DRINKING STRAIGHT FROM THE BOTTLE YALL.
WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
I MEAN MY LORD. MY DAMN LORD. WHAT THE HELL WAS THAT GAME? HOW ON EARTH AM I SUPPOSED TO COLLECT MYSELF AFTER THAT GAME? HOW?
[attempts to collect self]
I really cant even begin to process this game independent of processing the entire season, but I'm going to do my best.
On a night where our defense couldn't do anything right and relied on our offense to do everything... our defense ended up coming up with the win. Holy hell, what a game. What a damn game.
Before I get started, huge props to Coach Cutcliffe and the Duke Blue Devils. Fantastic game and fantastic season.
Let's go.
Defense
WELP.
What can really be said about this defensive performance? In my humble opinion (and I think you need to correct me if I'm wrong in the comments), this performance was as much on the coaching as it was execution. Three man lines on third down, leading to no pressure, leading to Duke converting every third down under the sun. DBs playing 10 yards off the LOS on short yardage. I don't get it, and much of that is coaching.
I caution you though on being too concerned because the future is bright. The defensive line will get better and we have budding future stars in Golden and Hall. We'll get better.
There were some poor individual performances by a couple of our safeties (one in particular who is great 10 yards in but terrible beyond 10 yards and another who struggles with angles) and we definitely missed Claiborne in the middle... but F it. It's New Year's Eve and WE JUST WON THE DAMN BOWL GAME.
/takes a swig from champagne bottle /dances like p diddy waving said champagne bottle.
Offense
What more needs to be said about #2? I would dare argue that this was the best game he's ever played. 30/38 for 382 and 11 carries for 73 yards. Incredible. The best I will ever see.
WRs played well today. Evans aside, the story of this season has been the emergence of Derel Walker. Man I wish he wasn't a senior because he'd be the go-to guy next year. What a stud.
RBs had a good game as well...and I will argue with you until I'm blue in the face that Tra Carson has the ability to be an every down back as evidenced by this run.
I mean how many guys that big can turn the corner like that? How many can get there with that speed? I know that we lose the GOAT next year, but we have three players like Tra who can carry the ball.
The OL asserted themselves late in the first half and owned the LOS. Johnny had all the time in the world to do what needed to be done.
Let's talk briefly about Spav. I was impressed. Impressed by his ability to let Johnny be the focal point but not be the only person who wins the game for us. I was impressed by how he involved everyone including PASSES TO CAM DAMN CLEAR. I MEAN HOLY CRAP. Spav is gonna be a good one. What are yall's thoughts?
That's all I can coherently put together. To put things into perspective, Duke never punted this game...and still lost. What a damn game. What a damn game.