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Rucker Understands What Tonight's Game Was All About
9/26/2009 11:30:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. - Kinney Rucker, more than any other Duke player -- with the possible exception of freshman running back Desmond Scott -- understood what the first Bull City Classic was all about.
The Blue Devils' senior defensive tackle reveled in the moment as he walked out to the center of the field before the kickoff of Duke's 49-14 victory over North Carolina Central. The Durham native was appointed a co-captain for the first historic meeting between Durham's two universities.
"I moved down here in the sixth grade," Rucker said. "I went to Central games. I went to Duke games. For this to happen, is huge.
"I went to the pep rally Thursday, just to see the camaraderie. It is amazing how much this community has come together and how much times have changed. Growing up, you never thought you'd see Duke and Central playing on the same field. As they moved up another division, it made it possible."
North Carolina Central, a small college program for most of its history, has recently moved up to the Football Championship Subdivision (formerly known at 1-AA). Duke, which plays in the Football Bowl Subdivision (1-A), is still playing in the higher division, but the distance between the two has narrowed significantly -- enough that the intra-city series could become a reality.
"I'm glad to be on the good side of history with the win," Rucker said. "It is monumental for the city."
Rucker said he didn't think that he and Scott had any extra motivation because of their ties to the city of Durham.
"I think the whole team was up for this game," he said. "It probably looked that way because we're both from Durham, but I feel like the team took it as an opponent we have to step our game up. Huge tribute to Desmond for going out and rushing for 100 yards in his first collegiate game."
It is also a huge tribute to Rucker that he was able to start at defensive tackle on a night when all-star candidate Vince Oghobaase was sidelined with an injury. Just a few weeks ago, it appeared that Rucker would miss most or all of the season with an injured foot. His fight to overcome the injury and to get ready to play in the opener had Coach David Cutcliffe comparing the Jordan High School graduate to Superman.
"I don't know if he is close to where he was, but he made a couple of nice plays," Cutcliffe said. "If you remember, at Jordan he was a skilled athlete. He ran kickoffs back. His quickness and his ability to explode is his opportunity to make plays. He is better than he was. He is not 100 percent by any means. But I saw the old Kinney come off the block on the backside one time and get the tackle behind the line of scrimmage."
Rucker claims he's getting closer to full speed.
"I'd say I'm about 89-90 percent," he said. "The more games I play, the less the foot is on my mind. I'm just getting used to it. I feel like I'm getting to where I want to be."
The Duke team still has a way to go to get to where Rucker wants it to be. But he sees the North Carolina Central win as a step in the right direction.
"It's all about us, no matter who we play," Rucker said. "If we play our assignment and play hard, good things will happen. It's not about who we play. It's about us. We started off hot tonight, then things got away a little bit. Then we regrouped and we started to play a lot better. The one thing that we did this game is we got better as the game went along."
Duke is now 2-2 on the season. The Blue Devils will open ACC play next week when Virginia Tech comes to Wallace Wade for a noon game.
"This win is a huge momentum boost that hopefully we can take into ACC play next week," Rucker said. "Now that non-conference is over, things get a lot harder -- a lot more intense."
Players Mentioned
Coach Diaz Media Availability: Tulane
Wednesday, September 10
Darian Mensah Media Availability: Tulane
Tuesday, September 09
Josiah Green Media Availability: Tulane
Tuesday, September 09
Coach Patke Press Conference: Tulane
Monday, September 08
