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David Cutcliffe Press Conference Quotes: Virginia
10/15/2019 10:04:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. - Duke football head coach David Cutcliffe met with members of the local media on Tuesday afternoon for his weekly press conference inside Blue Devil Tower.
The Blue Devils travel to Virginia on Saturday for a key ACC contest. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network with Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, and Kelsey Riggs on the call. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. The game can also be heard on the Blue Devils IMG Sports Network through the TuneIn app or goduke.com
David Cutcliffe Duke Football Head Coach
(Ref.: Opening Statement)
"Good morning, afternoon. Big challenge this week for our team. Obviously going on the road. But we're going on the road against a team that may be as balanced as any team I've ever seen and this has kind of become their culture. Offensively, defensively and in the kicking game – all elements of play. We always talk about the blend here, they're as good as you get at doing it. So terrific coaching job done by Bronco Mendenhall and his staff. Their players play with a fierceness. They play with an incredible effort and attitude and so that's why they have been so successful. Obviously, they have a quarterback that can make plays with his arm. He is a terrific pinpoint passer and throws about as well from any body position or balance of anybody I've ever seen. They have a great receiving corps that is terrific at staying alive and competing because they know he can get it to them.
"Defensively, great balance from a great front of linebackers that are extremely active. They base out of a three-four system. So, four backers that do a lot of different things for them. They play also a lot of nickel stuff. And you're going to see three safeties that are terrific. They lost one of the best players in our conference at corner, but I think they just step up with another outstanding one. They're moving the starting safety out to corner and they just have got good quality football players. It's good quality programming, and it's going to make us play well in all three phases in order to win."
(Ref.: On the Duke wide receivers and how Virginia has shut them down over the last couple of years)
"They're a little different in the coverage mechanics than what a lot of people are doing. And one of the things that they do really well is mix coverages. They do a great job of disguising them. They have really good athletes back there, so if they're matching you in man-to-man, which they will, you've got to work hard to separate. I mean, it takes athleticism. If they're playing variations of zone or zone blitz, you've got to recognize in a hurry where things are and you've got to get yourself available. You've got to be quarterback friendly in both circumstances. Our receivers have improved tremendously. We have a lot of confidence right now.
"I'm seeing a lot of transformation in our young people as well as the people that have been here. I love the fact that there's competition. You know that I – I was with Trooper (Taylor) obviously at Tennessee and love the fact that we were able to entice him here. Trooper makes practice like a game. You kind of hear him around, you know, he's got a little bit of energy. So as soon as we get on that practice field, they're working at a level that they're going to improve. And I think that's the biggest difference. Yes, there's some technique things, but I think the quality of their work, drills and otherwise, have been consistently outstanding."
(Ref.: On the linebackers stepping up this season)
"Well, we knew it was a position of strength. You all write the narrative. I will tell you, we got terrific athletes here. We lost two really good veteran players. But people forget how much Koby (Quansah) played. And I'll tell you, Brandon Hill played as good as anybody on our football team in the Clemson game. Go back and look at that. He's running them down like they're standing still. We knew there's a different level, and what's beautiful at that position right now is we got a heck of a coach in Lanier Goethie. I'm so proud of him. He plays like, excuse me he coaches like he played. He quietly was a great player. Not going to hear a lot from him but te's a great football coach. That position is going to continue to be strong under his tutelage at Duke."
(Ref.: On what he liked best about how Quentin Harris rebounded after the Pittsburgh game)
"I think it occurred during the Pittsburgh game. There was never a panic. When you have as bad a half as he had and not an easy start to the second half, you have to keep your composure. You're still an encourager and I've told you all we had a conversation during that time, I told him 'I take full credit for this. We're going to put you where you're doing what you do and what you know.' And he didn't panic. So, I think what we did as we just saw a continuation of him growing as a player, as a person. He's built to handle adversity. You know I don't want to go through nor does he the kind of adversity we went through early in that game. But he did what I personally expected him to do and he'll play as good as he can play each week really if we put him in good positions and he's prepared to do what we ask him to do. I think he'll play really well."
(Ref.: On Trooper Taylor coming in and limiting the number of dropped passes for the wide receivers)
"He likes me. That's why. Yeah, I think he's done a great job of it. There's a lot of push-ups out there and encouragement. They get on the jugs and catch about 100 balls a day. I've seen improvement in many of the guys that maybe weren't playing as much and all of a sudden, I'm watching them in practice and saying, 'Okay, we got more and more people we're going to play.' And that's an advantage for us because everybody's got different levels of size, speed, quickness. And if you catch it, we want you on the field. And hopefully we can grow that. But he's done a great job with building confidence and making demands. Trooper won't tear you down. He's going to always challenge you and build you in almost the same sentence. And I've always liked that about him."
(Ref.: On the comeback story of AJ Reed)
"I think it goes back to offseason work. He got himself in the best condition he's been in. He's gone about it quietly you know doing the things he thought he had to do both personally and in the area of football to get himself focused and ready. And you know I told him his last spring that we'll give him a chance to win the job. And I love the fact that he's never looked back. Nobody's ever going to be perfect in that world. It doesn't just happen that way. But what he's got to do is dependent upon his work ethic. If you have the right focus and the right work ethic, then you succeed. Then when you miss, you're equipped, just like what I was talking about with Quentin. You are going to have bad days. But if you've put the work in and you've done what you should have done, nobody's going to take your confidence away. And that's the key to those types of circumstances."
(Ref.: On the amount of sacks Virginia has compiled so far on the year)
"Virginia does a great job of rushing the passer. The first thing, and it has to always be, is throwing the ball on time. If you hold the ball and you put yourself in a bad circumstance bad things are going to happen. So, that's my job to make sure that we're not thinking back there that we're playing. Secondly, you have to be assignment sound. Because people are going to create twist in circumstances and then thirdly, you've got to win your personal battles. You've got to understand that. And that's why we do one-on-one pass rush full speed. We've got good players up front and I expect them to respond."
(Ref.: On the severity of Saturday's game)
"I think that what this is, is setup time if you want to be a November football team. I've certainly talked with them about that. Virginia is saying the same thing to their guys. It is a huge football game for both of us. These are the games you want to play. This is an opportunity that you don't just seize it Saturday. You better seize it today, tomorrow, Thursday, Friday, because it is about your preparation. It is about your focus, and if you want games to remain big and bigger. You've got to play well in these games. But I think it's a fun thing for our team. And I thought our focus this morning was outstanding. It gives you a sense that they know that it is wide open in this conference. You know what, players know. I mean, you can't fool a player, they've played these teams every year. They know that if you play well, you've got a chance to win. I think that's being said by every coach in the Coastal Division. And it's true. You have to focus on playing extremely well.
"There's a misconception that we have a bunch of average teams. It's not. We've got a bunch of really good football teams. Let's remember, Clemson is the defending national champion. They're not a good football team. They're a great football team. And it's rare you have one in a league. You know, there's years you can have three or four great football teams in the ACC, but that's what we all are striving for. We've got a bunch of really good football teams. Somebody is going to step up ultimately out of this side. I did it back in the SEC. We felt like for a long time with Tennessee and Florida that whoever won that game was going to win the conference championship and guess what – it was true. Then, all of a sudden someone knocked on the door and the west opened a door and here all of them came. So, I talked to our guys all the time about that opportunity."
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The Blue Devils travel to Virginia on Saturday for a key ACC contest. The game will be broadcast on the ACC Network with Chris Cotter, Mark Herzlich, and Kelsey Riggs on the call. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 p.m. The game can also be heard on the Blue Devils IMG Sports Network through the TuneIn app or goduke.com
David Cutcliffe Duke Football Head Coach
(Ref.: Opening Statement)
"Good morning, afternoon. Big challenge this week for our team. Obviously going on the road. But we're going on the road against a team that may be as balanced as any team I've ever seen and this has kind of become their culture. Offensively, defensively and in the kicking game – all elements of play. We always talk about the blend here, they're as good as you get at doing it. So terrific coaching job done by Bronco Mendenhall and his staff. Their players play with a fierceness. They play with an incredible effort and attitude and so that's why they have been so successful. Obviously, they have a quarterback that can make plays with his arm. He is a terrific pinpoint passer and throws about as well from any body position or balance of anybody I've ever seen. They have a great receiving corps that is terrific at staying alive and competing because they know he can get it to them.
"Defensively, great balance from a great front of linebackers that are extremely active. They base out of a three-four system. So, four backers that do a lot of different things for them. They play also a lot of nickel stuff. And you're going to see three safeties that are terrific. They lost one of the best players in our conference at corner, but I think they just step up with another outstanding one. They're moving the starting safety out to corner and they just have got good quality football players. It's good quality programming, and it's going to make us play well in all three phases in order to win."
(Ref.: On the Duke wide receivers and how Virginia has shut them down over the last couple of years)
"They're a little different in the coverage mechanics than what a lot of people are doing. And one of the things that they do really well is mix coverages. They do a great job of disguising them. They have really good athletes back there, so if they're matching you in man-to-man, which they will, you've got to work hard to separate. I mean, it takes athleticism. If they're playing variations of zone or zone blitz, you've got to recognize in a hurry where things are and you've got to get yourself available. You've got to be quarterback friendly in both circumstances. Our receivers have improved tremendously. We have a lot of confidence right now.
"I'm seeing a lot of transformation in our young people as well as the people that have been here. I love the fact that there's competition. You know that I – I was with Trooper (Taylor) obviously at Tennessee and love the fact that we were able to entice him here. Trooper makes practice like a game. You kind of hear him around, you know, he's got a little bit of energy. So as soon as we get on that practice field, they're working at a level that they're going to improve. And I think that's the biggest difference. Yes, there's some technique things, but I think the quality of their work, drills and otherwise, have been consistently outstanding."
(Ref.: On the linebackers stepping up this season)
"Well, we knew it was a position of strength. You all write the narrative. I will tell you, we got terrific athletes here. We lost two really good veteran players. But people forget how much Koby (Quansah) played. And I'll tell you, Brandon Hill played as good as anybody on our football team in the Clemson game. Go back and look at that. He's running them down like they're standing still. We knew there's a different level, and what's beautiful at that position right now is we got a heck of a coach in Lanier Goethie. I'm so proud of him. He plays like, excuse me he coaches like he played. He quietly was a great player. Not going to hear a lot from him but te's a great football coach. That position is going to continue to be strong under his tutelage at Duke."
(Ref.: On what he liked best about how Quentin Harris rebounded after the Pittsburgh game)
"I think it occurred during the Pittsburgh game. There was never a panic. When you have as bad a half as he had and not an easy start to the second half, you have to keep your composure. You're still an encourager and I've told you all we had a conversation during that time, I told him 'I take full credit for this. We're going to put you where you're doing what you do and what you know.' And he didn't panic. So, I think what we did as we just saw a continuation of him growing as a player, as a person. He's built to handle adversity. You know I don't want to go through nor does he the kind of adversity we went through early in that game. But he did what I personally expected him to do and he'll play as good as he can play each week really if we put him in good positions and he's prepared to do what we ask him to do. I think he'll play really well."
(Ref.: On Trooper Taylor coming in and limiting the number of dropped passes for the wide receivers)
"He likes me. That's why. Yeah, I think he's done a great job of it. There's a lot of push-ups out there and encouragement. They get on the jugs and catch about 100 balls a day. I've seen improvement in many of the guys that maybe weren't playing as much and all of a sudden, I'm watching them in practice and saying, 'Okay, we got more and more people we're going to play.' And that's an advantage for us because everybody's got different levels of size, speed, quickness. And if you catch it, we want you on the field. And hopefully we can grow that. But he's done a great job with building confidence and making demands. Trooper won't tear you down. He's going to always challenge you and build you in almost the same sentence. And I've always liked that about him."
(Ref.: On the comeback story of AJ Reed)
"I think it goes back to offseason work. He got himself in the best condition he's been in. He's gone about it quietly you know doing the things he thought he had to do both personally and in the area of football to get himself focused and ready. And you know I told him his last spring that we'll give him a chance to win the job. And I love the fact that he's never looked back. Nobody's ever going to be perfect in that world. It doesn't just happen that way. But what he's got to do is dependent upon his work ethic. If you have the right focus and the right work ethic, then you succeed. Then when you miss, you're equipped, just like what I was talking about with Quentin. You are going to have bad days. But if you've put the work in and you've done what you should have done, nobody's going to take your confidence away. And that's the key to those types of circumstances."
(Ref.: On the amount of sacks Virginia has compiled so far on the year)
"Virginia does a great job of rushing the passer. The first thing, and it has to always be, is throwing the ball on time. If you hold the ball and you put yourself in a bad circumstance bad things are going to happen. So, that's my job to make sure that we're not thinking back there that we're playing. Secondly, you have to be assignment sound. Because people are going to create twist in circumstances and then thirdly, you've got to win your personal battles. You've got to understand that. And that's why we do one-on-one pass rush full speed. We've got good players up front and I expect them to respond."
(Ref.: On the severity of Saturday's game)
"I think that what this is, is setup time if you want to be a November football team. I've certainly talked with them about that. Virginia is saying the same thing to their guys. It is a huge football game for both of us. These are the games you want to play. This is an opportunity that you don't just seize it Saturday. You better seize it today, tomorrow, Thursday, Friday, because it is about your preparation. It is about your focus, and if you want games to remain big and bigger. You've got to play well in these games. But I think it's a fun thing for our team. And I thought our focus this morning was outstanding. It gives you a sense that they know that it is wide open in this conference. You know what, players know. I mean, you can't fool a player, they've played these teams every year. They know that if you play well, you've got a chance to win. I think that's being said by every coach in the Coastal Division. And it's true. You have to focus on playing extremely well.
"There's a misconception that we have a bunch of average teams. It's not. We've got a bunch of really good football teams. Let's remember, Clemson is the defending national champion. They're not a good football team. They're a great football team. And it's rare you have one in a league. You know, there's years you can have three or four great football teams in the ACC, but that's what we all are striving for. We've got a bunch of really good football teams. Somebody is going to step up ultimately out of this side. I did it back in the SEC. We felt like for a long time with Tennessee and Florida that whoever won that game was going to win the conference championship and guess what – it was true. Then, all of a sudden someone knocked on the door and the west opened a door and here all of them came. So, I talked to our guys all the time about that opportunity."
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Players Mentioned
Que'Sean Brown Media Availability: Clemson
Tuesday, October 28
Aaron Hall Media Availability: Clemson
Tuesday, October 28
Coach Brewer Press Conference: Clemson
Monday, October 27
Coach Patke Press Conference: Clemson
Monday, October 27
