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Football
vs Blue & White Game
Quotes: Maryland 21, Duke 16
10/2/2010 10:00:00 PM | Football
Duke Head Coach David Cutcliffe
Opening Statement:
“Tonight we did some of the same things we've done all season and we got the same results. We lost the turnover margin and gave up points in the kicking game. You can't win football games if you lose the turnover margin and give up points in the kicking game. When you are a team like Maryland that has no turnovers and scores points in the kicking game, you have a real good chance of winning the game, even if you get outplayed. We made progress in certain areas, but we may have taken steps back in others. We continue to do the same things, regardless of results. We are going to take this season one play at a time and one drill at a time. We are going to put this one behind us and evaluate our players so we can get better.”
On the defensive improvements:
“The defense played better, and that's a result of the quality of the practices and consistency. When you are hungry and you work that way, you are going to get better. We are going to continue to improve as a team.”
On Duke's offensive play:
“I think we got on our heels a little bit. We let the pressure bother us, and when you get on your heels it's really difficult to run the ball. As a consequence, we only had one really good run the entire game. It is very difficult when a team is coming at you from all over the place. At some points, we were able to screen them and catch a break. We never really had that consistency, and if we catch a few more balls, it could've been a different game. It boils down to consistency and execution in every game.”
On Duke's red zone offense:
“It's frustrating. We got down there four times, got three field goals and one interception. At the end, we would've liked to have that field goal opportunity. This is one of those games that could've gone differently if we had improved our execution. I can promise that everyone in this program is going to get better at executing.”
On Tony Logan's punt return for a TD:
“We had a gunner down there ready to make a play, but he (Logan) made him miss and found a hole. One of the things I really think Maryland does well is that in the return game, all of the guys blocking for him really feel like he can break one at any point. They put a lot of effort into blocking for their kicking game and it paid off.”
On the atmosphere:
“It was a really great crowd and our kids played into that. The fans got into the game at the right times and made the game more exciting. Even from pregame warm-ups, the fans were really into it.”
Wide Receiver Donovan Varner
On the final drive (specifically the dropped pass):
“We were making progress and that last third down we had out there is something that's bothering me right now. I dropped the ball and I think I tried to get up field too fast before securing the catch. I definitely think that could have been a big play to spark our offense. We definitely made progress from last week, so we're excited about that, but upset at the same time.”
On Maryland's defense:
“Well there were a lot of open holes in their defense, but they have some great athletes and they have a great defense. I think we were just able to find some holes on them and we exposed them when we had the chance.”
On red zone difficulties:
“I think in the red zone we need to have a better mentality and know that we are going to make that play to get in the end zone.”
On turnovers:
“We would definitely like to get them down to zero. They have scholarship players that make plays and they made some good plays out there. I think we made some improvements and we are excited about that.”
Safety Walt Canty
On today's game:
“Of course losing a game you're going to be disappointed because you always want to win, but as a defense and also as a team we just have to continue to get better and continue to stay hungry every week in practice.”
On difference between Duke's defense today than from weeks past:
“When you lose a game you always try to find things to get better at, so we just went into practice with the mindset that we have to get better this week. We had a great week of practice, and when you have a great week of practice, that is how you perform. When you don't practice during the week, you are not going to perform well.”
On the Da'Rel Scott 71-yard touchdown:
“On that play he caught the pass on first down and broke a couple of tackles and he got away for the touchdown. He made a great move to get away and it was off to the races from there.”
Quarterback Sean Renfree
On the difference of Duke's offense between the first and second half:
“There was nothing different, just a lack of execution. It was a combination of different things--not hitting the right people, not making different throws.”
On Duke's final drive:
“We were very confident, we believed we were going to get it in there. We were moving the ball well and, once again, a lack of execution stopped us.”
On the Perez interception before the end of the first half:
“I just tried to force it in there and tried to hurry myself too much.”
On pass protection during game:
“Absolutely, I think our line did a fantastic job tonight. Maryland has a good front and they blocked very well.”
Opening Statement:
“Tonight we did some of the same things we've done all season and we got the same results. We lost the turnover margin and gave up points in the kicking game. You can't win football games if you lose the turnover margin and give up points in the kicking game. When you are a team like Maryland that has no turnovers and scores points in the kicking game, you have a real good chance of winning the game, even if you get outplayed. We made progress in certain areas, but we may have taken steps back in others. We continue to do the same things, regardless of results. We are going to take this season one play at a time and one drill at a time. We are going to put this one behind us and evaluate our players so we can get better.”
On the defensive improvements:
“The defense played better, and that's a result of the quality of the practices and consistency. When you are hungry and you work that way, you are going to get better. We are going to continue to improve as a team.”
On Duke's offensive play:
“I think we got on our heels a little bit. We let the pressure bother us, and when you get on your heels it's really difficult to run the ball. As a consequence, we only had one really good run the entire game. It is very difficult when a team is coming at you from all over the place. At some points, we were able to screen them and catch a break. We never really had that consistency, and if we catch a few more balls, it could've been a different game. It boils down to consistency and execution in every game.”
On Duke's red zone offense:
“It's frustrating. We got down there four times, got three field goals and one interception. At the end, we would've liked to have that field goal opportunity. This is one of those games that could've gone differently if we had improved our execution. I can promise that everyone in this program is going to get better at executing.”
On Tony Logan's punt return for a TD:
“We had a gunner down there ready to make a play, but he (Logan) made him miss and found a hole. One of the things I really think Maryland does well is that in the return game, all of the guys blocking for him really feel like he can break one at any point. They put a lot of effort into blocking for their kicking game and it paid off.”
On the atmosphere:
“It was a really great crowd and our kids played into that. The fans got into the game at the right times and made the game more exciting. Even from pregame warm-ups, the fans were really into it.”
Wide Receiver Donovan Varner
On the final drive (specifically the dropped pass):
“We were making progress and that last third down we had out there is something that's bothering me right now. I dropped the ball and I think I tried to get up field too fast before securing the catch. I definitely think that could have been a big play to spark our offense. We definitely made progress from last week, so we're excited about that, but upset at the same time.”
On Maryland's defense:
“Well there were a lot of open holes in their defense, but they have some great athletes and they have a great defense. I think we were just able to find some holes on them and we exposed them when we had the chance.”
On red zone difficulties:
“I think in the red zone we need to have a better mentality and know that we are going to make that play to get in the end zone.”
On turnovers:
“We would definitely like to get them down to zero. They have scholarship players that make plays and they made some good plays out there. I think we made some improvements and we are excited about that.”
Safety Walt Canty
On today's game:
“Of course losing a game you're going to be disappointed because you always want to win, but as a defense and also as a team we just have to continue to get better and continue to stay hungry every week in practice.”
On difference between Duke's defense today than from weeks past:
“When you lose a game you always try to find things to get better at, so we just went into practice with the mindset that we have to get better this week. We had a great week of practice, and when you have a great week of practice, that is how you perform. When you don't practice during the week, you are not going to perform well.”
On the Da'Rel Scott 71-yard touchdown:
“On that play he caught the pass on first down and broke a couple of tackles and he got away for the touchdown. He made a great move to get away and it was off to the races from there.”
Quarterback Sean Renfree
On the difference of Duke's offense between the first and second half:
“There was nothing different, just a lack of execution. It was a combination of different things--not hitting the right people, not making different throws.”
On Duke's final drive:
“We were very confident, we believed we were going to get it in there. We were moving the ball well and, once again, a lack of execution stopped us.”
On the Perez interception before the end of the first half:
“I just tried to force it in there and tried to hurry myself too much.”
On pass protection during game:
“Absolutely, I think our line did a fantastic job tonight. Maryland has a good front and they blocked very well.”
Players Mentioned
Coach Diaz Media Availability: Spring Practice Preview
Tuesday, March 17
Through the Sewer: Episode 1 - Championship Pedigree
Monday, March 16
NFL Combine: Brian Parker II
Saturday, February 28
NFL Combine: Chandler Rivers
Thursday, February 26
