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David Cutcliffe Press Conference Quotes: Boston College
9/15/2020 5:10:00 PM | Football
DURHAM, N.C. - Duke football head coach David Cutcliffe met with members of the media virtually on Monday afternoon for his weekly press conference.
The Blue Devils welcome Boston College on Saturday for their home opener. The game will be broadcast on RSN with Evan Lepler, Dave Archer, and Lyndsay Rowley on the call. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 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)
"It's week two. Our locker room was a blend of disappointment in South Bend, but also of understanding that we're different than we were a year ago. And we are. But to prove it – to prove that we're a good football team, you don't prove it by playing well and playing well against a great opponent, you prove it by winning. And what this team has to do is put the bumps and the bruises behind you. The week one to week two improvement is there for you. Depending upon how much energy you have in the effort you put into the preparation. I do think that there's a different feel for our team now that you've played a game. I think really most of August there were a lot of them that really weren't sure we were going to play. Even on into the first part of the week last week they were not sure. Now that you've played and they're excited about playing and we've got an opportunity to get back on the practice field. I think our preparation will really be outstanding.
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"Boston College we know very little about. New staff so they haven't played a game. All we can do is do the research, the work, and prepare our team as well as we possibly can. We know it'll be another physical game against a very physical team. Both fronts offensively and defensively. They've had a few graduate transfers come in there to increase that physicality and defensive front. So, we're looking forward to another ACC football game. Every week you're playing conference football and you better play at a high level."
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(Ref.: On receiving votes in the Coaches' Poll)
"Well, I had a number of coaches you know text me. And I mean, I think they saw a good football team in Duke and I think that's legitimate. But again, to stay there and get votes or to have someone consider you to be a really good football team, you got to win. I don't think there's any question. I think people realize the ability that this Notre Dame team has. I think this Notre Dame team is better than they were a year ago. So, you know I don't like coming close. I like playing well. We did play well. We didn't play well enough to win. But certainly, I think we earned some consideration there."
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(Ref.: On moving the Virginia game to September)
"Well, I was kind of asked to confirm it. Happened late Friday night. I did not see it coming because I'm not you know listening to reports and didn't know exactly why initially. But I said, if that's what we have to do, we can do it. I chose not to tell our staff or players because we were getting ready to play Notre Dame the next morning. It's interesting you know we will have to learn to adjust. There's no question. It can happen again. But the next morning, I'm going into our pregame meal and you know today people have their phones out, all they're talking about is the change in the Virginia game. And I had no idea that it was going to be released by the ACC that morning.
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"My suggestion is that we wait till Sunday to release those changes out of respect to teams and staff that are preparing to play a game. Yes, it does put a lot of work in. We always work two weeks out in preparation of an opponent. But what it also does for us is it puts us with another opener where we have no film of an upcoming opponent to have played a game. So, we'll have three opening games in a row, which is unique to say the least. And you know we've got great respect for Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall and the Virginia program. We may know a little bit more about them. But it's still uniquely different. But hey, it's 2020. So we just keep moving forward."
(Ref.: On Duke's running game and the fixes that need to be made after week one)
"I think certainly, you know it's always going to be a part of blocking and seeing holes. I think we missed some opportunities out there and left some yards on the field. You know particularly in our draw game, our counter game. I thought we ran the stretch pretty well. But I really think we left some yards on the field where if we finished blocks or saw holes. I would say a big part of that is we've had very little live running the football and the environment we've had for camp and the circumstances that have been put upon us. The way you get better and better not that we're going to run the ball well this year, but the way you get better at running the football is doing it. And it's got to be some of it live to get your timing. So, I think we learned a little bit more about ourselves. And we'll be better this week than we were a week ago."
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(Ref.: On what his overall thoughts are on the offense after getting a chance to watch film)
"Yeah, I thought Chase (Brice) played really well under a difficult circumstance. You're playing a really good team so a lot of challenging front pressure coverage. He made some great throws. I thought we did mix it in and out. Moved the ball around. Got the ball on the perimeter to try to get the ball downfield. I think if we would have run the ball a little bit better, it would probably have opened up some things for us. I don't think we handled their pressure quite as well as I thought we would have. I can help. Anytime your play caller you can always help with anticipation of pressure and put yourself in a position to be successful. But I really do think top to bottom we played well enough to win on offense.
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"I think the second half we fatigued a little bit, which you know you have to address with the circumstances we've had trying to get yourself there. We've been here working since really July 14, and you can't do it all at one time because you're worried about soft tissue injuries, pulls, hamstrings. You know all of the above. So I think as we get in better and better shape, we'll be better offensively. But for the most part, I was very pleased with our talent, our physicality, and our ability to make some plays."
(Ref.: On what steps he wants to see Chase [Brice] made from week one to week two?)
"Well, I don't think there's any question what's happened with him is about eight days before, you know that he becomes number one and we didn't get enough live scrimmaging with him as the number one quarterback. And you know just getting a feel for the timing, the mechanism the progression that we have in the passing game. The pre-snap reads will be better. I think right now he's starting to feel ownership of the offense. And that's what you have to do as a starting quarterback. Its got to become yours. You've got to be the owner and I think, he's well on his way to becoming that. But I thought he played like a quarterback. And I thought, you know, he made throws that are just big time throws and he made some great decisions out there. And then another part of it that is you can't make mistakes, you know, with the football. What we call ball security has got to be the premium for every snap as a quarterback."
(Ref.: On the atmosphere in South Bend compared to what he might see here at home)
"I think that's a great question. I've been in that stadium. We played there when I've been at Duke, when I've been at Tennessee. When it's full it's crazy, but I honestly was surprised and energized by the amount of people. I thought there were more people than advertised. I don't know if they listed the number of tickets sold and let students in free. But there were some band elements there. It felt like a football game and they had people in the entire rim. So, you did feel somewhat normal with the piped in noise. I think in pregame when the stadium was empty, the piped in noise was different. So, I don't know what it's going to be like here with that same scenario.
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"I hate it for fans. You know I would love for our fans to be a part of it, I mean that's college football at its best. And so whatever could be safely done, you certainly hope that it could be done at some point. But the bottom line is people have to prove that they're going to stay masked and they're going to stay distanced and do what's asked of them to get that opportunity. So, it's obviously not my decision but oh yes we love seeing fans in the stadium.
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(Ref.: On Mark Gilbert's return and how he thought he looked in his first game back)
"Mark was smiling on Friday and smiling on Saturday. He and I had a couple of times to talk. I know he was thrilled to be back out there. I thought he played well. His coverage skills were outstanding. He really wasn't rusty. He got into the physical fray which we've had him do some live contact here in camp not as much as you would like, but got some. And I think you know he got a little banged up early and was not going to come out of that game. He told me this: "I'm not coming out. I'm going to finish." But he's ok. Looks like you know he's going to bounce right back. And I think he'll be much better this week than he was the first week because you get that nervousness, the butterflies will be somewhat gone this week."
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(Ref.: On his team's helmet stickers relating to the Black Lives Matter movement)
"That's been our players. We've let them have that and we've tried to have guidelines with it. A lot of conversation with our players. All of our players input not just our players of color, but every one of our players. And you know that that's a vote for their teammates. That that's a strong feeling of unity. And that's how you grow in any difficult time. You do it together. And so to honor our teammates of color, the black D's will be worn all year long. But you know, again, that is not representing any organizations or anything, it's representing the strength of our teammates and our belief that Black Lives do matter. The players have t-shirts that they wear that says Duke football believes that Black Lives matter and the difference in what we have if you see one you have a black fist and a white fist forming our bull city logo. So, it's about us. It's about our thoughts, our beliefs, and our togetherness as we continue to move forward."
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(Ref.: On the development of the specialists, particularly the punter and kicker)
"You know, it's not going to always work out to be this ideal. I've always liked the ability to redshirt a specialist for a year. College football is so different. Place kickers kicking off the ground, the elements, the intensity of the game. The punter's tempo of the punt, getting it off in 2.0 or less is unique to a punter that's only punted in high school. So, I thought they've done a great job all their redshirt year in getting themselves ready. And we've given them a lot of live work in that regard. They're very, very talented. When we had both of them in camp if I could have done a back flip I would have done on both cases a back flip. Being that excited about their ability. So, I would say this, and I really believe this, that the best is yet to come for those two."
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The Blue Devils welcome Boston College on Saturday for their home opener. The game will be broadcast on RSN with Evan Lepler, Dave Archer, and Lyndsay Rowley on the call. Kickoff is slated for 12:00 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)
"It's week two. Our locker room was a blend of disappointment in South Bend, but also of understanding that we're different than we were a year ago. And we are. But to prove it – to prove that we're a good football team, you don't prove it by playing well and playing well against a great opponent, you prove it by winning. And what this team has to do is put the bumps and the bruises behind you. The week one to week two improvement is there for you. Depending upon how much energy you have in the effort you put into the preparation. I do think that there's a different feel for our team now that you've played a game. I think really most of August there were a lot of them that really weren't sure we were going to play. Even on into the first part of the week last week they were not sure. Now that you've played and they're excited about playing and we've got an opportunity to get back on the practice field. I think our preparation will really be outstanding.
Â
"Boston College we know very little about. New staff so they haven't played a game. All we can do is do the research, the work, and prepare our team as well as we possibly can. We know it'll be another physical game against a very physical team. Both fronts offensively and defensively. They've had a few graduate transfers come in there to increase that physicality and defensive front. So, we're looking forward to another ACC football game. Every week you're playing conference football and you better play at a high level."
Â
(Ref.: On receiving votes in the Coaches' Poll)
"Well, I had a number of coaches you know text me. And I mean, I think they saw a good football team in Duke and I think that's legitimate. But again, to stay there and get votes or to have someone consider you to be a really good football team, you got to win. I don't think there's any question. I think people realize the ability that this Notre Dame team has. I think this Notre Dame team is better than they were a year ago. So, you know I don't like coming close. I like playing well. We did play well. We didn't play well enough to win. But certainly, I think we earned some consideration there."
Â
(Ref.: On moving the Virginia game to September)
"Well, I was kind of asked to confirm it. Happened late Friday night. I did not see it coming because I'm not you know listening to reports and didn't know exactly why initially. But I said, if that's what we have to do, we can do it. I chose not to tell our staff or players because we were getting ready to play Notre Dame the next morning. It's interesting you know we will have to learn to adjust. There's no question. It can happen again. But the next morning, I'm going into our pregame meal and you know today people have their phones out, all they're talking about is the change in the Virginia game. And I had no idea that it was going to be released by the ACC that morning.
Â
"My suggestion is that we wait till Sunday to release those changes out of respect to teams and staff that are preparing to play a game. Yes, it does put a lot of work in. We always work two weeks out in preparation of an opponent. But what it also does for us is it puts us with another opener where we have no film of an upcoming opponent to have played a game. So, we'll have three opening games in a row, which is unique to say the least. And you know we've got great respect for Coach (Bronco) Mendenhall and the Virginia program. We may know a little bit more about them. But it's still uniquely different. But hey, it's 2020. So we just keep moving forward."
(Ref.: On Duke's running game and the fixes that need to be made after week one)
"I think certainly, you know it's always going to be a part of blocking and seeing holes. I think we missed some opportunities out there and left some yards on the field. You know particularly in our draw game, our counter game. I thought we ran the stretch pretty well. But I really think we left some yards on the field where if we finished blocks or saw holes. I would say a big part of that is we've had very little live running the football and the environment we've had for camp and the circumstances that have been put upon us. The way you get better and better not that we're going to run the ball well this year, but the way you get better at running the football is doing it. And it's got to be some of it live to get your timing. So, I think we learned a little bit more about ourselves. And we'll be better this week than we were a week ago."
Â
(Ref.: On what his overall thoughts are on the offense after getting a chance to watch film)
"Yeah, I thought Chase (Brice) played really well under a difficult circumstance. You're playing a really good team so a lot of challenging front pressure coverage. He made some great throws. I thought we did mix it in and out. Moved the ball around. Got the ball on the perimeter to try to get the ball downfield. I think if we would have run the ball a little bit better, it would probably have opened up some things for us. I don't think we handled their pressure quite as well as I thought we would have. I can help. Anytime your play caller you can always help with anticipation of pressure and put yourself in a position to be successful. But I really do think top to bottom we played well enough to win on offense.
Â
"I think the second half we fatigued a little bit, which you know you have to address with the circumstances we've had trying to get yourself there. We've been here working since really July 14, and you can't do it all at one time because you're worried about soft tissue injuries, pulls, hamstrings. You know all of the above. So I think as we get in better and better shape, we'll be better offensively. But for the most part, I was very pleased with our talent, our physicality, and our ability to make some plays."
(Ref.: On what steps he wants to see Chase [Brice] made from week one to week two?)
"Well, I don't think there's any question what's happened with him is about eight days before, you know that he becomes number one and we didn't get enough live scrimmaging with him as the number one quarterback. And you know just getting a feel for the timing, the mechanism the progression that we have in the passing game. The pre-snap reads will be better. I think right now he's starting to feel ownership of the offense. And that's what you have to do as a starting quarterback. Its got to become yours. You've got to be the owner and I think, he's well on his way to becoming that. But I thought he played like a quarterback. And I thought, you know, he made throws that are just big time throws and he made some great decisions out there. And then another part of it that is you can't make mistakes, you know, with the football. What we call ball security has got to be the premium for every snap as a quarterback."
(Ref.: On the atmosphere in South Bend compared to what he might see here at home)
"I think that's a great question. I've been in that stadium. We played there when I've been at Duke, when I've been at Tennessee. When it's full it's crazy, but I honestly was surprised and energized by the amount of people. I thought there were more people than advertised. I don't know if they listed the number of tickets sold and let students in free. But there were some band elements there. It felt like a football game and they had people in the entire rim. So, you did feel somewhat normal with the piped in noise. I think in pregame when the stadium was empty, the piped in noise was different. So, I don't know what it's going to be like here with that same scenario.
Â
"I hate it for fans. You know I would love for our fans to be a part of it, I mean that's college football at its best. And so whatever could be safely done, you certainly hope that it could be done at some point. But the bottom line is people have to prove that they're going to stay masked and they're going to stay distanced and do what's asked of them to get that opportunity. So, it's obviously not my decision but oh yes we love seeing fans in the stadium.
Â
(Ref.: On Mark Gilbert's return and how he thought he looked in his first game back)
"Mark was smiling on Friday and smiling on Saturday. He and I had a couple of times to talk. I know he was thrilled to be back out there. I thought he played well. His coverage skills were outstanding. He really wasn't rusty. He got into the physical fray which we've had him do some live contact here in camp not as much as you would like, but got some. And I think you know he got a little banged up early and was not going to come out of that game. He told me this: "I'm not coming out. I'm going to finish." But he's ok. Looks like you know he's going to bounce right back. And I think he'll be much better this week than he was the first week because you get that nervousness, the butterflies will be somewhat gone this week."
Â
(Ref.: On his team's helmet stickers relating to the Black Lives Matter movement)
"That's been our players. We've let them have that and we've tried to have guidelines with it. A lot of conversation with our players. All of our players input not just our players of color, but every one of our players. And you know that that's a vote for their teammates. That that's a strong feeling of unity. And that's how you grow in any difficult time. You do it together. And so to honor our teammates of color, the black D's will be worn all year long. But you know, again, that is not representing any organizations or anything, it's representing the strength of our teammates and our belief that Black Lives do matter. The players have t-shirts that they wear that says Duke football believes that Black Lives matter and the difference in what we have if you see one you have a black fist and a white fist forming our bull city logo. So, it's about us. It's about our thoughts, our beliefs, and our togetherness as we continue to move forward."
Â
(Ref.: On the development of the specialists, particularly the punter and kicker)
"You know, it's not going to always work out to be this ideal. I've always liked the ability to redshirt a specialist for a year. College football is so different. Place kickers kicking off the ground, the elements, the intensity of the game. The punter's tempo of the punt, getting it off in 2.0 or less is unique to a punter that's only punted in high school. So, I thought they've done a great job all their redshirt year in getting themselves ready. And we've given them a lot of live work in that regard. They're very, very talented. When we had both of them in camp if I could have done a back flip I would have done on both cases a back flip. Being that excited about their ability. So, I would say this, and I really believe this, that the best is yet to come for those two."
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Players Mentioned
CB
/ FootballCoach Diaz Media Availability: NC State
Wednesday, September 17
Aaron Hall Media Availability: NC State
Tuesday, September 16
Justin Pickett Media Availability: NC State
Tuesday, September 16
Coach Patke Press Conference: NC State
Monday, September 15
