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Courtesy: Duke Photography
Thaddeus Lewis
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DURHAM, N.C. - Thaddeus Lewis wants to ring the Victory Bell.
It is something the senior quarterback has never had a chance to do since he arrived on Duke's campus.
"I haven't beaten them since I've been here," Lewis said. "It would mean a lot to get the bell back, and have the bragging rights to go out with a win against [North] Carolina."
None of the current players on the Duke roster have been able to claim the bell as their own. Not since 2003, before the current crop of seniors arrived at Duke, have the Blue Devils (5-3, 3-1) defeated their cross-town rival North Carolina (5-3, 1-3).
Back in 2003, the Blue Devils edged the Tar Heels 30-22 in Chapel Hill. It is the last time the Victory Bell has made Durham its home.
To get it back Duke will once again have to travel to Chapel Hill to claim the historic prize.
"You are going on the road in a hostile environment and to get a win over there would be huge," Lewis said. "We know it is not going to be easy. They are not going to give us anything. It is going to be tough."
"It is up to us to go out and make sure we can get a win."
Saturday's contest is scheduled for a 3:30 p.m. kickoff from Kenan Stadium.
"I'm sure it will be a great atmosphere - a tough atmosphere for us - but a great atmosphere," head coach David Cutcliffe said. "I think it's interesting that this is the first time that this hasn't been the final game. That adds a little fuel to the fire with so much on the line for both teams. It's a big, big deal."
Both schools enter into Saturday's game with momentum on their side.
The Blue Devils have notched three straight wins, the most recent a come from behind 28-17 victory over Virginia. All three wins during the steak have been against ACC opponents, a feat not accomplished by Duke since 1994, leaving Duke to control its own destiny for a chance to play in the ACC Championship game.
The Tar Heels on the other hand won their first ACC game of the season Thursday night defeating No. 14 Virginia Tech 20-17.
"I can't say enough about North Carolina and their talent and what a great win they had over Virginia Tech," Cutcliffe said. "That was a total team victory. They were very physical on offense, timely in their passing game, and their defense just continues to dominate at every angle."
If Duke is going to win on Saturday they will need to have success against a talented North Carolina defense.
And Duke's offensive success relies on the passing game helmed by Lewis.
"We pride ourselves in doing what we do best and that is throwing the football," Lewis said. "We know we are going to throw the football each and every week. You know guys are going to play that. It is just confidence in ourselves, knowing that we are not going to change what we are doing because this is what we do well. We have to go out there and do it."
Over the last three games the passing attack for Duke has been nearly perfect. Over the winning streak Lewis has completed 94-of-133 (.707) passes for 1,173 yards, eight touchdowns and just two interceptions.
"He's doing what I thought he would do," Cutcliffe said. "He's so accurate with the ball and so quick with the ball. It's difficult to rush him, and it's difficult to fool him. He sees really well, and he knows our offense now. I'm sure he's told all of you that he's comfortable, too. It takes confidence, as a quarterback to throw the ball where there's no one there, and that's what you're doing a lot."
Lewis became the first player in Duke history and just the third ACC player to throw for over 2,000 yards in four consecutive seasons following his 343 yard performance against Virginia. It was the ninth time in his career and fifth time this season that Lewis has exceeded 300 yards passing.
"I think a lot of credit can go to offensive coordinator Kurt Roper," tight end Brett Huffman said. "Knowing Thad's strengths, putting the right people out there and calling the right plays to showcase Thad's abilities."
"I think Thad is a very stereotypical leader by example," Huffman added. "He is not by any means the rah-rah, screaming his head off at people, but he gets everybody in place where they need to be, and as far as leading he lets his play do the talking."
His play as of late has spoken volumes. North Carolina head coach Butch Davis has said the Duke passing attack has resembled that of the Indianapolis Colts, but Cutcliffe is quick to remind that his Blue Devils are not the Colts and the North Carolina defense is talented with numerous lineman who possess the ability to rush the passer
"I just want to keep from retreating against them," Cutcliffe said. "They make plays, they're big, they're fast and very dominant. They have a lot of guys that are going to play on Sundays. It's not an accident that they have, by far, the best defense in our league. You've got to like the challenge, though."
And challenged they will be, because despite the success they have already had this season the Blue Devils still want more.
"We can't be satisfied with just being in the position to make a bowl game or play in the ACC Championship," Huffman said. "We have to go out there and do it."
