Duke quarterback Sean Renfree was taken in the 7th round of the NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons on Saturday. He was the 249th overall pick. It was the final day of the draft.

Renfree was the first player taken from Duke since 2004. He is the first Duke quarterback to be drafted since 1996.

Renfree is the school’s leader in single season passing accuracy (.673) and career passing accuracy (.647). His career passing yardage is third all-time (9,465). In his career, he was 898-for-1,389 with 51 touchdowns and 40 interceptions.

In the ACC, he is third all-time in completions, tied for fourth in 300 yard passing games (11), sixth in pass completion percentage, and seventh in passing yardage.

He helped guide Duke to their first bowl game since 1994 in his senior season. Renfree was 297-for-441 with 3,113 yards and 19 touchdowns (with ten interceptions) in his final season. He was named a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete and the recipient of both the ACC’s Jim Tatum Award and the Pop Warner National College Football Award for his off-the-field accomplishments.

Bleacher Report believes the Falcons got one of the best long-term quarterback in the draft and a backup for starter Matt Ryan. They also believe Renfree will fit in nicely with their offense.

In surprising news, wide receiver Conner Vernon was not selected, despite being the ACC’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards. USA Today was also surprised by him not being drafted and put him on their list of top players not drafted. USA Today also points out that typecasting may also have been a factor.

However, shortly after the final name was called, Vernon signed a contract with the Oakland Raiders.

Vernon was one of Renfree‘s favorite targets. In his final season, Vernon caught 85 passes for 1,074 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Raiders are fairly inexperienced at the wide receiver position, so he has a chance at making the cut. They also drafted quarterback Tyler Wilson out of Arkansas and the two showed great chemistry in the 2013 Senior Bowl.

The ACC’s all-time leader in pass receptions and receiving yardage, Duke‘s Conner Vernon, is headed to play in the 64th annual Senior Bowl. He is the 21st player out of Duke to play in the Senior Bowl, but the first since 1999 (Chris Combs).

The game will be played on January 26th at 4pm ET at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama. It will be televised on the NFL Network.

In 48 career games as a Blue Devil, Vernon caught 283 passes for 3,749 yards and 21 touchdowns. Besides setting ACC records in receptions and receiving yards, he also set records for most consecutive games with at least one reception (48), most seasons with 50-plus receptions (four), and most seasons with 70-plus receptions (three). Over his career, he ranks 23rd in the NCAA in catches and 24th in the NCAA in yardage.

The senior captain set Duke’s single season record for catches with 85, which ranks fifth all-time in ACC history. He joined fellow receiver Jamison Crowder to set a school record for most catches by two teammates (161) and receiving yards by two teammates (2,148). Vernon, Crowder, and Desmond Scott set the school record for most catches by three teammates (227) and most receiving yards for three teammates (2,814).

Duke is the ONLY school in the country to have three players with at least 65 receptions on the season.

The Belk Bowl started out SO well for the Duke football team, as they quickly jumped out to a 16-0 lead. However, they made some mistakes and had trouble tackling in the open field. That led to a 48-34 loss to Cincinnati.

At the end of the first quarter, Duke led 16-3 and it looked as though they might blow the Bearcats out. It also looked as though they might pick up their first bowl victory since 1961. They scored on a rushing touchdown, a field goal, and a blocked punt. So their running game was working, as was their defense.

But fans should have seen the bad omen from the beginning when Ross Martin missed his first extra point of his career (and the season) on Duke’s first scoring drive (which was their first possession).

Then the Blue Devils did not score in the second quarter. They were hurt by Jela Duncan‘s fumble on the 1/2 yard line. Cincinnati went on to score two straight touchdowns on passes from quarterback Brendon Kay of 22 yards and 41 yards.

The first half came to an end in interesting fashion. Martin nailed a 53 yard field goal which would have given Duke the lead at halftime. However, Cincinnati was penalized prior to the snap and Martin‘s 48 yard FG was no good.

The Bearcats continued to take advantage in the second half of Duke’s failure to tackle in the open field. That is something that dogged the Duke defense all season long. On third and 12 in the Bearcats’ first drive of the second half, Kay hit Anthony McClung for 55 yards (which led to a field goal).

After Duke quarterback Sean Renfree was intercepted, Cincinnati tacked on more points. On their second play of the drive, George Winn rushed for a 46 yard touchdown to give the Bearcats a 27-16 lead.

But then Duke came back. Renfree connected with Conner Vernon for a 10 yard TD pass and found a wide open Isaac Blakeney in the corner for the two-point conversion to cut their deficit to 27-24.

» Continue reading “Mistakes Prove Costly as Duke Loses in Belk Bowl”

In the inaugural All-ACC Football Team voted on by the coaches, Duke football coach David Cutlciffe was named the Coach of the Year. Not surprising considering Duke is finally heading to a bowl game (the Belk Bowl) despite the injuries. I was a little surprised he took the honor as Duke is just 6-6 and have lost their last four games. He was on seven of the 12 ballots.

Duke wide receiver Conner Vernon was selected to the All-ACC first team. Fellow wide receiver Jamison Crowder and kicker Ross Martin were named honorable mentions.

On defense, corner back Ross Cockrell was named to the first team. Safety Walt Canty was named to the second team. Defensive end Kenny Anunike was named an honorable mention.

Punter Will Monday was named to the first team in terms of special teams.

For more on the entire selections, click HERE.

On Monday, the All-ACC teams were announced. Two Duke football players were named to the first team.

Cornerback Ross Cockrell leads the ACC in interceptions with five. He also has 63 tackles on the season, four for a loss.

Punter Will Monday leads the ACC and is ranked 14th nationally in punting average (44.12 yards).

*Two more Blue Devils were named to the second team.

Wide receiver Conner Vernon became the ACC’s all-time leader in pass receptions and receiving yards. He currently has 273 catches in 47 career games for 3,630 yards and 20 touchdowns. During the 2012 season, Vernon leads the team with 75 receptions. He has totaled 955 yards and seven touchdowns. It is the third time he has received this honor.

Safety Walt Canty, who is a co-captain, has 102 tackles on the season, 5.5 for a loss. He averages 8.5 tackles a game.

*Five more Blue Devils were named honorable mentions.

Defensive end Kenny Anunike has 42 tackles on the season, six for a loss. He also has five sacks.

Wide receiver Jamison Crowder has 70 receptions on the season for 1,025 yards and eight touchdowns. I am surprised that he did not at least make the second team.

Offensive guard Dave Harding started all 12 games and helped Duke to rank second in the conference in sacks allowed per pass attempt. Offensive tackle Perry Simmons also started all 12 games and helped Duke to an average of 31.33 points per game.

Kicker Ross Martin made 18-of-20 field goal attempts. He made all 44 of his extra points.

Duke will only lose two of the above nine players for the 2013 season (Vernon and Canty). For a complete list of all the ACC players honored, click HERE.

In a season that seemed so promising about a month ago turned bleak on Saturday afternoon, as the Duke football team ended their regular season with a loss at home to Miami, 52-45.

The Blue Devils are bowl eligible for the first time since 1994, but the season could have been so much more. Like win a game against a ranked opponent. Or some defensive stops. Or having better rushing games to take the pressure off of the quarterback and receivers.

They could not do that and finished the 2012 season losing four in a row and have not won since becoming bowl eligible. The Blue Devils are 6-6, just 3-5 in the ACC, which is fifth in the Coastal Division.

Senior quarterback Sean Renfree threw for a career-high 432 yards (36-of-59) and a career-high tying four touchdowns. But it wasn’t enough.

Miami led 28-10 at halftime and it looked as though Duke was in for another blowout loss. The offense kept coming up with plays, but the defense couldn’t hold down the Hurricanes. The two teams accounted for 1,229 total yards.

Miami’s freshman running back, Duke Johnson, rushed for a career-high 176 yards and three touchdowns. Duke, as a team, only rushed for 151 yards. Their leading rusher was Jela Duncan, who had 64 yards on six carries. 37 of those yards came on one play, which set up a Duke touchdown in the third quarter.

When Duke got back into the game, Renfree came up with big play after big play by connecting with his two favorite receivers, Jamison Crowder and Conner Vernon. On the first play after the defense stopped Miami on the one yard line in the fourth quarter, Renfree connected with Crowder for a 99 yard touchdown pass (he was not touched as he caught it at the 35 yard line). It is the longest play from scrimmage in Duke history.

» Continue reading “Duke Football Ends Season with Another Loss”

Duke receiver Conner Vernon became the ACC’s all-time leader in yards receiving when he passed former Florida State star Peter Warrick’s 3,517 yards. He had five catches for 38 yards, bringing his total to 3,520. Vernon set another record on the first play of the game, a two yard reception, which gave him a catch in 46 consecutive games.

Unfortunately, the Blue Devils lost at Georgia Tech, 42-24 to end their chance at playing in the ACC Championship Game. They have now lost three games in a row.

Duke had actually cut the deficit to 28-24 in the second half before the Yellow Jackets ran away.

GT quarterback Tevin Washington had a record setting day of his own. He set a school and ACC record for most career rushing touchdowns by a quarterback with 36. He carried the ball 19 times for 62 yards and a TD. Washington was 6-for-10 for 102 yards and three passing TDs. This came a week after he played just two downs.

Sean Renfree completed 24-of-36 passes for 198 yards and two touchdowns. He did throw an interception. Desmond Scott caught ten passes for 124 yards and a TD.

GT was just another team that shut down the Duke rushing game. They rushed for just 77 yards, compared to 330 for the Yellow Jackets. Jela Duncan was the leading rusher with just 39 yards (on six carries). Four GT players rushed for 60 or more yards (including the QB).

Duke finishes the regular season next Saturday at home against Miami.

The Duke football team FINALLY had a bye week on Saturday, so it is a great time to look back at their 2012 season to date.

Back on October 20th, the Blue Devils became bowl eligible for the first time since 1994, which was reason to celebrate. In that game, they beat rival North Carolina for the first time since 2003, another reason to celebrate. That win put Duke at 6-2 and in first place in the ACC’s Coastal Division. Yet another reason to celebrate.

Unfortunatley, the Blue Devils came back down to earth in their next two games against ranked conference opponents Florida State and Clemson. The disappointing part was that they were blown out from the beginning of both games.

Those losses dropped them to third place, so they have some ground to make up if they want to play in the ACC Championship. Next Saturday, they head to Atlanta to play Georgia Tech. Duke then finishes the regular season at home against Miami. If they win their final two games, they will finish with a 5-3 ACC record (8-4 overall). That could be enough to put Duke in the ACC Championship game against either Clemson or FSU.

Heading into Saturday’s matchup, the Yellow Jackets and Hurricanes are tied atop the Coast Division at 4-3. UNC dropped behind Duke after a loss to GT this past Saturday. In that game, GT scored 68 points (but allowed 50). Saturday’s game could be wild. Miami was upset by Virginia.

The Blue Devils are averaging 40.7 points per game, but are allowing 32.6 points. Rushing has been an issue all season for Duke. They average less than four yards a carry. Jela Duncan leads Duke with 41.3 yards a game and has four touchdowns (which is second on the team). Josh Snead gets 31.8 yards a game. Brandon Connette, who is their goal line rusher but has been injured, leads the team with five rushing touchdowns.

The warrior has been quarterback Sean Renfree, who has been battered all season, but keeps getting back up. He has completed 67.3% of his passes (200-of-297), but has thrown seven interceptions. He does however average 236 yards per game and has thrown 12 TD passes.

» Continue reading “Let’s Look Back and Ahead for Duke Football”

It’s not every day that you say there are highs related to the Duke football team. But in 2012, there are plenty of highs.

On Saturday night at home against rival North Carolina for the 99th career meeting, Duke became bowl eligible for the first time since 1994, as they beat the Tarheels, 33-30. It was the first time the Blue Devils had beaten their rivals since 2003 and first time in Durham since 1988.

Second place in the ACC’s Coastal Division was on the line as UNC traveled the short distance to Duke.

It was all Duke during the first half, as they led 20-6 at the half. The game was eerily similar to last week’s loss to Virginia Tech: complete dominance by the Blue Devils early and then it was all VT.

Then came the second half comeback by the Tarheels.

With a little more than three minutes to play, UNC quarterback Bryn Renner completed a pass to Erik Hightsmith. At the four yard line, Hightsmith fumbled. However UNC running back Giovani Bernard picked it up and ran it in for a touchdown. That gave the Tarheels the 30-26 lead.

You could hear a pin drop in Durham, as the Blue Devils fans were shocked.

But the Duke players were not rattled. In their longest drive of the season, quarterback Sean Renfree led the Blue Devils back down the field. On 4th and two with 13 seconds to go, Renfree connected with Jamison Crowder for the go ahead touchdown. Crowder was surrounded by Tarheels in the end zone, but was still able to corral the pass.

That set off a celebration in the stands and 13 seconds later, the Duke players were ringing the bell.

Renfree finished the game completing 23 of 36 passes for 275 yards and the one TD pass. He did throw an interception. Crowder finished with just five catches for 41 yards. But that one catch was the game winner.

The ACC leading receiver, Conner Vernon, caught six catches for 123 yards. Desmond Scott added three catches for 38 yards.

The Blue Devils rushed for a season-high 235 yards. Juwan Thompson carried the ball 11 times for 64 yards. Jela Duncan ran for a first half touchdown and finished with 75 yards (on 22 carries). Josh Snead rushed for 99 yards on 15 carries.

Bernard for UNC, their best player, finished with 24 carries for 160 yards and a touchdown. He also caught five passes for 68 yards.

Next up for Duke, they travel to Tallahassee to face Florida State next Saturday afternoon.

*As of me typing this, first place Miami was losing to FSU in the fourth quarter. If the Hurricanes were to lose, they would drop behind Duke in the Coastal Division. Meaning, Duke would be in first place at 3-1.

Duke wide receiver Jamison Crowder has been added to the Biletnikoff Award Watch List. The award is presented annually to the most outstanding receiver in college football by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation.

The sophomore has caught a team-high 46 passes for 588 yards and four touchdowns so far this season. He has topped 100 yards three times in 2012. Crowder has three touchdown passes of over 50 yards this season.

Crowder ranks among the top five in the ACC in pass receptions (fourth) and receiving yards per game (fifth).

He joins teammate Conner Vernon on the list. Vernon became the ACC’s all-time leader in receptions. This season he has 45 catches for 625 yards and five touchdowns.