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Duke Football Notebook: A Big Test Ahead
10/2/2019 9:58:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, NC – The Duke Blue Devils return to Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium to host the Pittsburgh Panthers on Saturday at 8 p.m.
After falling to No. 2 Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Duke has rattled off three consecutive wins heading into Saturday's contest.
The game will be broadcast by the ACC Network with Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck and Katie George on the call.
Saturday's contest will be the 24th meeting between Duke and Pittsburgh. The Panthers hold a 14-9 edge on the series. Duke's last victory came on Nov. 1, 2014 as quarterback Thomas Sirk muscled his way into the end zone from five yards out during the second overtime to seal the game, 51-48.
Duke is coming off a 45-10 win at Virginia Tech in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener. The 35-point victory was the Blue Devils' largest road win in ACC play since 1989 when Duke blanked North Carolina, 41-0.
In its last three wins, Duke has scored 40 points in each game (North Carolina A&T (45), Middle Tennesee State (41) and Virginia Tech (45)), making it the first time the Blue Devils have achieved that mark since 1943 (Camp Lejune (40), Richmond (61) and N.C. Pre-Flight (42)).
Pitt topped Delaware last weekend, 17-14, in its previous outing. The Panthers struggled without their starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is questionable for the matchup in Durham.
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BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES
With approximately nine minutes left in the second quarter in its season opener, Duke surrendered a sack for the first time in 2019. Since that moment, the Blue Devils offensive line has not allowed an opponent's defense to get to their quarterback. Duke is tied for first in the country with one sack allowed so far and fifth in the country with 3.25 tackles for loss per game. The Blue Devils lead the ACC in both categories.
"It has been great that we've had such great chemistry communication for the first third of the season," senior quarterback Quentin Harris said. "So far just only having one sack allowed through four games, that's a great stat. It's just a testament to their abilities up front and just to us being on the same page. I'm really happy with where we are chemistry-wise right now and we'll look to keep it rolling, too."
Pittsburgh comes to Durham having accumulated 24 sacks in five games. The Panthers' defense leads the ACC and sits tied for second in the country in sacks.
"Yeah, they obviously have a lot of sacks," Harris said. "I think 24 so far this season. That's just a testament to their ability to pass rush. They mix in some blitzes, which can kind of compromise some protections at points. They're just a really talented group."
The Blue Devils are preparing for a physical battle to stifle the Panthers' renowned pass rush. Duke head coach David Cutcliffe believes that the individual matchups on the line can control the outcome of the game.
"I think the winner of that game is the winner of the sack game," Cutcliffe mentioned. "The only thing maybe more devastating than a sack in a game is a turnover. The turnover ratio and the sack ratio are going to be a big part of this football game."
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UNFRIENDLY FOES
Cutcliffe's Blue Devils hold a 1-5 record against Pittsburgh with their last win being a double overtime win in 2014. Since Pat Narduzzi took the helm of the Panthers' program, Duke is 0-4.
"There's a reason they were Coastal Division champions a year ago," Cutcliffe said. "This team is much like the team they had a year ago. I can't say enough about their program. We haven't been as successful as we'd like to be against them. But this is this year, a new opportunity."
After stringing together three consecutive wins and topping Virginia Tech on the road in its ACC Opener, Duke is feeling good and looking forward to Saturday's matchup.
"Coach Cutcliffe's message to us has always been positive in expressing his confidence in us," Harris said. "That just gives you confidence as a team. We definitely feel confidence in ourselves just from our play and how we've been able to operate the last few weeks."
Duke will hope to end that four-game skid against the Panthers on Saturday night.
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HOME SWEET HOME
After almost a month away from Wallace Wade Stadium, the Blue Devils come back to Brooks Field following a win at Middle Tennessee State and a win at Virginia Tech.
"We're happy to be back home," Cutcliffe added. "It feels like forever ago since we've played a game on Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. We're really looking forward to this opportunity to be back home with our friends from Durham."
Duke will be recognizing two groups during Saturday night's tilt as it is Durham Day and Fighting Children's Cancer Day.
"We feel very much a part of Durham," Cutcliffe expressed. "Duke football has been there and embraced that since we've been here and our relationship has grown. I mean, we know that we're 'Bull City' proud and that's important to us."
"It's been great having the support of Durham and to honor the community for a day and for our game," Harris said. "We are really excited about that and looking forward to having a Saturday night game in Wallace Wade. We are looking forward to packing the house."
"It's also Cure Kids' Cancer week," Cutcliffe continued. "That's another thing that is near and dear to our hearts, we have our own Children's Hospital. If you want to take a walk, walk through the Children's Hospital as it will put your mind in the right place, which I occasionally need to do. You'll immediately understand what the meaning of life is."
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LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, QUANSAH IS THERE
Senior linebacker Koby Quansah leads the Blue Devils in tackles this season with 37 tackles for an average of 9.3 per game. That mark places him third in the ACC. In addition, Quansah has racked up 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.
"It wasn't really any big step," Quansah said on coming into a starter role. "I've been in the program for years. I've been taking everything they've taught me. Every experience I've gotten when I got my chance to go in the previous years. And now just taking everything I've learned and put together so when my name is called I am ready."
After last week's performance at Virginia Tech, highlighted by 13 tackles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery, Quansah was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week.
"I mean, it's everything that our coaches do to prepare us well from practice," Quansah said. "We practice hard, we practice fast, our scout team gives us great looks every day. They really prepare us for the game. The game has really slowed down for us when it's time to go."
The Manchester, Conn., native leads Duke with 22 assists this season and leads the ACC with 5.5 assisted tackles per game.
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SINGLETON EMERGING
Dylan Singleton led the Blue Devils in tackles through the first two games of the season and has accumulated 32 tackles over the opening four games. He is also tops on the team with 19 solo takedowns.
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"He's really getting after it," Quansah said. "All the little things they see Dylan do on the field, he's been doing in practice day in, day out."
One emphasis for the senior captain was to take some of the younger members of the Duke program under his wing.
"I think what he's improved upon the most is talking with the young guys, getting them to prepare and show them physically what to do on the field and in practice – especially effort-wise, just getting to the ball and ripping the ball out."
Singleton reached a significant milestone at Virginia Tech with his 100th career solo takedown and his 160th career tackle.
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After falling to No. 2 Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Duke has rattled off three consecutive wins heading into Saturday's contest.
The game will be broadcast by the ACC Network with Dave O'Brien, Tim Hasselbeck and Katie George on the call.
Saturday's contest will be the 24th meeting between Duke and Pittsburgh. The Panthers hold a 14-9 edge on the series. Duke's last victory came on Nov. 1, 2014 as quarterback Thomas Sirk muscled his way into the end zone from five yards out during the second overtime to seal the game, 51-48.
Duke is coming off a 45-10 win at Virginia Tech in its Atlantic Coast Conference opener. The 35-point victory was the Blue Devils' largest road win in ACC play since 1989 when Duke blanked North Carolina, 41-0.
In its last three wins, Duke has scored 40 points in each game (North Carolina A&T (45), Middle Tennesee State (41) and Virginia Tech (45)), making it the first time the Blue Devils have achieved that mark since 1943 (Camp Lejune (40), Richmond (61) and N.C. Pre-Flight (42)).
Pitt topped Delaware last weekend, 17-14, in its previous outing. The Panthers struggled without their starting quarterback Kenny Pickett, who is questionable for the matchup in Durham.
Â
BATTLE IN THE TRENCHES
With approximately nine minutes left in the second quarter in its season opener, Duke surrendered a sack for the first time in 2019. Since that moment, the Blue Devils offensive line has not allowed an opponent's defense to get to their quarterback. Duke is tied for first in the country with one sack allowed so far and fifth in the country with 3.25 tackles for loss per game. The Blue Devils lead the ACC in both categories.
"It has been great that we've had such great chemistry communication for the first third of the season," senior quarterback Quentin Harris said. "So far just only having one sack allowed through four games, that's a great stat. It's just a testament to their abilities up front and just to us being on the same page. I'm really happy with where we are chemistry-wise right now and we'll look to keep it rolling, too."
Pittsburgh comes to Durham having accumulated 24 sacks in five games. The Panthers' defense leads the ACC and sits tied for second in the country in sacks.
"Yeah, they obviously have a lot of sacks," Harris said. "I think 24 so far this season. That's just a testament to their ability to pass rush. They mix in some blitzes, which can kind of compromise some protections at points. They're just a really talented group."
The Blue Devils are preparing for a physical battle to stifle the Panthers' renowned pass rush. Duke head coach David Cutcliffe believes that the individual matchups on the line can control the outcome of the game.
"I think the winner of that game is the winner of the sack game," Cutcliffe mentioned. "The only thing maybe more devastating than a sack in a game is a turnover. The turnover ratio and the sack ratio are going to be a big part of this football game."
Â
UNFRIENDLY FOES
Cutcliffe's Blue Devils hold a 1-5 record against Pittsburgh with their last win being a double overtime win in 2014. Since Pat Narduzzi took the helm of the Panthers' program, Duke is 0-4.
"There's a reason they were Coastal Division champions a year ago," Cutcliffe said. "This team is much like the team they had a year ago. I can't say enough about their program. We haven't been as successful as we'd like to be against them. But this is this year, a new opportunity."
After stringing together three consecutive wins and topping Virginia Tech on the road in its ACC Opener, Duke is feeling good and looking forward to Saturday's matchup.
"Coach Cutcliffe's message to us has always been positive in expressing his confidence in us," Harris said. "That just gives you confidence as a team. We definitely feel confidence in ourselves just from our play and how we've been able to operate the last few weeks."
Duke will hope to end that four-game skid against the Panthers on Saturday night.
Â
HOME SWEET HOME
After almost a month away from Wallace Wade Stadium, the Blue Devils come back to Brooks Field following a win at Middle Tennessee State and a win at Virginia Tech.
"We're happy to be back home," Cutcliffe added. "It feels like forever ago since we've played a game on Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium. We're really looking forward to this opportunity to be back home with our friends from Durham."
Duke will be recognizing two groups during Saturday night's tilt as it is Durham Day and Fighting Children's Cancer Day.
"We feel very much a part of Durham," Cutcliffe expressed. "Duke football has been there and embraced that since we've been here and our relationship has grown. I mean, we know that we're 'Bull City' proud and that's important to us."
"It's been great having the support of Durham and to honor the community for a day and for our game," Harris said. "We are really excited about that and looking forward to having a Saturday night game in Wallace Wade. We are looking forward to packing the house."
"It's also Cure Kids' Cancer week," Cutcliffe continued. "That's another thing that is near and dear to our hearts, we have our own Children's Hospital. If you want to take a walk, walk through the Children's Hospital as it will put your mind in the right place, which I occasionally need to do. You'll immediately understand what the meaning of life is."
Â
LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR, QUANSAH IS THERE
Senior linebacker Koby Quansah leads the Blue Devils in tackles this season with 37 tackles for an average of 9.3 per game. That mark places him third in the ACC. In addition, Quansah has racked up 3.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one pass breakup, one quarterback hurry and a fumble recovery.
"It wasn't really any big step," Quansah said on coming into a starter role. "I've been in the program for years. I've been taking everything they've taught me. Every experience I've gotten when I got my chance to go in the previous years. And now just taking everything I've learned and put together so when my name is called I am ready."
After last week's performance at Virginia Tech, highlighted by 13 tackles, a pass breakup and a fumble recovery, Quansah was named the ACC Linebacker of the Week.
"I mean, it's everything that our coaches do to prepare us well from practice," Quansah said. "We practice hard, we practice fast, our scout team gives us great looks every day. They really prepare us for the game. The game has really slowed down for us when it's time to go."
The Manchester, Conn., native leads Duke with 22 assists this season and leads the ACC with 5.5 assisted tackles per game.
Â
SINGLETON EMERGING
Dylan Singleton led the Blue Devils in tackles through the first two games of the season and has accumulated 32 tackles over the opening four games. He is also tops on the team with 19 solo takedowns.
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"He's really getting after it," Quansah said. "All the little things they see Dylan do on the field, he's been doing in practice day in, day out."
One emphasis for the senior captain was to take some of the younger members of the Duke program under his wing.
"I think what he's improved upon the most is talking with the young guys, getting them to prepare and show them physically what to do on the field and in practice – especially effort-wise, just getting to the ball and ripping the ball out."
Singleton reached a significant milestone at Virginia Tech with his 100th career solo takedown and his 160th career tackle.
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