Ugh.

[Ima Facultiwyfe]

Pah ----- theh ---- tick! Bless their hearts!
Love, Ima

[lawgrad91]

Pah ----- theh ---- tick! Bless their hearts!
Love, Ima

Amen, Ima. Pah.

[shereec]

Oh no! I'm so sorry!

[devildeac]

Now where did that video go?

We just lost to #$%&ing Army.

5 TO. Did they all lead to Army TD or was it only 28 gift points.

And remember, they had a TD called back for holding.

Sadly, that was a very Roof-ian performance.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Today's game was nothing short of embarrassing. The offense, the quarterback and the play calling for 3 quarters was putrid. A definite step backwards for the program.

Where the hell were the students today? They didn't know in advance what the game was going to bring. Their section was noticeably not full, almost barren, at the beginning of the game. They can't use a 3 pm start at homecoming as an excuse. They were AWOL as was the offensive team.

I am not happy. Next play. Next game.

[devildeac]

Today's game was nothing short of embarrassing. The offense, the quarterback and the play calling for 3 quarters was putrid. A definite step backwards for the program.

Where the hell were the students today? They didn't know in advance what the game was going to bring. Their section was noticeably not full, almost barren, at the beginning of the game. They can't use a 3 pm start at homecoming as an excuse. They were AWOL as was the offensive team.

I am not happy. Next play. Next game.

My response OY:

You forgot to include the _efense that really didn't show up today either. ~250 yds rushing, 2 TD to WIDE open Army receivers, 8/17 third down conversions, 0 TO, 40 minutes of possession by the Cadets and serious difficulties tackling.

Hell, I might as well get another post out of it at least.

[lawgrad91]

Unfortunately, today reminded me of just why I quit paying attention to Duke football after Spurrier left until Coach Cut appeared.

I recognize that our team is very young. All the more reason to be judicious in playcalling and to emphasize protecting the ball on offense.

I felt much better after last Saturday than I do today about the state of Duke football.

Oct 15 cannot get here fast enough!

[DevilWearsPrada]

It was so embarrassing today. At least I thanked all the Military personnel for their service. Wallace Wade really emptied at the half. This game reminded me of 2005 2006 2007.

Today's results are NOT ACCEPTABLE............. Period!!!!!

[wolfpackdevil]

This was the most embarrassing performance for Duke under Cutcliffe. I thought Duke looked better in the 2009 loss to Richmond than they did today.

I was not only pissed off at the poor execution by Renfree, but Duke showed 0 emotion today on offense. I saw a pumped up defense who was making plays the entire game. The offense gave up 14 of the 35 Army points with the interceptions. Renfree and Varner looked awful, and I mean Awful. The running backs were bad, and the lack of energy by Duke players really made me mad. I saw a Duke team today that didn't care if they won or lost. Connor Vernon was the only bright spot for Duke. And even after his 60 yard TD he walked all the way back to the sideline with no words for any of his teammates. Terrible game for Duke, and it made be lose some respect for these guys. Hopefully they can change something before they head to College Park next week.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Booooooooooo.

[captmojo]

As one that was unable to attend or watch, from all reports I have seen...
Ugh, indeed.

[allen]

I have been jokingly referring to the Alabama gameas the "What-Were-We-Thinking-Bowl"

I think it was a strategic error of epic proportions. This is a young and developing team. I understand the "to be the best you have to play the best" mentality. But to subject this team to a complete humiliation on national television was unwise. It seems as though their spirit has been broken.

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

I have been jokingly referring to the Alabama gameas the "What-Were-We-Thinking-Bowl"

I think it was a strategic error of epic proportions. This is a young and developing team. I understand the "to be the best you have to play the best" mentality. But to subject this team to a complete humiliation on national television was unwise. It seems as though their spirit has been broken.

Allen, I think you've said it better than anyone else. I felt that Saturday we were seeing some guys with great potential who had been beaten down before they had a chance to grow into what they can be.

Our dream is very fragile. We should support and nurture it more than ever.

[CameronBornAndBred]

I have been jokingly referring to the Alabama gameas the "What-Were-We-Thinking-Bowl"

I think it was a strategic error of epic proportions. This is a young and developing team. I understand the "to be the best you have to play the best" mentality. But to subject this team to a complete humiliation on national television was unwise. It seems as though their spirit has been broken.

I'm not picking on you, you've just given me the opportunity to bring up a point about the Alabama game. That game was scheduled long ago, before Cutcliffe got here. The only thing he and the administration did was to keep the game in Durham. The fact is that regardless of where that game was played, it would have still been on TV, Alabama would still have been #1, and had it been anywhere else they would have lost in front of an even larger crowd. The teams would have been the same in both instances.

[allen]

I have been jokingly referring to the Alabama gameas the "What-Were-We-Thinking-Bowl"

I think it was a strategic error of epic proportions. This is a young and developing team. I understand the "to be the best you have to play the best" mentality. But to subject this team to a complete humiliation on national television was unwise. It seems as though their spirit has been broken.

I'm not picking on you, you've just given me the opportunity to bring up a point about the Alabama game. That game was scheduled long ago, before Cutcliffe got here. The only thing he and the administration did was to keep the game in Durham. The fact is that regardless of where that game was played, it would have still been on TV, Alabama would still have been #1, and had it been anywhere else they would have lost in front of an even larger crowd. The teams would have been the same in both instances.

True. I guess the only thing me might have avoided would have been the carnival atmosphere and the two-week media fest. And the prime rib was reason enough to have the game here.

[TNTDevil]

I have been jokingly referring to the Alabama gameas the "What-Were-We-Thinking-Bowl"

I think it was a strategic error of epic proportions. This is a young and developing team. I understand the "to be the best you have to play the best" mentality. But to subject this team to a complete humiliation on national television was unwise. It seems as though their spirit has been broken.

I'm not picking on you, you've just given me the opportunity to bring up a point about the Alabama game. That game was scheduled long ago, before Cutcliffe got here. The only thing he and the administration did was to keep the game in Durham. The fact is that regardless of where that game was played, it would have still been on TV, Alabama would still have been #1, and had it been anywhere else they would have lost in front of an even larger crowd. The teams would have been the same in both instances.

Word.

The Alabama game was both a blessing and a curse. The blessing is real, easily calculable- hard currency plus, "Face time" on teh National teevee. The curse- we got our asses kicked by Alabama (a lot of teams will get that privilege) but, we did it N-A-T-I-O-N-A-L-L-Y. (Besides, we were contractually obligated due to the "Home-and-home" agreement. Does anyone remember that, when we played at Alabama, we held them to nine points through three quarters?)

How many on this board remember the last time Duke was on the national, 3:30 PM network broadcast? WTF? And truth-be-told, ABC probably cut away to regional feeds once the game got out of hand.

The other thing I'll say is that many of you are being far too harsh. If you were disappointed with yesterday's result it's okay, you deserve to be upset. However, I would opine that >80% of your disappointment is due to over-inflated expectations.

This is still Duke Football. We are not stacked with five-star recruits at every position (however, we're doing good things via Red-Shirting), we're young, we have no "football culture" (to which any CTN tailgater can attest) and, just as the Wake game highlighted, we're just not good enough to overcome a few mistakes.

Yesterday was simply just a cascade failure. Many of you haven't been witness to Duke Football through the years. I go all the way back to the Goldsmith era (and for those of you whom disparage Ted Roof, well, you're just simply wrong but, that's another thread) and have seen how our problems continue year to year to year. (Our offense goes three and out. Then the defense fights through a 12 play 68 yard drive for a FG and the "O" goes three and out, AGAIN, well, you see the pattern.) We need to realize that we simply don't yet have the athletes to compete, week in, week out, with top programs. And, not only do we not have the athletes- we don't have the experience.

Therefore, Alabama served two additional purposes (other than the National teevee exposure). One, this game was a HUGE payday for Duke. TeeVee revenue. Ticket revenue. Parking revenue. Towing/parking ticket revenue, (oh, wait... ) . Concession revenue. This is a situation which Duke has never experienced. But, one which Duke has probably already decided is good.

Secondly, it was an experience. Some day, two or three years from now, a Senior will be telling some 4-5 star rookie about what Alabama did/didn't do in certain game situations and... about how bad it felt to get their asses kicked in that manner "I'll be honest w'ich you, I could use a good ass-kicking." (15 more TNT bonus points on the line if you can name the move from which that was culled). Cutcliffe knows this, and probably factored it into the pre-game talks. ("If you want to be Number One, you'll get see what that looks like come Saturday.")

So, "Lighten up, Francis", (20 TNT bonus points for this one) and get over yourselves. If we only win five games this year, that is improvement! I went seven years of Duke football before I saw five wins. So, STFU!

Given where we started, we've got three more years, at minimum, before we can hope to compete for a Bowl. (It would be a lot fucking worse if Cut had inherited the program from Franks, Roof Haters, I'm looking at you).

That, obviously, is TNTDevil's opinion and I paid for this message.

Peace,
TNT

[captmojo]

Does anyone remember that, when we played at Alabama, we held them to nine points through three quarters?

Yes. And, yes to the rest of your post!

If you are too scared to compete against the best, then all you accomplish is some wheel-spinning in the mud. Eventually the car will slide back downhill.

There is no bad publicity, only publicity. Win or lose the game itself, if you don't get televised you are a loser. The best players want the exposure it provides. If you want to prosper you have to be willing to accept the ultimate tests. Otherwise, languish and hope to tread the mire atop the mud of mediocrity? There is no reason that Duke cannot achieve the level of even competiveness with any other program in the country. Any damn thing that can done at Stanford or...pick the schools of your own choosing to insert here, can be achived at Duke.

If you fail to win the games, reload and give it another shot. Keep on shooting, it's gonna pay off in the end. It takes the intestinal fortitude (guts) and patience to withstand the blows until success finally appears, and it will.

[DukePA]

Awesome TNT and Cap'n. TNT- My Cousin Vinny and Scrubs?

[Devil in the Blue Dress]

Well played, TNT.

This slide can be traced as far back as Bill Murray's retirement when the scene in college football began to change faster than Duke was willing to cope. In addition, new leadership at Duke began to stalk a new, more exclusive image which didn't include football at all. The time period Steve Spurrier raised us above the rest was a short interval in this long slide. There are still many people don't expect much from Duke football.... many on campus and in other environs. Our dream is fragile, but we can't give up.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Today's game was nothing short of embarrassing. The offense, the quarterback and the play calling for 3 quarters was putrid. A definite step backwards for the program.

Where the hell were the students today? They didn't know in advance what the game was going to bring. Their section was noticeably not full, almost barren, at the beginning of the game. They can't use a 3 pm start at homecoming as an excuse. They were AWOL as was the offensive team.

I am not happy. Next play. Next game.

My response OY:

You forgot to include the _efense that really didn't show up today either. ~250 yds rushing, 2 TD to WIDE open Army receivers, 8/17 third down conversions, 0 TO, 40 minutes of possession by the Cadets and serious difficulties tackling.

Hell, I might as well get another post out of it at least.

Actually, I disagree with your assessment of the defense. Well, for the most part, anyway. The run defense spent most of the day bending but not breaking, which is how you defend the option offense (unless you stop it cold, which takes way more talent and experience than we currently have). Obviously the long pass plays were killers, and Cutcliffe took the blame for those as playing the run too aggressively. But you've got to appreciate the job done by the defense. The experience will come in real handy when we play Navy and GTech later in the season.

And just for the record, I haven't given up on the team or the season Let's beat the snot out of Maryland on Saturday night!