2020 Game Recap – That Was Ugly

Duke lost to UNC; you already know that. Fortunately for my mental health, I missed the radio and television broadcasts because of a kid’s soccer game and an end of the season celebration. What did I miss? A defense that gave up 21 points in each of the first two quarters. Ugly would be a kind word. Pathetic would be more accurate. Disgrace is probably the best description.

The final score was a horrendous 56-24. Last season, a less-talented Blue Devils unit came very, very close to beating UNC. The change in the score means that one team is headed in the right direction. And that team does not play home games in Durham. After the game Coach Cutcliffe finally acknowledged that things are moving in the wrong direction. He specifically stated that the program is at a low point. It’s good to know that he’s finally seeing what everyone else has seen since last year’s UNC game.

While I was lucky not to have seen this utter disaster, the one constant from the folks I followed online to get updates about the game was that the team looked flat, disinterested and clearly didn’t care. I think Cutcliffe got the message the team was sending when he pulled Chase Brice and gave Gunnar Holmberg a chance (I am speculating that the team quit on Brice. I don’t know that, but the statements from former players on Twitter support this assessment).

Why it took Cutcliffe so long to make a QB change is beyond me. I was concerned that a guy who could barely complete a pass against Charlotte would struggle against UNC. I was right; and I’m not at all happy about it. Why not play Gunnar earlier? Why not give him an opportunity? Brice hasn’t played a good game yet. Why throw him out there again and again? Chris Katrenick already left. Do you want to risk another QB leaving?

Holmberg managed to play well despite being put in a terrible situation. If he doesn’t get the start next week, Cutcliffe should be fired. You know what you’ll get from Brice and it isn’t good. In fact, it’s terrible. Give Gunnar a chance to show what he can do. It’s long past time. He looks better at everything – poise, accuracy, running and decision-making. Make. The. Change.

Moving on …

In looking at things from a distance, a couple things become clear. The first thing is that the ACC has moved ahead of Duke. Wake is better, NCSU is better and now UNC is better. A lot better. The second thing is that this team is sloppy, undisciplined and doesn’t get up for each game. The final, and most important, thing is that without cupcakes on the schedule, Cutcliffe is being exposed. Lacking 3 or 4 guaranteed wins, we’re seeing just how bad the Blue Devils really are. Duke can’t compete with the better or even the middle of the pack teams. Every Syracuse wasn’t an easy win. We’re stuck in neutral or trying to pop the clutch. Whichever metaphor you use, there isn’t much progress.

Can the Blue Devils improve? I don’t know. I think that Holmberg may be able to turn this team around. He’s mobile, more accurate and I get the sense that the team wants him to play. I also get a sense that he’s going to make the most of this opportunity. If he plays well, he is the clear number one and Brice should be sent back to Clemson. Make Diamont the number two. If Gunnar doesn’t play well, no one will blame him. It’s so late in the season that he can’t be blamed for struggling. This is a good situation for him. Let’s hope he makes the most of it.

The final thing I want to say is that the last two seasons, starting at last year’s UNC debacle, has seen Duke come full circle under Cutcliffe and land back in Carl Franks and Ted Roof territory. These teams are just as bad as those teams were. And while Franks and Roof had excuses (poor assistant pay, lack of facilities, no commitment from the school), Cutcliffe has zero. None. His teams are more talented, the assistants are paid well and the facilities are outstanding. The stadium was renovated. There are no excuses.

What the Blue Devils returning their start of the century performance tells us is that Cutcliffe isn’t up for the job. And that’s okay. Like Marcus Aurelius noted, “Everything, a horse, a vine, is created for some duty.” Cutcliffe’s duty was to rehabilitate Duke football. He’s done his duty. It’s time for someone else to take the ball from here.