By: Charles Westfall

Sparse numbers in the stands didn't interrupt a lively, energetic scrimmage for the Blue Devils. Having attended several of these events over the years, I was pleasantly surprised by what unfolded. Duke was well-conditioned, fired up, and at times borderline sensational on both sides of the ball. The spectators saw a defense that was noticeably quicker to the ball. Certain individuals really stuck out. Vince Oghobaase and Cameron Goldberg looked like slimmed down middleweights and it was evident in how they moved in space. That hasn't always been the case in years past.
 
For the offense, Requan Boyette, Thad Lewis, and Brandon King highlighted the scrimmage. Boyette didn't waste time hitting the holes and his cuts were precise and purposeful. There were very few times in which he was stopped for no gain. Fred Roland and Jarrod Holt, in particular, were adept at opening up some nice holes against a defense that is noticeably quicker and able to swarm the ball. Lewis was plagued by some drops amongst the receiving corps, but he setup very well and delivered several catchable balls in forty degree weather. For the day, Lewis was 17 of 23 for 124 yards. Perhaps, King had the highlight of the day for the offense. Catching a swing pass, King lowered the boom on Jabari Marshall, causing Coach Scottie Montgomery to engage in a little gamesmanship by  picking up an imaginary shovel and heaping dirt onto the sideline. Zack Asack and Mike Cappetto also showed noticeable improvement as they led the 2nd and 3rd team offenses, respectively. Sheldon Bell, Eron Riley, Austin Kelly, and Ryan Wood led the receiving corps efforts with Bell leading the day with six catches for 60 yards. Riley nearly pulled in a nice alley oop pass in the end zone but it was deflected at the last moment.
 
On defense, Oghobaase, Kinney Rucker, Patrick Egboh, and Clifford Respress were able to pressure and dent the offense quite often. The linebacking corps also was effective. Michael Tauliili snared a pass and galloped into the endzone causing a Georgia Bulldog like  pandemonium on the defensive sideline. Marcus Jones has filled out and is better at shedding blocks. Randez James made his debut on the second team defense, and played well. Adrian Aye Darko and Jabari Marshall's ballhawking led to several incompletions in the secondary. Aye Darko later would deliver a crunching hit as a Duke receiver crossed the middle.
 
Special teams are more of a work in progress. Kevin Jones boomed a few nice punts, but there were some inconsistencies. Joe Surgan was 3 of 4 on the day, and proceeded to make 7 out of 10  at the end of the scrimmage. 
 
Throughout the scrimmage and the drills leading up to it, there was a noticeable amount of energy from the coaches. If there was a cross between being benign and maniacal, then this coaching staff has found it. The staff was glad to get their point across, but didn't mind singling out individuals for praise either. Coach Cutcliffe was imploring effort and execution from his charges all day. The theme that resonated throughout the day was to attack and finish. Finish a drill, finish a tackle, attack the gaps--those were the words that echoed on Wallace Wade.
 
One last thing worth mentioning. The drills that all of us have dreaded in our past sports lives were met with gusto. If the players didn't enjoy the conditioning drills, then you could've fooled me.
 
To all who couldn't make it, I would encourage you to come out on any of the designated days for scrimmages. You will have a blast.