For the first four weeks of the season, Duke's typically stagnant program had gained some life. Sitting pretty at 3-1, the Blue Devils had revealed new character-they were smart, conditioned players who knew how to finish a game.
Then they got off script.
Heading into the second half of the season Saturday at 3 p.m. against Vanderbilt (5-2) in Vanderbilt Stadium, Duke (3-3) has slipped in its last two games, looking decidedly unlike the Blue Devils that had garnered so much praise early on. After outscoring its first four opponents after halftime 76-14, head coach David Cutcliffe's crew has been walloped in the second half 24-0 and 35-14 in its last two contests.
Now, Duke heads to Nashville in hopes of righting the ship against a Commodore team that is enjoying one of its best seasons in school history. Vanderbilt began the season on a 5-0 tear that included upsets over SEC strongholds South Carolina and Auburn. The once-No. 13 Commodores have since tumbled from the polls after losses to a weak Mississippi State team and No. 9 Georgia.
With all that in mind, the Blue Devils are acutely aware of the kind of effort Vanderbilt will bring to this weekend's matchup. And with five of its last six games against teams that are ranked or have been ranked, Duke knows its road to its first bowl bid since 1994 will be treacherous.
"We've been talking about this since winter ball," safety Adrian Aye-Darko said. "Coach pointed out every time we worked out in the weight room or on the field, we're getting ready for the October-November stretch. We know every game we play from now on is a tough game, but a winnable game."
There were some questions about Duke's intensity and focus following last week's apparent lapse in the second half of a 49-31 loss to Miami. Cutcliffe was almost at a loss for words to describe his frustration after the game, and linebacker Michael Tauiliili gave a rousing speech during Tuesday's practice aimed at preventing players from slipping back into the program's losing culture of the past several seasons.
By Tuesday, it was clear the messages of both the coach and defensive captain had been heard loud and clear.
"It's scary in a sense because Coach is a straightforward guy. If he sees something, he's going to tell you," quarterback Thaddeus Lewis said. "We have to take strides. Don't talk about it, let's be about it. Never let the fight out of you even when things get tough."
During practice this week, Duke has been preparing for its second straight mobile quarterback playing out of a traditional offense, as opposed to the option-oriented attacks of Navy and Georgia Tech. Last week, Miami quarterback Jacory Harris, a tough runner with a live arm like that of Vanderbilt's Mackenzi Adams, exposed some of the Blue Devils' weaknesses, racking up 67 positive yards on the ground, including a 15-yard rushing touchdown.
Adams won the starting quarterback job over senior Chris Nickson this season, but head coach Bobby Johnson has been using them both enough that Duke has prepared to see either. Each quarterback is adept at avoiding pressure in the pocket, but Adams has the added ability of being able to break away from the rush and take off down field for big gains.
"We certainly have to find a way to contain the QB in this game," Cutcliffe said. "Both QBs can run and are effective throwing on the run."
On offense, the Blue Devils will emphasize the running game that showed life last weekend. After being held under 100 yards for three straight games-Duke only managed 34 against Georgia Tech-the Blue Devils rumbled for 142 yards against Miami.
By focusing on the run, Duke hopes to set up the passing game, which will be throwing into the teeth of one of the fiercest secondaries in the SEC without two of Duke's leading receivers. Starting wideouts Raphael Chestnut and Austin Kelly are both sidelined for leg injuries sustained in the loss to the Hurricanes and will be replaced by true freshmen Johnny Williams and Donovan Varner.
Led by first-team All-SEC cornerback D.J. Moore, the Commodores have snagged 13 interceptions through just seven games, helping them to a plus-nine turnover ratio.
Nevertheless, after a week of refocusing and gearing up for the second half of this season, Lewis remained positive that the Blue Devils can bounce back from their recent disappointments and keep their bowl-bid hopes alive.
"I believe it's very realistic," running back Clifford Harris said of the team's bowl chances. "A couple of games that we lost, they were real close. You still have to come out and play with intensity the rest of the season. It's definitely realistic."
Get The Chronicle straight to your inbox
Signup for our weekly newsletter. Cancel at any time.