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David Cutcliffe Press Conference Quotes: Virginia Tech
9/24/2019 10:24:00 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 head back on the road Friday when they travel to Virginia Tech for their ACC opener at 7 p.m. That contest will be broadcast live on ESPN with Dave Lamont, Gene Chizik, and Jerry Punch on the call.
David Cutcliffe Duke Football Head Coach
(Ref.: Opening statement)
"Good afternoon. Obviously, the game changes quite a bit you know with the open date. It feels awkward now that we're playing Friday night and here we are at a Tuesday press conference. But ACC football is upon us. As we all know we've got five of these in a row. When you go on the road in a conference game, you've got to understand how mature you must be as a football team. Virginia Tech is always physical. Virginia Tech competes. I've watched the last two- or three-year's games you know along with what they've done this year and it's interesting to watch their young people compete. And that's a tribute to Coach Fuente and his staff. They play hard and they play well. So, to go in there and play in Blacksburg and you're also playing against a very hostile crowd, takes a lot of maturity.
Â
"We've practiced well. We've worked hard. It has been an unusual week because of playing on Friday night. We practiced last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and last Friday morning before we left to go recruiting was a Sunday practice. We gave them Saturday off, which is their normal Monday off. Sunday was our Tuesday practice. But because of academic commitments we do not ever practice on Monday or even have meetings. So we've given them two days off in the last four. Practiced really well this morning, very energized, very focused. I think the team realizes the challenge. And now we just need to finish out well, get on the bus and go play complete. Because that's what it's going to take to be successful."
Â
(Ref.:Â On trying to get Virginia Tech's (Ryan) Willis out of his comfort zone early)
"One of the toughest things is they're always really good on the offensive line. So, to create pass rush yeah, you can pressure. You got five-man rushes. You got six-man rushes and on rare occasions seven man. But to depend upon that is never what you hope. Some guys have got to win some battles to put pressure on. He's a really good player. Any quarterback, the more time you give them, the more successful they're going to be. So obviously, we've worked hard on that. We were very aware of that. We've worked hard. I think we're better than we've been upfront. We're more mature now. And we've just got to go play and compete."
Â
(Ref.: On what Chris Rumph brings to the table despite being "undersized" for a defensive end in the ACC)
"I'll tell you what, I kid with Chris all the time. And I'm not exactly sure but he may be about 230, 233. But I told him you do a better job of turning 230 pounds into 180. He can get through a crack that big. He's got a knack and he is also very competitive. He's very smart. He's got a lot of football savvy. He grew up in a football family. And Chris is unique in that regard. We use him in a lot of different ways. And we'll continue to do that."
Â
(Ref.: On how Duke's secondary plans to combat the size of the Virginia Tech wide receivers)
"Well, we're a little different. We've got plenty of size in the secondary, and you just got to be physical with those guys. That's what the game has turned into. You don't ever know for sure what is interference and what's not interference. But you do know this -- If you're not competing for every ball then those types of receivers will get the job done. So yeah, they've got some outstanding people. And so you've got a good match up and you got to compete. But you've got to compete.
Â
"What we have seen – Brian Fields, a few years ago told me – I was meeting with players just by position in the summer. And I said, 'Brian', because he's such a savvy player, 'what's the most important aspect of playing in the secondary?' And he was going into his senior year and he said 'coach, that it's never over. That you compete and you try to get that ball out. It's never over. It's never ever over.' And I think those young players you know, listened to him. And that's this type of ballgame. You've got to compete at that level if you understand what it means to never give up. You can always get that ball out. That's a critical part to playing in the position."
Â
(Ref.: On the defensive line stepping up their game recently)
"Yeah, I don't think it's a question. We've still had a little bit of this. But I may have mentioned this earlier. We had 62 missed sacks a year ago. So sometimes when you win the battle and you don't get the prize, winning the battle is not enough. You've got to win the battle and get the prize. We've worked hard on that. There's a great emphasis on that. There's never going to be against a good team that many opportunities. So, if you go, one of four, that's not good enough. You know that's like dropping fly balls. It can cost you. There'll be a home run coming if you do it. I think that's one of the biggest emphasis we had during camp. We don't hit our quarterbacks so we've come up with creative ways and we've spent more time doing one-on-one pass rushes than we ever have. And they're doing a good job of it, very enthusiastically. But we're able to finish on defense and try to finish getting the job done on offense in the way we've designed the drill."
Â
(Ref.: On playing in the great environment Virginia Tech has showcased over the last couple years)
"I think as an athlete, every player likes those environments. Yeah, it's going to be problematic to hear when momentum goes in their direction. It can become harder to regain it or you find out there's something in you that you hope lives there -- stays there. So, I think you embrace those times. Hats off to them. Frank Beamer, all of the history there, the Virginia Tech fan base, the university. They have built something up there really special from a football perspective. But you know I think you have to embrace it."
Â
(Ref.: On what's been his impressions of the Virginia Tech defense so far this year)
"I think they're playing well together. They've got strong tackling. Their linebacker play is outstanding. They've got a lot of the front people back and a lot of secondary players back. I think they're a better defense than they were a year ago."
Â
(Ref.: On jumping out to a quick start)
"If you're fortunate enough to get a fast start it makes a difference. You can't count on it. But you, I mean, you literally are trying to attempt that. You talk about that as a staff. You plan what you're trying to accomplish early offensively and early defensively and in the kicking game. It's critically important. But you can't depend upon it, if that makes sense."
Â
(Ref.: On Scott Bracey finally playing with some confidence after dealing with numerous injuries throughout his career)
"You know, myself, Trooper Taylor, Zack Roper … Scott is really bright. He's in graduate school right now. And he gets it. He understands and I think you have to reinforce, reinforce, reinforce. But Trooper's energy has tried to make it a little bit fun for him. And we can't forget as coaches that the game itself –football you play it because it's fun. You shouldn't be playing it because you think you're going to get your school paid for. You shouldn't be playing in college thinking you're going to be a pro football player and get big money. You have to ultimately, deeply play the game because you love the game. And we have to help that. I think Scott's found that love again in the game."
Â
(Ref.: On whether he was concerned at one point with Scott's confidence in the game)
"I would say, based on conversations with Scott, yes. Because he wasn't sure, you know. And you can't give people confidence. It's one of the big mistakes people make in trying to just give somebody confidence. You explain how they can earn it. But they have to earn it. I've had a multitude of college players, a lot of quarterbacks that say 'coach, I'm just not confident.' Okay, let's talk. I'm not going to tell you that I can give you confidence. I'm going to tell you exactly how you have to earn it. And it's about your work. Let's focus on your work. And if you start focusing on your work instead of what you want it to be then that's a start. Do you understand the difference in the two? You start focusing on what you want your work to be, what you want the product to be, you forget to live in the moment. That's not where -- it's not where confidence lives."
Â
(Ref.: On Daniel Jones' first career start at quarterback in the NFL)
"Yeah, and you're asking a question about Daniel. I can kind of leave the other side that's so emotional to me behind. I've never done this. I will share this with you guys. We practiced Sunday. We were watching practice tape. I knew it was about fourth quarter time. I said, what the heck guys. This is ridiculous. I said, 'you young people I know can stream it in here.' So we streamed it in both staff rooms on the big screen. Saw the whole fourth quarter. You have never heard such a ruckus. I mean, we were so jacked up and there was something about that kicker's look in his eye. I mean, I knew he was going to miss it. I'm not being – I'm not a soothsayer but when that missed, we were dancing all over the Yoh on the fourth floor. I'm surprised that Adam (Barkley) wasn't up there videoing it.
Â
"I talked to Daniel last night. I've calmed down. He's calmed down. You know I told him again, what I just told you all. The highest form of sanity is to live in the present moment. People are going around thinking about what's going to happen. Man, am I going to be prepared? What's going to happen in the game or think about the past. You'll lose your mind. If you want to be a fairly sane person, be where your feet are. And that's what I told him. If you're having dinner, have dinner. When you are working, work, but don't work and be thinking about what you're worried about two days down the road. I said, 'this is going to be a challenge.' And I'm giving you 44 years of coaching. 44 years of coaching and how I've managed to survive. I love what I'm going to do. I love being with you guys. But I love what I'm doing back in the staff room with a meeting with the coaches and I'm not worried about Friday night at the moment. Friday night has enough worries of its own and we'll wait till then. But he was great. He's in great spirits as he should be. Don't listen to the noise when it's good. Satchel Paige said it best. If you don't pray when the sun shines, then don't pray when it rains. And basically, I told him that let's just be okay with our work. So happy for him. Fired up. Happy for his dad and mom and siblings. Go watch Duke soccer! His sister wants you to come see them play."
Â
The Blue Devils head back on the road Friday when they travel to Virginia Tech for their ACC opener at 7 p.m. That contest will be broadcast live on ESPN with Dave Lamont, Gene Chizik, and Jerry Punch on the call.
David Cutcliffe Duke Football Head Coach
(Ref.: Opening statement)
"Good afternoon. Obviously, the game changes quite a bit you know with the open date. It feels awkward now that we're playing Friday night and here we are at a Tuesday press conference. But ACC football is upon us. As we all know we've got five of these in a row. When you go on the road in a conference game, you've got to understand how mature you must be as a football team. Virginia Tech is always physical. Virginia Tech competes. I've watched the last two- or three-year's games you know along with what they've done this year and it's interesting to watch their young people compete. And that's a tribute to Coach Fuente and his staff. They play hard and they play well. So, to go in there and play in Blacksburg and you're also playing against a very hostile crowd, takes a lot of maturity.
Â
"We've practiced well. We've worked hard. It has been an unusual week because of playing on Friday night. We practiced last Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday and last Friday morning before we left to go recruiting was a Sunday practice. We gave them Saturday off, which is their normal Monday off. Sunday was our Tuesday practice. But because of academic commitments we do not ever practice on Monday or even have meetings. So we've given them two days off in the last four. Practiced really well this morning, very energized, very focused. I think the team realizes the challenge. And now we just need to finish out well, get on the bus and go play complete. Because that's what it's going to take to be successful."
Â
(Ref.:Â On trying to get Virginia Tech's (Ryan) Willis out of his comfort zone early)
"One of the toughest things is they're always really good on the offensive line. So, to create pass rush yeah, you can pressure. You got five-man rushes. You got six-man rushes and on rare occasions seven man. But to depend upon that is never what you hope. Some guys have got to win some battles to put pressure on. He's a really good player. Any quarterback, the more time you give them, the more successful they're going to be. So obviously, we've worked hard on that. We were very aware of that. We've worked hard. I think we're better than we've been upfront. We're more mature now. And we've just got to go play and compete."
Â
(Ref.: On what Chris Rumph brings to the table despite being "undersized" for a defensive end in the ACC)
"I'll tell you what, I kid with Chris all the time. And I'm not exactly sure but he may be about 230, 233. But I told him you do a better job of turning 230 pounds into 180. He can get through a crack that big. He's got a knack and he is also very competitive. He's very smart. He's got a lot of football savvy. He grew up in a football family. And Chris is unique in that regard. We use him in a lot of different ways. And we'll continue to do that."
Â
(Ref.: On how Duke's secondary plans to combat the size of the Virginia Tech wide receivers)
"Well, we're a little different. We've got plenty of size in the secondary, and you just got to be physical with those guys. That's what the game has turned into. You don't ever know for sure what is interference and what's not interference. But you do know this -- If you're not competing for every ball then those types of receivers will get the job done. So yeah, they've got some outstanding people. And so you've got a good match up and you got to compete. But you've got to compete.
Â
"What we have seen – Brian Fields, a few years ago told me – I was meeting with players just by position in the summer. And I said, 'Brian', because he's such a savvy player, 'what's the most important aspect of playing in the secondary?' And he was going into his senior year and he said 'coach, that it's never over. That you compete and you try to get that ball out. It's never over. It's never ever over.' And I think those young players you know, listened to him. And that's this type of ballgame. You've got to compete at that level if you understand what it means to never give up. You can always get that ball out. That's a critical part to playing in the position."
Â
(Ref.: On the defensive line stepping up their game recently)
"Yeah, I don't think it's a question. We've still had a little bit of this. But I may have mentioned this earlier. We had 62 missed sacks a year ago. So sometimes when you win the battle and you don't get the prize, winning the battle is not enough. You've got to win the battle and get the prize. We've worked hard on that. There's a great emphasis on that. There's never going to be against a good team that many opportunities. So, if you go, one of four, that's not good enough. You know that's like dropping fly balls. It can cost you. There'll be a home run coming if you do it. I think that's one of the biggest emphasis we had during camp. We don't hit our quarterbacks so we've come up with creative ways and we've spent more time doing one-on-one pass rushes than we ever have. And they're doing a good job of it, very enthusiastically. But we're able to finish on defense and try to finish getting the job done on offense in the way we've designed the drill."
Â
(Ref.: On playing in the great environment Virginia Tech has showcased over the last couple years)
"I think as an athlete, every player likes those environments. Yeah, it's going to be problematic to hear when momentum goes in their direction. It can become harder to regain it or you find out there's something in you that you hope lives there -- stays there. So, I think you embrace those times. Hats off to them. Frank Beamer, all of the history there, the Virginia Tech fan base, the university. They have built something up there really special from a football perspective. But you know I think you have to embrace it."
Â
(Ref.: On what's been his impressions of the Virginia Tech defense so far this year)
"I think they're playing well together. They've got strong tackling. Their linebacker play is outstanding. They've got a lot of the front people back and a lot of secondary players back. I think they're a better defense than they were a year ago."
Â
(Ref.: On jumping out to a quick start)
"If you're fortunate enough to get a fast start it makes a difference. You can't count on it. But you, I mean, you literally are trying to attempt that. You talk about that as a staff. You plan what you're trying to accomplish early offensively and early defensively and in the kicking game. It's critically important. But you can't depend upon it, if that makes sense."
Â
(Ref.: On Scott Bracey finally playing with some confidence after dealing with numerous injuries throughout his career)
"You know, myself, Trooper Taylor, Zack Roper … Scott is really bright. He's in graduate school right now. And he gets it. He understands and I think you have to reinforce, reinforce, reinforce. But Trooper's energy has tried to make it a little bit fun for him. And we can't forget as coaches that the game itself –football you play it because it's fun. You shouldn't be playing it because you think you're going to get your school paid for. You shouldn't be playing in college thinking you're going to be a pro football player and get big money. You have to ultimately, deeply play the game because you love the game. And we have to help that. I think Scott's found that love again in the game."
Â
(Ref.: On whether he was concerned at one point with Scott's confidence in the game)
"I would say, based on conversations with Scott, yes. Because he wasn't sure, you know. And you can't give people confidence. It's one of the big mistakes people make in trying to just give somebody confidence. You explain how they can earn it. But they have to earn it. I've had a multitude of college players, a lot of quarterbacks that say 'coach, I'm just not confident.' Okay, let's talk. I'm not going to tell you that I can give you confidence. I'm going to tell you exactly how you have to earn it. And it's about your work. Let's focus on your work. And if you start focusing on your work instead of what you want it to be then that's a start. Do you understand the difference in the two? You start focusing on what you want your work to be, what you want the product to be, you forget to live in the moment. That's not where -- it's not where confidence lives."
Â
(Ref.: On Daniel Jones' first career start at quarterback in the NFL)
"Yeah, and you're asking a question about Daniel. I can kind of leave the other side that's so emotional to me behind. I've never done this. I will share this with you guys. We practiced Sunday. We were watching practice tape. I knew it was about fourth quarter time. I said, what the heck guys. This is ridiculous. I said, 'you young people I know can stream it in here.' So we streamed it in both staff rooms on the big screen. Saw the whole fourth quarter. You have never heard such a ruckus. I mean, we were so jacked up and there was something about that kicker's look in his eye. I mean, I knew he was going to miss it. I'm not being – I'm not a soothsayer but when that missed, we were dancing all over the Yoh on the fourth floor. I'm surprised that Adam (Barkley) wasn't up there videoing it.
Â
"I talked to Daniel last night. I've calmed down. He's calmed down. You know I told him again, what I just told you all. The highest form of sanity is to live in the present moment. People are going around thinking about what's going to happen. Man, am I going to be prepared? What's going to happen in the game or think about the past. You'll lose your mind. If you want to be a fairly sane person, be where your feet are. And that's what I told him. If you're having dinner, have dinner. When you are working, work, but don't work and be thinking about what you're worried about two days down the road. I said, 'this is going to be a challenge.' And I'm giving you 44 years of coaching. 44 years of coaching and how I've managed to survive. I love what I'm going to do. I love being with you guys. But I love what I'm doing back in the staff room with a meeting with the coaches and I'm not worried about Friday night at the moment. Friday night has enough worries of its own and we'll wait till then. But he was great. He's in great spirits as he should be. Don't listen to the noise when it's good. Satchel Paige said it best. If you don't pray when the sun shines, then don't pray when it rains. And basically, I told him that let's just be okay with our work. So happy for him. Fired up. Happy for his dad and mom and siblings. Go watch Duke soccer! His sister wants you to come see them play."
Â
Players Mentioned
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