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| | Monday, September 6 | |||||
| 1998 Record: 4-7 (2-6) | 1998 statistics | 1999 schedule Head coach: Carl Franks Returning starters: 21 (offense 9, defense 10)
Outlook Franks was an assistant to former coach Steve Spurrier for 12 seasons at Duke and Florida. He knows firsthand the excitement generated when Duke earned a share of the ACC title in 1989. And he can point to a 1994 bowl appearance as proof that the program is not as bad as two coaches and the recent 21-game stretch of league defeat suggests. Duke has enjoyed just one winning season in the '90s (8-4 in 1994) and expectations of closing out the decade with similar results are akin to replacing basketball as the common thread that runs through Durham. But with the new Duke yearbook titled "Airborne" and an ACC-best 21 returning starters, it's safe to say that Franks has plans to go nowhere but up. It just may a slow climb. OffenseThis group may not resemble the Fun 'n' Gun talent that the coach who authored the philosophy puts on the field at Florida, but Spurrier's protégé is going to spread the field and throw the deep. He'll employ former Duke signalcaller Ben Bennett, who rewrote the school's record books before graduating in 1983, to make the transition a smooth one. Bennett's hiring as quarterbacks coach was good news for strong-armed Spencer Romine, who edged Bobby Campbell for the starting job with a spring devoted to position fundamentals and learning a new system. The players who are most likely to thrive in the Franks regime are receivers Scottie Montgomery and Richmond Flowers. Last year they combined for 108 catches, 1,497 yards and seven TDs. This season they could establish themselves as the conference's best tandem this side of Tallahassee. Tight end Terrence Dupree is a target, but he might be more valuable as a run-blocker and pass-protector. The biggest player up front is 6-7, 285-pound tackle Wes White. Center Troy Andrew is emerging as a force Tailback B.J. Hill will propel the ground game. He was fifth in the ACC in rushing a year ago, running for 798 yards as a freshman. It's a good sign if: Montgomery and Flowers can create a double-threat.It's a bad sign if: The new offense doesn't take root. Defense Improvement on this side of the ball was a big reason that Duke was 3-3 at the season's midpoint. But the struggles the plagued the team through a disastrous 1997 were not completely vanquished, and the Blue Devils lost four of their last five games, where they allowed an average of 32 points per contest. Nevertheless, they finished fifth in the ACC in total defense, and the familiar 3-4 alignment will take the field with 10 returning starters. Linebacker is the team's strongest position, with four starters returning led by leading tackler Ryan Stallmeyer at one of the two inside slots, and Kevin Lewis, a 6-1, 225 pound senior who will man the outside. Up front, Chris Combs is back to build upon his first-team all-ACC selection. The coaching staff is expecting big things -- literally -- from 6-8, 270 pound Gannon Shepherd, who has the tools to be a dominant force. The secondary is among the most experienced in the conference, with three seniors and a sophomore who started a year ago, corner Ronnie Hamilton. The seniors are led by strong safety Darius Clark. This will be his fourth season as a starter. It's a good sign if: Nose guard Mike Steinbaugh emerges in his first season as a starter.It's a bad sign if: Youth at cornerback is exposed. Special Teams Sims Lenhardt gives Duke one of the best kickers in the country. Last year he was a Groza Award finalist after kicking four field goals of better than 50 yards. Junior Brian Morton will handle punting chores -- John Crowley |
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