Upcoming Event: Football versus Tulane on September 5, 2026 at 3:30 p.m.
Football
vs Tulane
Duke Works On Finishing Practices Strong
8/20/2009 4:30:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. - Now over halfway through preseason camp, Head Coach David Cutcliffe and the Blue Devils are happy with the progress and work ethic that is being shown despite the increased temperatures over the last few days.
"What I was most pleased with today was we kept our practice at a high level through two and a half hours of heat," said Cutcliffe. "The last work on the field was full speed, live contact work. There were good things on both sides of the ball. Thad Lewis operated like we know he can operate and he made a significant difference out there today with five or six big plays during that period that resulted in a touchdown."
The live contact period for the first team offense was capped off with a touchdown pass inside the redzone from Lewis to sophomore wide receiver Johnny Williams. The period also featured some key third down stops by the defensive units.
One of the focuses throughout the preseason has been finishing practices strong so the team can play at a high level in the fourth quarter. The team was put through extensive conditioning following Wednesday's morning practice and bounced back with another good practice on Thursday.
"We really extended the team yesterday and found out that our conditioning is at a high level," said Cutcliffe. "We are going to continue on that path and some time next week we will start to get our legs back and get the speed back as we enter the first game."
Duke will try to transfer the high level of practices this week into the second scrimmage of the preseason. The Blue Devils will hold a scrimmage open to the public on Saturday at 4 p.m. in Wallace Wade Stadium. Cutcliffe was happy with the way the veterans performed in the first scrimmage and will look to see improvement on Saturday.
"I was really pleased with the first scrimmage," said Cutcliffe. "One of the things will be to see our more inexperienced players and how they do when they are plugged in. We are looking for less mental errors and I would like to see the effort we are looking for as a team from start to finish. I thought we had lags throughout the last scrimmage. This time I am going to try and create more of a game like situation."
The Blue Devils are nearly two weeks away from the season opener at home against Richmond on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased on goduke.com or by calling the ticket office 919-681-2583.
Players Mentioned
B
/ FootballWednesday, May 27
Tuesday, April 28
Friday, April 10
Friday, April 03
