At the last football press conference of the year Monday, coach Fred Goldsmith talked briefly of the team's 41-38 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday and praised his players for what he termed an almost miraculous comeback. The coach mentioned the strength of character his team showed by rallying from a late 38-11 deficit to score four touchdowns in the fourth quarter, before eventually falling 41-38.
"I was pleased that we had the heart to come back," Goldsmith said. "From the Northwestern game on, this is a football team that has always believed that they can win. They've shown a lot a character, and there is a lot of ability there. We've had some unfortunate things happen, but most of it is going to work together for good."
Goldsmith seemed upbeat about the play of this year's squad, and positive about the future despite admitting that he felt very frustrated with the tough losses in several winnable games.
Rather than focusing on next year's prospects, however, Goldsmith quickly turned to the task at hand-addressing the challenge that Duke faces this week when it takes on eighth-ranked North Carolina on the Tar Heels' home turf in Chapel Hill. The coach pointed out the distinct nature of the game and rivalry.
"I've got a bigger interest in this one," Goldsmith said. "Over the course of the season, I'll try to set aside a little extra time each week to do a little of the busywork to prepare for this game. We prepare more at length for this game all year than for any other ballgame."
When asked whether it would be difficult to motivate a team that has no postseason bowl chances in a game of this magnitude, Goldsmith didn't hesitate in responding.
"If it is a problem with anyone on our football team, then they don't belong here," he said. "Our players will come to play."
In lieu of the upcoming game on Saturday, Goldsmith made an unusual move by cutting the media off from all interviews with players for the remainder of the week. This move was probably motivated by the fact that in past years, brash statements made by Duke or Carolina players have had a way of winding up on the bulletin board of the opposing teams' locker room. Goldsmith seemed intent on avoiding something similar this year.
"I think we just need to take care of business," he said. "Let's not talk about it all week."
Goldsmith was determined not to get into a war of words to give any more incentive to a tough bowl-bound North Carolina team that is ranked eighth nationally in both polls. Absent from the press conference was senior wide receiver Corey Thomas, who is known for his colorful comments and flashy style. Senior quarterback David Green answered some questions and restated coach Goldsmith's philosophy.
"Coach means business," Green said. "He doesn't want anything that could spark them or give them another edge over us." He added half-jokingly, "That is why Corey (Thomas) is not here today."
To close out the press conference, Goldsmith reiterated his desire to concentrate on the actual game and not the weekly hype that usually surrounds the big contest between these two long-time rivals.
"The time this game will be played is Saturday, and that's when I intend my players to play the football game," Goldsmith said. "I don't want them baited into playing the game on the radio and in the newspapers between now and Saturday. Let our feet, and our hands and our hearts do the talking on Saturday."
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