Tag Archives: David Cutcliffe

ACC Football Top 25 Players of 2012: #11, Conner Vernon

Posted on by
Reply
More Than Any Other Player, Conner Vernon's Proof of Just How Far This Duke Team's Evolved

More Than Any Other Player, Conner Vernon’s Proof of Just How Far This Duke Team’s Evolved

As part of our 2012 season review, we’re counting down the top 25 players in the ACC this season, from no. 25 to no. 1. Obviously these lists are always completely subjective — and thus completely bulletproof, obviously — so feel free to weigh in with your own thoughts in the comments, too.

No. 11, Conner Vernon, WR/Duke (Preseason Rank: 12)

With 283 career catches, Conner Vernon is both Duke’s and the ACC‘s all-time leading receiver. While this may qualify as one of the most “ACC” things ever, put aside the snark for a second and realize just how impressive that figure is. Four years averaging over 70 catches per season. And all while playing for a team that only managed to win six games once in that stretch. If there’s any player who deserves credit more than the others for the Blue Devils’ resurgence, it must be Vernon — the star who chose to stick it out for a four-year degree in Durham over putting up these elite numbers elsewhere. Not just a statistical monster, Vernon was the heart of this Duke team during their season to remember. Even during the team’s late-season swoon, he was still on his game, managing to amass 21 catches, 228 yards and three touchdowns in his final two collegiate games (both losses, unfortunately). With somewhere between average and below-average height and weight, mixed with below-average speed, he’s certainly going to take a dip on draft boards in April. But there’s no denying what an asset a player like Vernon — a devoted student of the game, and tireless worker — is capable of at the next level. Any warts scouts may see in his game could all very well be ironed out by the time his name’s called that weekend.

Continue reading →

About these ads

2012 ACC Football Season Recap: Duke Blue Devils

Posted on by
2
Thanks to Conner Vernon (And Others), Duke's 18-Year Bowl Drought Was Put to an End in 2012

Thanks to Conner Vernon (And Others), Duke’s 18-Year Bowl Drought Was Put to an End in 2012

Team: Duke Blue Devils

W-L: 6-7 (3-5)

Postseason: 48-34 Belk Bowl loss to Cincinnati

Top Offensive Performer: Conner Vernon, WR

Top Defensive Performer: Ross Cockrell, CB

It almost feels like two separate seasons for Duke. First there was the 6-2 start, culminating in their exciting last-minute victory over archrival North Carolina that gave the Blue Devils their first six-win season since 1994. And then there was the rest; an 0-5 finish that saw them outscored by a combined score of 246-130. So while we’ll certainly commend Duke for ending an 18-year postseason drought, it’s also difficult to look upon 2012 as a complete success in hindsight, considering how disappointing the end was. But when looking at the successful part of the equation, you don’t have to look past the offense.

Under David Cutcliffe, Duke’s program has mostly grown gradually as a result of their passing offense and the star tandem of QB Sean Renfree and WR Conner Vernon. However, in 2012, that improvement was sped up immensely, as the team scored 31.5 points per game (versus just 22.4 last season). The Blue Devils scored 35 points or more five different times, and most importantly, possessed one of the country’s best passing attacks. Whether it was Renfree or backup (and 2013 starter) Anthony Boone, Duke’s quarterbacks averaged over 280 yards per game through the air (good for 31st in the country). And while the passers were/are certainly a big part of that, there’s also plenty of credit due to the team’s expert wide receivers. Vernon and Jamison Crowder were outstanding this season, even by their elevated standards. Combined, they had 161 catches, 2,148 yards and 16 touchdowns — all among the most impressive figures in the country for a receiving duo. The running game, while underwhelming overall (ranked 100th in the FBS), also showed marked improvement over 2011 (115th), and was a big part of many of the team’s big victories this time around.

Continue reading →

ACC Football 2012 Week 12 Lessons: Maryland Move Shows Conference Realignment Truly Never Ends

Posted on by
Reply

Just When We Thought Realignment Was Over, Maryland Jumps to the Big Ten

Each Monday morning, we compile our top five takeaways from the weekend’s action. Here’s what we got out of Week 12 of ACC football action:

1. Conference realignment never stops: With Maryland and Rutgers headed to the Big Ten, the wheels are turning once again, and no one’s really sure what the next steps are. We thought it was over after Notre Dame joined the ACC. And then again when the playoff system was hashed out. Instead, any number of things can happen now — from the Big East ceasing to exist, to the Big 12 getting aggressive or even the ACC imploding. As an ACC blog, we’re obviously on edge until there’s some indication of what’s next, but even then, realignment will always be there to ambush fans and conferences alike.

2. Someone hand Tajh Boyd an award… any award: The Clemson quarterback has lit the league on fire all season, but Saturday’s performance may have taken the cake. Rewriting the school and conference record books, the junior accounted for 529 total yards and EIGHT scores. I don’t care whose defense you’re facing; those are impressive figures. But yet, Boyd has heard very little chatter in terms of any individual awards. He has over 3,500 total yards and 41 touchdowns on the season, with two games to go. You can’t tell me he’s not deserving of some sort of recognition.

3. Georgia Tech‘s season is reborn: Winning versus Duke on Saturday, coupled with Miami‘s announcement today that they’ll be imposing yet another postseason ban, means the Yellow Jackets are headed to the ACC Championship Game. And regardless of the circumstances around the division title, it counts, and can be considered a huge mark of resilience for this team. Sitting at 3-5 around Halloween, all looked lost in Atlanta. Instead, the squad is one big upset from ending the regular season at 7-5, and could still wind up in the Orange Bowl.

Continue reading →

ACC Football Player of the Week, Week 8: Sean Renfree, Duke

Posted on by
Reply

Duke QB Sean Renfree is the ACC Player of the Week for Week 8

Each week, we’ll be identifying the best ACC player from that weekend’s games. As always, it’s a completely arbitrary award with no specific criteria beyond the vague concept of “excellence.” No, we don’t take write-ins.

ACC Player of the Week, Week Eight: Sean Renfree, QB/Duke

For four years, Duke senior QB Sean Renfree has waited to play in a bowl game. And in that time, he’s been constantly reminded how long it’s been since his team participated in one. So when the face of coach David Cutcliffe’s program revival delivered the game-winning strike with just 13 seconds to go on Saturday, it was a mix of a joy and relief. The Blue Devils, bowl-less since 1994, had notched their sixth win of the season and were officially eligible for the postseason. Renfree, already in the midst of a stellar season (and career), added to his resume by leading one of the most important drives in school history. His 276 yards passing amounted to his third-highest total on the year, but it was the final five to Jamison Crowder that counted most of all.

Honorable Mention:

Giovani Bernard, RB/North Carolina (209 total yards, 2 TD)

Devonta Freeman, RB/Florida State (70 yards rushing, 2 TD)

Jonathan Meeks, S/Clemson (3 tackles, 2 INT, 1 TD)

Alec Lemon, WR/Syracuse (8 catches, 166 yards, 1 TD)

Comment, share this post, follow/like the blog and follow @JohnCassillo on Twitter

ACC Football Goat of the Week, Week 7: Duke Blue Devils Defense

Posted on by
Reply

Indicated by David Cutcliffe’s Expression, Duke’s Defense is the ACC Goat of the Week for Week 7

No one enjoys piling on when things go wrong. But nonetheless, we’ve got to call out the ACC players who were counter-productive in helping their teams grab a victory this weekend. On the bright side for them, they can always get off this list next week. And for their sake, let’s hope they do.

ACC Goat of the Week, Week 7: Duke Blue Devils Defense

Amazing to see Duke’s defensive unit at the top of this week’s list of “goats,” especially since the group’s been such a large part of the Blue Devils’ resurgence this year. Yet, here we are. Up 20-0 early against Virginia Tech, the defense simply needed to play well enough to hold on for the win. And this doesn’t excuse the offense either. Rather, just paying deference to Virginia Tech’s defense, which managed to play lights-out from the second half on. But without the Blue Devils allowing long runs throughout the contest, and 525 total yards of offense (269 on the ground), perhaps things go a bit differently. To make matters worse, Tech came in struggling to generate any offense. And yet, 41 points later, they pull off a huge comeback en route to a season-rehabilitating season. If Duke hopes to get to six wins, the problems of last week must be corrected immediately.

Honorable Mention:

Ryan Nassib, QB/Syracuse (356 yards passing, 1 TD, 4 turnovers)

Stephen Morris, QB/Miami (155 passing yards, 2 INT)

Phillip Sims, QB/Virginia (139 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Chase Rettig, QB/Boston College (122 passing yards, 1 TD, 1 INT)

Comment, share this post, follow/like the blog and follow @JohnCassillo on Twitter

ACC Football 2012 Previews & Predictions: Week Five

Posted on by
8

Duke Johnson and the Miami Hurricanes Look to Extend Their Surprising Start with Another ACC Win

Byes aplenty this week, as the ACC has just 10 teams in action amidst what ends up being a fairly dull slate of games nationwide, somehow. In fact, the guys over at Shutdown Fullback will tell you it’s downright awful (like Ibis-on-a-jet-ski-plus-explosions awful). Still, we trek on and highlight the best of ACC action, in the hopes that it surpasses the pure boredom that will be College Gameday this week (OSU-MSU). The B1G: Where they can’t field a postseason-eligible team that could finish in the top 15.

Game of the Week

NC State Wolfpack (3-1) (0-0) at Miami Hurricanes (3-1) (2-0): Both of these teams have fared poorly in their big non-conference tests thus far. For the Wolfpack, they were run off the field by Tennessee to open the season and Miami was embarrassed by Kansas State in week two. Since those losses, however, both teams appear rejuvenated, relying on some unexpected skill players to show them the way, in freshmen Duke Johnson (Miami) and Shadrach Thornton (NC State). If the ‘Canes can generate an efficient rushing attack with Johnson and veteran back Mike James, they’ll have a shot against the Pack. But, given how porous the Miami defense is, Thornton and senior QB Mike Glennon may be all NC State needs to win their first conference game of the year. Prediction: NC State 24, Miami 21

The Rest of the Slate (in order of start time):

Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (2-1) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (2-2) (1-2): Middle Tennessee State allows over four yards per carry, which is going to be a bit of a problem against Georgia Tech’s triple-option. Despite their loss to Miami last week, the Wreck still ran for 287 yards; no small number, and they’re likely to equal or surpass that figure this week. So the Blue Raiders obviously have an uphill battle ahead. The only saving grace may be their own respective ability to move the ball on the ground — but it’s also against some pitiful competition. Tech’s looking to bounce back after their disappointing result on Saturday, and will definitely do so. Prediction: Georgia Tech 45, MTSU 17

Continue reading →

ACC Football 2012 Week 2 Lessons: Pitt’s Season Is Imploding On Itself

Posted on by
6

After Two Miserable Losses, Pittsburgh Is Obviously in For a Rough 2012

Each Monday morning, we compile our top five takeaways from the weekend’s action. Here’s what we got out of Week 2 of ACC football action:

1. Pittsburgh is done: Back-to-back ghastly performances by the Panthers have the fan base and program reeling as they stare at impending doom. Everything we thought we knew about this team — solid rushing attack, talented defense — were patently false. Now we’re waiting for the bottom to fall out.

2. Duke is still very much a work in progress: We discussed the Blue Devils’ issues from Saturday ad nauseum in our recap, but it’s worth repeating here as well. Despite all the progress coach David Cutcliffe has made, that team’s absolute ceiling is 6-6, with four wins far more likely.

3. Syracuse‘s offense can hang with nearly anyone: They scored 41 points in a loss to Northwestern. Another 29 in a loss to USC that, quite frankly, was about as impressive a showing as you may see against the Trojans during the regular season. There’s obviously more work to be done on defense, and they’ll have to learn how to run the ball with consistency, but this team will put up points all year.

Continue reading →