More positives than negatives in Duke bowl loss
Duke Blue Devils running back Juwan Thompson #23 runs against the Cincinnati Bearcats during the Belk Bowl at Bank of America Stadium on December 27, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina. Cincinnati defeated Duke 48-34. (Photo by Lance King)
Dec 28, 2012
Duke should have won their bowl game.
If you place the emphasis on the word "should," as in "Duke SHOULD have won their bowl game," a negative connotation might come to mind - one that suggests missed opportunities.
But if you change the emphasis to the word "Duke," an entirely new line of thinking becomes available. DUKE should have won their bowl game. Considering that hasn't happened since JFK was President-Elect, it's pretty meaningful.
Slideshow
Duke no longer has to play a perfect game to beat a good team. Cincinnati wound up being a 10-win team, the kind of team that has throttled Duke teams of the past. But this Duke team essentially had the Bearcats defeated before a goal line fumble and a bit of bad pass defense dramatically changed the outcome.
As Nietzsche once said, "He who would learn to fly one day must first learn to stand and walk and run and climb and dance; one cannot fly into flying." Duke is now somewhere in the walking, running and climbing phase in terms of football. But they've come a long way in a relatively short time. And while their loss to Cincinnati may be the very definition of heart-breaking, it also underscores how competitive this team has become now.
I'll let outgoing senior wide receiver Conner Vernon sum it all up: "Duke football is relevant again," he said.
Well put, Conner.
Most Recent Comments
Posted Dec 30, 9:53 a.m.
Rank: Sports Legend Posts: 19502
Joined: Dec, 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
RE: More positives than negatives in Duke bowl loss
I have been a Duke fan for a couple of years now (about 15 years, I moved here in 93 and just believe in the concept of the student playing athletics vs the concept at other schools where it is athletes playing at academics) and I did not see much to be happy about..It is challenging for K to find 12 tall super athletic students, but he still succeeds..it is darn near impossible of Coach Cut to find 50 or 60 because he competes with the service academies, Stanford, Vandy, and the Ivies, plus all the rest of the big time programs who can attract smart big guys..The D was terrible this year and shows no sign of improvement..I am not convinced he ought to keep his D staff..I also don't see them doing well via the air next year..perhaps it is time for the read option..- Posted by rushbot
I always wondered why K thrives finding smart basketball players, yet any coach at Duke has struggled to find talented football players who can meet the rigorous academic standards of Duke. What you wrote makes sense, though, and I tend to forget how many more players it takes to make a football team than it does for a basketball team. You should be proud of what Cut has accomplished at Duke, and I can't imagine any other coach doing a better job.
I wish there was a way to have a level playing field: standard SAT scores and academic records should be required at ALL schools. Until that happens, and I don't believe it ever will, the Dukes and Wakes, and now maybe Carolina after the NCAA investigation, will be at a disadvantage.
There has to be a better way than the current so-called "student"/athlete, which clearly isn't working. Let students be students and athletes be athletes. Offer scholarships that the athlete can utilize at a future date in the event that their athletic aspirations aren't fulfilled. Offer something, anything, because this current model just doesn't work.
Posted Dec 29, 11:00 a.m.
Rank: Veteran Posts: 255
Joined: Nov, 2007
Location: Cary, NC
RE: More positives than negatives in Duke bowl loss
I have been a Duke fan for a couple of years now (about 15 years, I moved here in 93 and just believe in the concept of the student playing athletics vs the concept at other schools where it is athletes playing at academics) and I did not see much to be happy about..It is challenging for K to find 12 tall super athletic students, but he still succeeds..it is darn near impossible of Coach Cut to find 50 or 60 because he competes with the service academies, Stanford, Vandy, and the Ivies, plus all the rest of the big time programs who can attract smart big guys..The D was terrible this year and shows no sign of improvement..I am not convinced he ought to keep his D staff..I also don't see them doing well via the air next year..perhaps it is time for the read option..Posted Dec 29, 7:36 a.m.
Rank: Sports Legend Posts: 19502
Joined: Dec, 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
Lottery
- Posted by Hokie 94JGunn. I had to go back and double check. To keep check on teams in the ACC like you have over the past years, I give huge kudos to you. You beat most all on this Sportsfan. I will ask you for your top lottery numbers one day in the near future.- Posted by jgunn- Posted by Hokie 94I appreciate this one Battling. We were in command until last year. No offense. Logan Thomas. No one went down in stock like he did. OT right now.- Posted by BB5 the Boat Rocker
VT has been rock solid for years. I expect them to bounce back next season. If they have another subpar season, I'd be concerned. They definitely haven't been playing like the Hokies of the past. VT has represented the ACC very well over the years; surprised to see them struggle the way they have this season. Could be one of those things.
That was one ugly game, but I'm glad VT pulled out the win. Now I see why you've been complaining about Logan Thomas all season; he did not look sharp tonight. VT's defense kept them in the game. Glad for Beamer, he has won more games than any other active Div 1 coach, if I heard correctly. That was a tough call to make on 4th down with 5 yards to go, when they decided to try a 51 yard FG, in the rain. Glad to see the same kicker won the game for VT in OT.
Hokie, if I knew how to pick lotto numbers, Id be posting from the Carribean! I've tried everything sports related - the starting five of the '05 and '09 UNC NC teams, Canes' jersey numbers, a combination of jersey numbers of my favorite players in football and basketball and hockey, and nothing, zero, zip, nada.
Posted Dec 29, 7:33 a.m.
Rank: Sports Legend Posts: 19502
Joined: Dec, 2006
Location: Raleigh, NC
RE: More positives than negatives in Duke bowl loss
Sorry JG, I won't make that mistake again!- Posted by dbdevils
No worries! There's a lot more guys that post here, so folks think I'm a guy. In a strange way, it's a compliment:)
Posted Dec 28, 11:31 p.m.
Rank: Pro Posts: 149
Joined: Nov, 2010
Location: Durham, NC
