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Duke

Duke off to poetic start, ready for road test

Sep 5, 2012

Durham, N.C. — Duke was one of the top stories in the first week of college football after dismantling a Florida International team that returned about half of their starters from an 8-5 team. Now the Blue Devils have a newfound confidence and are getting ready for one of their season’s biggest tests.

Head coach David Cutcliffe turned to poetry Tuesday to describe his football team and their early-season attitude.

“I think it was Robert Frost that said, ‘the reason more people worry than they do work is that it’s a lot easier,’” Cutcliffe said. “It’s a lot easier to worry than it is to work and the way you become a confident person is to know you are prepared.”

Cutcliuffe’s team earned that confidence after a 46-26 season-opening win over FIU – a win that saw the Devils force three fumbles and return a blocked field goal for a touchdown.

“That’s what happens when you are trying to win the game every play,” Cutcliffe said. “I told our guys, and I tell them every day, ‘if you block a field goal, you should be insulted if you don’t score.’ How great was it to see our team ready for that moment?”

Now, the moment takes Duke to the other side of the country. The Devils’ match-up against Stanford presents a chance to beat a ranked opponent on the road -- something the Devils haven’t done since they beat the Cardinal in 1971.

“I’m looking forward to the game, and when the game comes around, our blood will be pumping and we’ll be ready to play,” said cornerback Russ Cockrell. More Info     More Duke Stories

Stanford was not as impressive in their season opener as they have been in year’s past under the direction of Andrew Luck. However, they are 1-0 after a 20-17 win against San Jose State and sit at No. 25 in the AP Poll – down four spots from last week.

“I think everyone’s excited to go out there,” said center Brian Moore. “They’re a Top-20 team, it’s going to be tough but going into somebody else’s house, it’s a big opportunity for us.”

• Reporter: Ken Medlin
• Web Editor: Aaron Schoonmaker