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FOOTBALL

Duke Opens The Season By Hosting Army West Point

David Cutcliffe who is going into his eleventh season as the head coach of Duke will begin the 2018 season Friday when  Duke host Army West Point who they lost to last season on the road. 

This season however, Duke will be looking for redemption.

Last season Duke finished the season 7-6 while they finished  3-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference "according to http://www.goduke.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPSID=22666&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&Q_SEASON=2017  and  they defeated Northern Illinois in the Quick Lane Bowl at Ford Field in Detroit Michigan that is home to the Detroit Lions Of The National Football League.

After a six-game losing streak dropped them to 4-6, the Blue Devils (7-6) had to beat Georgia Tech and Wake Forest just to get bowl eligible. They managed that, got a bid to spend Christmas in Detroit, and salvaged the season with a 36-14 win over Northern Illinois. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"People ask me how we came back from 4-6, especially since we don't have a star player who we could turn to," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. "I tell them that we have a roster filled with great teammates. They decided they had to work together if we were going to come up with a decent finish." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

Duke quarterback Daniel Jones finished with 338 yards of offense, throwing two touchdown passes while running for a third score, and Shaun Wilson and Brittain Brown added rushing touchdowns. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"We knew Northern Illinois had a lot of success rushing the passer this year, but our offensive line really controlled things," Jones said. "That really opened things up for our offense. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"We were frustrated after losing to Army, but we were finally able to channel that into motivation." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

Redshirt freshman quarterback Marcus Childers threw for 234 yards and a score for Northern Illinois (8-5), while fellow redshirt freshman Tre Harbison ran for a touchdown. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"Marcus and I know that this offseason is crucial," Harbison said. "If we work hard, we should have a special backfield next year." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

The Blue Devils took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, sandwiching rushing touchdowns around a failed Northern Illinois fake punt on 4th-and-18 from their own 11. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"They were being physical with our gunners, so we thought we could get a pass interference and a first down," Huskies coach Rod Carey said. "They didn't bite, and we had a punter throwing to a defensive back." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

The Huskies had two first downs and 46 yards in the quarter, but tied the game with two scores in the first 2:38 of the second. Duke, though, moved back into a 26-14 lead with two touchdowns before halftime. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"We let up for a little while, and they took advantage of our mistakes," Duke linebacker Joe Giles-Harris said. "We knew we had to get focused again, and we shut them out from there." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

Jones fumbled on the first possession of the second half, but Northern Illinois turned the ball back over after a failed fake field goal. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

THE TAKEAWAY

Duke: Other than the start of the second quarter, where they lost defensive focus on back-to-back possessions, the Blue Devils were in complete control. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"They hit a couple big plays against us, and our offense stalled, so we made some adjustments," Cutcliffe said. "We started passing the ball more, which is what we needed, and our defense started making plays." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

Northern Illinois: The Huskies recovered from the disastrous first-quarter fake punt to get back into the game, but couldn't stay with Duke on either side of the ball. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"We were flying around out there, trying to make plays, but we didn't execute our game plan," said safety Mycial Allen, who was playing in his hometown. "Duke came up with the big plays and we didn't." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

STUNNING SPECIAL TEAMS MOVE

The Blue Devils were startled by Carey's decision to run a fake punt in such a tough spot, especially in the first quarter of a 7-0 game. "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

"That was a very risky move," Cutcliffe said. "We're going to jam their gunners at the line, just like in press coverage, but we aren't going to hit them after that. That means you have to complete the pass to get a first down, and that's not easy to do." "according to http://www.goduke.com/ViewArticle.dbml?SPSID=22672&SPID=1843&DB_OEM_ID=4200&ATCLID=211690780

Army West Point however is independent on the grid iron.

Last season they finished with a record of 10-3 "according to http://goarmywestpoint.com/schedule.aspx?schedule=418&path=football and won the LockHeed Martin Armed Forces Bowl by defeating San Diego State.

– In what has become typical Army West Point football games, the Black Knights persevered here Saturday afternoon in thrilling fashion to win the 2017 Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl, 42-35, over San Diego State. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
In a contest that featured four tie scores and four lead changes, a gutsy two-point conversion call by Army head coach Jeff Monken determined the outcome. After a Darnell Woolfolk one-yard rush pulled Army to within 35-34 with 18 seconds left, SDSU called two timeouts which allowed the Black Knights enough time to draw up the perfect two-point attempt call. With team captain Ahmad Bradshaw under center, the senior stepped back and pitched it to sophomore Kell Walker, who dashed home for the score. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
Ball game. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
SDSU did have 12 seconds to work with, but after returning the kickoff to the 40-yard line, the Aztecs were sacked for a loss of 10 yards before also being tagged with an intentional grounded call. Senior Alex Aukerman was credited with his seventh sack of the season when he took down Christian Chapman. Timeout San Diego State. On the ensuing play, the designated visiting team tried some laterals before fumbling at the 29-yard line into the hands of Elijah Riley who dashed into the end zone. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
Pandemonium ensued, and the entire Black Knights team met the sophomore in the corner of the field to celebrate their second-consecutive bowl victory in as many years. Army has now won back-to-back bowls games for the first time since the 1984 and 1985 seasons (Cherry Bowl and Peach Bowl). "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
The Black Knights matched their program record for wins with Saturday's outcome (10) and broke last season's rushing touchdown mark with 50 on the year after five in the contest. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
Bradshaw led the team in rushing with his 12th 100-yard rushing game after compiling 180 in the contest. He also became the all-time single-season service-academy leading rusher in the contest and wrapped up his senior season with 1,746. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
Woolfolk chipped in 87 yards and two touchdowns to register his sixth multi-score game of the year. Andy Davidson muscled key yardage all game and finished with 81 on the day. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
Bradshaw did complete a pass with a six-yard connection to Camden Harrison in the third quarter. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
 
Jaylon McClinton racked up a team-best six tackles. He was followed closely by James Nachtigal with five. To go along with his sack, Aukerman also notched his first career interception. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football

ARMY GAME NOTES AND HIGHLIGHTS

  • Army is now 5-2 in bowl games.
  • Of the five bowl victories, three have come in the state of Texas.
  • Army tied a program record for wins in a season with 10, tying the 1996 squad.
  • The Black Knights are winners of seven of their last eight games.
  • Army set a new program record for touchdowns in a season with 50.
  • Bradshaw now has 3,038 yards in his career and is fifth all-time on the career rushing list at Army.
  • Bradshaw ran for his 14th touchdown of the season and 27th of his career and is alone in sixth all-time.
  • The senior was named the Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Most Valuable Player.
  • Woolfolk scored his 14th touchdown of the year and has a touchdown in nine of 10 games played this year.
  • Bradshaw and Woolfolk both tied for fifth all-time in single-season touchdowns with 14 after both players scored two in the game.
  • Harrison made his first career reception for six yards on a 3rd down and long to give Army a first down in the third quarter.
  • Riley scored the first touchdown of his career after returning a fumble 29 yards on the final play of the game.
  • Army intercepted its sixth pass of the year after Aukerman's pick.
  • The senior added career sack No. 14.5 in the contest. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football
     


HOW IT HAPPENED

  • After San Diego State returned the opening kickoff to the 27-yard line, a holding penalty on first down put the Aztecs behind the chains. Army managed to make stops on the first two downs to set up a 3rd-and-18, but Rashaad Penny broke free for an 81-yard touchdown to open the scoring 1:24 into the game.
  • Army answered later in the opening frame to pull even with an eight play, 70-yard scoring drive. Davidson and Woolfolk combined for 15 yards on the first two plays to get the Black Knights to midfield. Facing a 3rd-and-2, Bradshaw scampered for 12 yards to become the single-season service academy rushing leader, passing Navy's Napoleon McCallum's mark of 1587 from the 1983 season. Davidson followed that up with a 13-yard carry two plays before Bradshaw rushed in from 19-yards out.
  • SDSU retook the lead on the ensuing drive, capped by a 32-yard rush by Perry for his second score of the game.
  • Not to be outdone, the Black Knights produced a scoring drive the next time they touched the ball to bring the score to 14-all. After crossing midfield, Davidson carried several Aztec defenders for a 12-yard gain. Bradshaw lost a handle on the ball on the following play, but bounced back with a 13-yard scurry for a first down. Woolfolk then muscled his way into the end zone from seven-yards out to bring the Black Knights even with 7:50 left in the half.
  • After a SDSU punt, the Black Knights earned their first lead of the game on their next drive. Army needed 13 plays to travel 53 yards, starting with sequential four-yard carries by Calen Holt, Connor Slomka, Bradshaw and Davidson. The Cadets continued to move the chains the next two times with a pair of critical eight-yard carries on third downs by Bradshaw and Fred Cooper Jr. to keep the drive alive. Davidson came up with the key rush with 18 seconds remaining before the break by diving into the end zone to finish off a four-yard touchdown run.
  • Army elected to kick it short on the ensuing kickoff to Juwan Washington, who fielded the ball at his own 22-yard line and cut it across the field down the right sideline for the equalizing score right before the teams broke for halftime.
  • The Black Knights opened the third quarter with an Armed Forces Bowl record 20-play drive that lasted 11:19. Unfortunately, the Cadets were unable to produce any points on the play and turned the ball over following a failed fake field goal play. San Diego State then started its first drive of the second half and needed just four plays to retake the lead, capped by Penny's third touchdown of the afternoon, this time from 49-yards out.
  • The two sides traded interceptions with Aukerman contributing his first pick of the year in the red zone after McClinton tipped the ball in the air while falling to the ground. The Black Knights took advantage of that opportunity by marching 79 yards down the field on 10 plays. Bradshaw found the end zone for the second time in the contest with 9:25 left in the game after breaking off for a 27-yard rush.
  • Penny added his fourth score of the game on the following drive to put the Aztecs back on top, 35-28, with 5:47 remaining.
  • The Black Knights capitalized on yet another long drive, closing out the 15-play, 72-yard journey with a one-yard score by Woolfolk to pull Army within one. After back-to-back called timeouts by SDSU, the Black Knights attempted a two-point conversion. On the try, Bradshaw pitched the ball to Walker who scampered in to give the Black Knights a one-point advantage. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football

With only 12 ticks left on the clock, San Diego State looked to the passing game to get into field goal range. A sack by Aukerman on an intentional grounding penalty left the Aztecs with seven seconds left. SDSU made a last-ditch effort on the final play with multiple laterals, but had the ball taken away by Riley and returned 29 yards for the final score as time expired to ultimately secure the victory for the Black Knights. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/news/2017/12/23/football-back-to-back-bowl-champions.aspx?path=football

Kick-off is set for 7:00pm. The game will be televised on ESPNU. "according to https://goarmywestpoint.com/schedule.aspx?path=football

 

 

 

College FootballAbigail BaggettArmy West Point, dukeComment