DURHAM - The Duke football team hosts No. 6 Virginia Tech in its first ACC contest of the season at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday.
The Blue Devils (2-2) expect a tough afternoon game against the Hokies, a team picked by the media to capture the ACC championship and one that looked very capable of doing so in their lopsided victory over Miami.
Injuries have plagued the Devils early this season and coach David Cutcliffe announced on Tuesday that freshman running back Desmond Scott "tweaked" a hamstring in practice.
He said he did not have any other details about the injuries or if it will keep the Durham Hillside High graduate from practicing on Wednesday.
"We'll see how that plays out," Cutcliffe said. "I think he will be all right."
Duke senior running back Re'quan Boyette, who missed all of last season with a knee injury, missed the last game against N.C. Central with what the team announced as a leg injury. His backup Jay Hollingsworth has had an ankle injury slow him down.
Scott was called up partly because Cutcliffe said he was ready but also to help fill the void a running back.
Boyette and Hollingsworth both practiced near full speed and were in pads on Tuesday, although Boyette faced no contact.
Edward joined the News & Observer staff in 2004. He is a graduate of American University and Johns Hopkins University. He covers Wake Forest football and women's college basketball for the N&O. Edward is a native of Washington, D.C. He can be reached at 829-4781 or
Comments
Duke is preparing for VT?
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 18:29 — PuddentainHow? Is the guy in the black suit and top hat measuring the Duke players for their coffins? I hope Duke does well this year, but I don't think this will be the week they turn it around.
I'm for praying Rain!
Thu, 10/01/2009 - 15:32 — jeromfitzI know the Hokies going to poke holes through Duke and win by 30 pts or more. I'm praying for rain...LORD!!! SKill'em Hokies...!!!Let it Rain again..and watch the Hokies Massacre!!!
VT is beatable...
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 16:17 — willncsubut not by Duke.
i'd love for duke to pull
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 13:35 — izzykareemi'd love for duke to pull this out. I actually expect it to be close if Duke can somehow make Tyrod Taylor beat them instead of that brutal running game and stay away from Beamer-ball.
i'd put 8 men in the box on D and two TE's and try and run it. I haven't seen alot of VT but i think they might be susceptible to the run if duke would concentrate on trying to execute it.
Duke could win.
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 16:59 — JPDOhioAnd the Cleveland Browns are going to turn their season around and win the Super Bowl.
not saying...
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 18:26 — izzykareemthat Duke is going to win, only that i THINK they can keep it close. If they do a few doable things. Didn't see the Nebraska game but VT probably should have lost that game.
App State / Michigan, nuff said.
Duke may not even have the program that AppState does, but Goliath can be slain.
I know
Wed, 09/30/2009 - 21:17 — JPDOhioOne of the great things about college football is that huge upsets happen. Duke however hasn't shown anything to me this year that would indicate they have a snowball's chance against Va Tech.
GOOD LUCK DUKE! IT WILL BE A
Tue, 09/29/2009 - 20:25 — foreverdukeGOOD LUCK DUKE! IT WILL BE A TOUGH GAME FOR SURE. KEEP YOUR FAITH AND
PLAYING GOOD TEAMS WILL MAKE YOU BETTER . THE IMPROVEMENT IS ALREADY SHOWING. I'M PULLING FOR YOU AND HOPE NO MORE INJURIES. GO DUKE!