Following Duke's 59-17 lost to Maryland Saturday, coach Carl Franks had a one-word explanation for the Blue Devil's troubles: youth.
"After watching the tape, we had too many guys who just didn't know what to do," Franks said. "We were not in position. We were not where we were supposed to be. Some of it I'm going to have to learn to accept because a lot of them are guys who haven't played before."
Franks feels the younger players on the field were not adequately prepared because they have missed practice time.
"[The young players] need to get as much practice as they can," Franks said. "Some of them didn't get as much practice as I would have liked last week. We had a few guys who were sick, and we have got some nagging injuries. We didn't get a lot of practice time that would have been beneficial."
Despite not having won a game this season, Franks is still confident in his younger players.
"They will get better and better," Franks said. "I do know that. I do know that they're good athletes. Once they learn what to do, what to expect [and] how to adjust, we'll be fine. We're moving where we want to, just not as fast."
With all the growing pains being shown by the younger players, it has been tough for the seniors. But senior defensive end Chris Porter is not feeling sorry for himself.
"It makes me think about my days as a freshman, and knowing how hard it is," Porter said. "It's very depressing not winning a game in 18 tries, but in that situation, you look for your coach's help and guidance. They've been there for us."
Franks also feels for his older players.
"I have a great deal of frustration for our older players," Franks said. "I wish that they didn't have to go through this. When there's not that many of them, it's tough on them."
Porter feels that a win would do wonders for the Duke football program.
"There are no words to explain how important it is to win one game," Porter said. "Everybody wants to win. We want to win, our fans want to win, our friends want to win. That's what we're concentrating on."
Both Porter and Franks feel confident that Vanderbilt will give the Blue Devils win number one.
"Watching film today, I feel as though we have a great opportunity ahead of us this weekend," Porter said. "We go into each game thinking we have the opportunity to win, but Vanderbilt especially. I think we match up well against them."
Franks is also very enthused about the game.
"It's going to be one heck of a football game," Franks said. "I guarantee you Vanderbilt feels the exact same way, and there's no reason they shouldn't. We better make sure we know what we're going to do, and come out with some intensity. I guarantee Vanderbilt is looking at this [game] as one they can win."
The team is in better spirits playing against a comparable foe, as opposed to a team like Maryland.
"We're more enthusiastic coming into this week," Porter said.
Kickoff against Vanderbilt is at 1:00 p.m. Saturday at Wallace Wade Stadium.
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