Transformation at Duke continues
DURHAM (WTVD) -- Breaking new ground has been a continuous theme for the Duke football program under head coach David Cutcliffe.
Next step: End a quarter century bowl win drought. Wrestle away the Sun Bowl trophy along with... a new hair dryer? How one bathroom appliance factors in later.
A major determining factor as to which team wins their respective bowl game is motivation. From mid-December through the beginning of January, we'll be treated to 36 bowl games (not including the College Football Playoff). As an example of the "not so happy to be here" crowd (I'm guessing), I point to South Alabama and/or Bowling Green in the Raycom Media Camellia Bowl, hosted by (more guessing) the lovely metropolis of Montgomery, Alabama. Figure out which of these teams wants to be there to pad their respective 6th or 7th win and you've got bowl-pool gold.
Once again, Duke is the exception, as they have been for three years running now. The Blue Devils have won more games in the last two years (19), than any other two-year span in program history. They've been to the ACC Championship. They played Johnny Manziel (were other guys on that team?) yet lost in a good bowl game last year. What's left? WINNING in the postseason. Beating Arizona State in the Sun Bowl would give Duke back-to-back ten win seasons, a first in school history.
"They've [Seniors] played in two bowls, and lost both of them in close ballgames," David Cutcliffe said in his pre-bowl press conference. "They realize this is the swansong and it's what they'll remember. As great as this has been, they know what it feels to have the last two years, to have the last game we played be a loss."
The senior class, which includes Jamison Crowder, one of the best receivers in ACC history, wants to finish what they started.
"The motivation is to win. We've been to two previous bowls where we lost. Everybody knows that now it's about time to win one."
As I can personally attest to having lived in El Paso for a few years, the folks who run the Sun Bowl do a great job creating a special experience for the players. This year's gift "swag-bag" on the other hand won't make the fellas jump up and down.
It includes a backpack, fleece jacket, watch and, yes, a hair dryer, made by local company Helen of Troy. Let the re-gifting begin!
While 85-year-old Wallace Wade Stadium continues its $100 Million renovation, the program groundwork laid by Cutcliffe continues to strengthen.
Beating a Pac-12 team in Texas on national TV would be another steel beam ready for assembly.
