about UNC's blowout loss yesterday. The premise of it was that Carolina didn't care about the game. They got fired up for ONE game this season, and unfortunately we didn't. As WPD pointed out, we've been prepared for our bowl games thus far, so I don't think that fate awaits us. IF we lose, we'll lose only because we get beaten by a team that is playing better than us, not because we are playing worse or with indifference.
But I don't think we'll be beat. LGD!!!

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

Let's Go Duke!!!!!!!!!!


NCState finished out strong!

Good Basketball on today, also!

LETS GO DUKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Battle of the Devils!

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

Considering how bad the 1st and 3rd quarters were for Duke and the last five minutes........... surprised we were still in the game ...... AGAIN............. Didn't finish strong!

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

I really don't like to lose, but if it's going to happen at least it was in a closely played game, playing a very challenging opponent. In the three bowl losses so far, Duke has played well enough to come close to winning. This is a sign of progress and an indication that the team will be overcoming this hurdle..... soon!

[DukePA]

I really don't like to lose, but if it's going to happen at least it was in a closely played game, playing a very challenging opponent. In the three bowl losses so far, Duke has played well enough to come close to winning. This is a sign of progress and an indication that the team will be overcoming this hurdle..... soon!

I'm with you, DitBD.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Damn Damn Damn Damn!!!!
I agree with DitBD. I'm looking forward to seeing our team with a new QB next year. I was texting with TNT during the final series, telling him that I was dreading the coming turnover. I just had that sinking feeling in me that it was going to happen...sigh. He had a one pass that I liked, the soft touch for the TD in the first half, but beyond that, our best throws were by Will Monday and Jamison Crowder. That's not good when your QB throws only one 3rd of the best passes of the day.

[DevilWearsPrada2.0]

Damn Damn Damn Damn!!!!
I agree with DitBD. I'm looking forward to seeing our team with a new QB next year. I was texting with TNT during the final series, telling him that I was dreading the coming turnover. I just had that sinking feeling in me that it was going to happen...sigh. He had a one pass that I liked, the soft touch for the TD in the first half, but beyond that, our best throws were by Will Monday and Jamison Crowder. That's not good when your QB throws only one 3rd of the best passes of the day.

Exactly!!!!!!!!!!!!

I read last night the Florida QB wants to transfer to Duke. He would be a graduate student and eligible immediately!!!!

The team had a good year, considering the early injuries, etc. I am with CB&B..... QB makes all the difference. If you read the stats from last night, best not too.

We have the best coach and the smartest players! Come so far with Cut and will continue to get better! Thanks
seniors...... losing a lot of talented young men this season!

[YmoBeThere]

Thoughts from my trip to El Paso/The Sun Bowl(many of you have probably seen the pics I posted on FB):

1) West Texas is empty. There was this one house after the merge of 20 and 10 that you could see for miles and there was nothing else around it. I didn't see it on the return trip, too much snow. I can just imagine being snowed in there.
2) Fracking is going on...and it brought up an odd contrast on the drive home, the flaring of the fracking wells and the blinking red lights of the windmills.
3) Best night of sleep I've gotten in months.
4) I haven't spent much time in El Paso but it is as I remember it. Tucked up in the hills with a view of Juarez across and below.
5) Went to the Forever Duke Pre-game Party. Ran into a couple people I knew, chatted with them for a while. Band played and the cheerleaders were there. Sterly and David Rubenstein made some remarks as we all huddled under the tent out of the rain.
6) I had a beer at the Pre-game Party, a Negra Modelo. It was 9:45 A.M. I felt bad for a second but finished it without further thought. The food spread was pretty good, at least to my taste. I was plenty full headed into the stadium.
7) Sun Bowl stadium is carved out of the surrounding hills which makes it kinda cozy. Announced attendance was 47K+, which seemed quite reasonable. Not too many empty seats. We were greatly outnumbered by Sun Devil fans but they were mainly across the Stadium. As others noted elsewhere, the locals tended to root for the team side they were seated on. One of them sitting next to me had even bought a Duke shirt and put it on for the game.

As for the game:

It was a nice 39F at kickoff. Colder than most were expecting. It wasn't windy so, that helped keep it reasonable.

The first set of downs wasn't good, it definitely put a damper on the mood early. Happily we kept them to a field goal for their next score which was a relief. It was tough being down 20-3, but miraculously the sun came out and everything seemed to get better. Next thing you knew it was 20-17 and half time.

Both bands played at half. ASU's band was ginormous. I think their tuba section was as big as our band. They put a lot of people out on the field at the half. We put on a good show also...okay, I was overwhelmed by how many people ASU had out there on the field. Lone Star was the musical act. Everyone knew their song, Amazed. I'm not sure everyone knew the other two songs they sang. Bowl game halftimes are long...

The second half started off not too much different from the first. Or at least it felt the same. They had nice long runs and their QB had lots of time to throw the ball. It felt like they were calling the exact same plays as they had on the first couple of drives of the game. It was looking bleak by the end of the 3rd quarter. And then as you know the fourth quarter happened(and it got sunny again). The peaks and valleys of being a fan, it gets much more emotional being there.

I do think Anthony missed having Brandon Connette there.

All in all, an enjoyable experience.