Duke concludes 2-a-day practices as opener looms

When nightfall descends upon the practice fields adjacent to Wallace Wade Stadium this evening, Fred Goldsmith and his team can breathe a sigh of relief.

Two-a-days will be over for the football team.

Barring any setbacks today, Duke emerges from the first two weeks of training camp relatively healthy and in good shape as the season opener approaches next Saturday against Western Carolina. Goldsmith actually began tapering off morning practices Wednesday as he shifted focus to the late-afternoon session and actual preparation for the Blue Devils' first game.

"It's probably the best preseason practice sessions we've had in the last four years, or since I've been here really," Goldsmith said. "I finally feel we have continuity; if you ask something you don't see all these eyes staring at you like 'What are you talking about?' There's enthusiasm, there's leadership and I feel good about it."

Indeed, Duke's stronger veteran presence and increased continuity, particularly on defense, have been evident at practice. Just as important, the Blue Devils have much more depth than they did a year ago, giving the younger players a chance to grow instead of being forced onto the field as some of the current starters were a few seasons ago.

At quarterback, Spencer Romine has emerged as Duke's clear starter. The sophomore was the starter coming out of spring practice and has continued in that role, with Bobby Campbell and Kevin Thompson as the second- and third-string passers, respectively.

"Spencer's a real intelligent kid," left guard Lennie Friedman said. "He's got a mastery of the offense a lot better than he did last year, so his checks are a lot smoother and he's a lot more confident with what he's doing."

The Blue Devils' biggest concern as the season approaches is the condition of their top two tailbacks, Letavious Wilks and Duane Epperson. Epperson strained a hamstring, though he returned to practice yesterday after missing over a week. Wilks, however, partially separated his left shoulder last Thursday and might not return in time for the opener.

Other notes from practice:

• Sophomore Ben Erdeljac applied for a medical redshirt after suffering a severe bone irritation on the underside of his left knee cap. The receiver, who caught four passes last season and was listed as a second-team flanker early in training camp, would have missed the entire season due to the injury.

• Quarterback D Bryant, a true freshman, has displayed a strong arm during practice, but Goldsmith indicated the highly touted Detroit native will likely redshirt this season and begin challenging for the starter's job as soon as the spring.

• Both tight ends, Terrence Dupree and Mike Hart, performed extremely well during Saturday's controlled scrimmage. Dupree made a one-handed spinning catch that he turned into a touchdown, while Hart also caught a few passes and blocked well.

"Both tight ends caught the ball and ran with it really well," Goldsmith said after the scrimmage. "We're real pleased with that."

On the first play of the scrimmage, Romine connected with Richmond Flowers on a 65-yard touchdown pass.

• True freshman Ronnie Hamilton has drawn a lot of attention thus far for his play at cornerback. Hamilton is slated as second-string behind Alonzo Moyer at left corner, and he has been sharing punt-return duties with Reco Owens.

"It's tremendous to see a freshman come in playing like that," fellow cornerback Lamar Grant said. "It's good to see that Ronnie Hamilton's at a level where if we need, he can come out there and relieve somebody or even start if somebody goes down. He's making plays and that's all we do on defense."

• Sophomore Nick Hartofilis moved from quarterback to receiver last week. Hartofilis, who also plays men's lacrosse, has seen time on both the second and third teams.