2008 Woodie Awards
Looking ahead to a 'super' year in football
By: Andrew Yaffe
Issue date: 1/22/08 Section: Column
Last update: 1/22/08 at 7:37 AM EST
Last update: 1/22/08 at 7:37 AM EST
At halftime of Duke's dominant victory over Clemson Saturday, I saw something that's been rare in my four years here. No, not those awesome jump-rope kids.
As new football head coach David Cutcliffe and his staff were introduced in Cameron, I saw a genuine excitement for Duke Football.
Before Saturday, there had been moments indicating the student body's willingness to support a football program. Much of the campus came out to celebrate a victory against Northwestern on the road. And at the end of recent close games, such as the five-point defeat to Miami in Wallace Wade two seasons ago, the student section filled up quickly in the fourth quarter as students alerted their friends to the possible upset. Of course, there is also the tendency to storm the field after the last two Division-I victories.
These are positive signs for the future of Duke Football. Students aren't apathetic about the program; they're apathetic about losing. When the prospect of winning arises, students certainly get riled up about their team. Just ask the Department of Athletics, which has had to put up three new sets of goalposts in the last five seasons.
In an effort to stoke that excitement, here are five reasons why, in January, the Duke student body should already be looking forward to Game #1:
1. Eli Manning
That's right, the only quarterback to go interception-free in the NFL championship games. As you're likely aware, Cutcliffe tutored Manning at Mississippi, and Manning credits him with helping develop his (immense) talent. Cutcliffe also coached Eli's older brother, who incidentally has a Super Bowl ring and MVP on his resume.
On Feb. 3, just days before seniors in high school sign their letters of intent, Eli Manning will lace 'em up in the Super Bowl to be watched by, oh, 100 million people.
Cutcliffe can sit across the table from a high school QB, read some quotes Eli and Peyton have said about him, and ask the recruit to watch the Super Bowl. There's no better way to attract pro-caliber talent, such as four-star pocket passer Sean Renfree, to the Gothic Wonderland. For the sake of Duke football-and all that is holy-(and me) root for Manning to throw 4 TDs and beat up the Patriots.
As new football head coach David Cutcliffe and his staff were introduced in Cameron, I saw a genuine excitement for Duke Football.
Before Saturday, there had been moments indicating the student body's willingness to support a football program. Much of the campus came out to celebrate a victory against Northwestern on the road. And at the end of recent close games, such as the five-point defeat to Miami in Wallace Wade two seasons ago, the student section filled up quickly in the fourth quarter as students alerted their friends to the possible upset. Of course, there is also the tendency to storm the field after the last two Division-I victories.
These are positive signs for the future of Duke Football. Students aren't apathetic about the program; they're apathetic about losing. When the prospect of winning arises, students certainly get riled up about their team. Just ask the Department of Athletics, which has had to put up three new sets of goalposts in the last five seasons.
In an effort to stoke that excitement, here are five reasons why, in January, the Duke student body should already be looking forward to Game #1:
1. Eli Manning
That's right, the only quarterback to go interception-free in the NFL championship games. As you're likely aware, Cutcliffe tutored Manning at Mississippi, and Manning credits him with helping develop his (immense) talent. Cutcliffe also coached Eli's older brother, who incidentally has a Super Bowl ring and MVP on his resume.
On Feb. 3, just days before seniors in high school sign their letters of intent, Eli Manning will lace 'em up in the Super Bowl to be watched by, oh, 100 million people.
Cutcliffe can sit across the table from a high school QB, read some quotes Eli and Peyton have said about him, and ask the recruit to watch the Super Bowl. There's no better way to attract pro-caliber talent, such as four-star pocket passer Sean Renfree, to the Gothic Wonderland. For the sake of Duke football-and all that is holy-(and me) root for Manning to throw 4 TDs and beat up the Patriots.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 5
John
posted 1/22/08 @ 9:50 AM EST
I enjoyed this article, right up until the end. There is something in me, call it hope, or an illusion, that believes that college-age young adults will someday cease to glorify binge drinking. (Continued…)
DevilintheBlueDress
A matter of degree
posted 1/22/08 @ 2:20 PM EST
Ole Ballcoach Era Alum,
Please understand that my comments were regarding binge drinking and Duke's image as a party school.
I agree with you that Duke should pursue its own identity, a strength in the past. (Continued…)
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