Around ACC Spring Football: Duke

Editor’s note: This is the sixth of an 11-part series looking around ACC football this spring

Duke started spring practice on February 16 – David Cutcliffe’s crew wrapped up spring practice on March 26 – a full two weeks before any other ACC team.

You think he was ready to get his players back on the field?

There’s reason for excitement in Durham with the offense loaded with eight starters back – including two All-ACC wide receivers (one being Donovan Varner pictured left when Clemson last played Duke in 2008).

Offense has rarely been the problem though for Duke – and for the third time in as many seasons (thanks to Clemson this time), the Blue Devils have a different defensive coordinator.

With six starters back, the nation’s 108th best defense from 2010 went to work this spring, but due to injuries, weren’t at full strength through their spring game.

More on the Blue Devils...

Duke

Returning Starters by Position

Offense (8)

QB: 1 (11 career starts)

RB: 1 (16 career starts)

WR: 2 (45 career starts)

O-line: 4 (76 career starts)

Defense (6)

D-line: 2 (35 career starts)

LB: 1 (7 career starts)

DB: 3 (47 career starts)

Kicker/Punter (2)

PK: 1 (22 career starts)

P: 1 (12 career starts)

Outgoing Starters: 8

2010 Record: 3-9 (1-7 ACC)

Offensive Leader: WRs Donovan Varner and Conner Vernon – Cutcliffe’s pass-happy scheme is anchored by 2009 All-ACC WR Donovan Varner and second team All-ACC 2010 WR Conner Vernon with their 3,666 career receiving yards and 17 touchdowns.

Defensive Leader: S Matt Daniels – The senior safety is Duke’s leading returning tackler and in the top-5 in the ACC in that category over his career.

Key Issues This Spring: 1) Starting over again on D – With Marion Hobby’s return to Clemson, Duke replaced its defensive coordinator for the third time in three years…this time, from within by promoting Jim Knowles. Knowles has a tall task turning around one of the worst defenses at the FBS level in 2010.

2) Cutting down on the INTs – Incumbent QB Sean Renfree threw more interceptions (17) than touchdowns (14) in 2010. Cutcliffe made a point of saying that Renfree was making better decisions with the ball this spring.

3) Developing dual-threat QB system – Renfree uses the arm and backup QB Brandon Connette uses his legs – it was a system that had less success than failure in 2010, but the Blue Devils are intent on keeping it as a staple of the offense. Connette ran eight times for 34 yards and a touchdown in the Duke Spring Game.

More Around ACC Spring Football

Boston College

Florida State

Maryland

NC State

Wake Forest