August 17, 2009 issue (News)

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FOOTBALL

MEN’S BASKETBALL

Competition drives backfield trio Dawkins to wear No. 20 in 2009

by Scott Rich THE CHRONICLE

Duke’s offense last season featured a dynamic passing attack that often overshadowed a running game without a clear No. 1 back.

Now, however, with the return of last season’s leading rusher in sophomore Jay Hollingsworth, fifth year-senior Re’quan Boyette’s return from injury and highly touted prospect Desmond Scott’s arrival at Duke, a trio of backs could claim the spotlight this season.

And with the three backs fighting each other for playing time, the Blue Devils could field one of their deepest backfields in recent memory.

“That many guys competing for the job only makes the program better,” Hollingsworth said.

While Boyette is expected to claim the starting position after sitting out all last season with a knee injury, Duke will likely utilize all three backs in a committee similar to last season, when Hollingsworth, senior Clifford Harris and sophomore Tony Jackson—who was recently dismissed from the team for violating team rules—all had more than 75 carries.

Such a rotation fosters competition, making training camp all the more important. “[The depth chart] is going to be determined by us during camp—how you respond during camp, how you pick up the plays during camp, how you practice, how you condition, all those things are going to be up to the individual at that point in time,” Boyette said.

“And it’s a competition, but it’s a friendly competition because we all know we’re really good backs.”

Still, Boyette and Hollingsworth are fairly known quantities. Boyette led the Blue Devils in rushing in both 2006 and 2007 and said he expects to be “100 percent” by the time the season starts, while

by Andy Moore THE CHRONICLE

LAWSON KURTZ/CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO

Sophomore Jay Hollingsworth rushed for 399 yards last season and is listed as Re’quan Boyette’s backup.

Hollingsworth led last year’s backs in both rushing and receiving yardage.

The pair’s differing styles also complement each other on the field: while Boyette, who is 10 pounds heavier than Hollingsworth, is the stronger inside

runner, Hollingsworth is known for his speed and receiving ability out of the backfield.

Boyette has 30 catches in his three SEE FOOTBALL ON PAGE 16

Tailgate and Pauluspalooza As of this morning, we’re less than three weeks away from the start of college football season. Nationally, this means we’re three weeks away from Alabama vs. Virginia Tech, Georgia vs.

Oklahoma State Alex and Florida girls vs. Tim Tebow’s virginity.

Locally, I’m more excited for four things: 1. Pauluspalooza 2009! I don’t think most people realize how big a deal it is that the second-best Paulus brother ever to play quarterback for Christian Brothers Academy is returning to central New York to strap on the pads. Honestly, I’m not sure whether I realize how big a deal this is. But some guy made a shirt, so it must be a pretty momentous ocassion. To answer your questions: Yes, I bought the t-shirt. Yes, it was an impulse purchase.

No, it probably was not the best $16.49 I have ever spent. No, I don’t regret my decision at

Fanaroff

all. Yes, my man-crush on Greg Paulus embarrasses me a little bit, too.

2. Swine flu! Some of you may have seen the news that a substantial number of Duke Football players have already experienced flu-like symptoms. Some of them were quarantined to prevent the spread of swine flu to uninfected team members.

Head coach David Cutcliffe is on the record saying he washes his hands 38 times per day, minimum. Actually, I’m less excited for this than scared. Let’s move on.

3. Duke Football! And I’m only kidding a little bit. Every year, my friends and I set some absurdly low over-under for Duke Football’s total wins. Usually, it’s like 0.5 or 1.5 (depending on whether or not Duke had an FCS subdivision team on the schedule), but this year we went with 4.5. Partly, this is due to the fact that the schedule includes not one, but two, FCS teams—Richmond and N.C. Central.

But Duke should be favored in at least one other game this year—Army, on Sept. 12— and well, Cutcliffe’s hands are very clean.

4. Tailgate! As the Nick Horvath of sports columnists, I’ve basically been here forever.

And as someone who’s been here forever, I can tell you that the administration has been talking about changing or eliminating Tailgate almost since it first started. The complaint has always been that the event centered too much around alcohol and not enough around football.

Three years ago, Towerview ran a story subtitled “How students tried to save Tailgate and came up empty.” Of course, Tailgate has existed essentially unchanged since then. If anything, it has become more booze-fueled, more messy, more dangerous. Recently in The Chronicle, Vice President for Student Affairs Larry Moneta called Tailgate “an unsightly, irresponsible, unseemly environment.”

I find myself agreeing—and it’s not only because I’ve watched Dr. Moneta swing and miss an unfortunate number of times while SEE FANAROFF ON PAGE 17

The Cameron Crazies won’t have to worry about not seeing No. 20 on the court this season.

No, Elliot Williams is not reneging on his decision to transfer to Memphis. Instead, the number will be bestowed upon Andre Dawkins — formerly a top recruit from the class of 2010—now the newest Blue Devil, who will officially matriculate a year earlier than anticipated.

“It’s been exciting, knowing that the dream is so close,’’ Dawkins said. “And now, it’s really going to happen.”

The five-star shooting guard, ranked third in the class of 2010 at his position by Scout.com, confirmed to The Chronicle that he passed the final class he needed to graduate, English 12, last Monday and received his high school diploma Friday.

He added that he’ll wear Williams’ old number this season while playing under head coach Mike Krzyzewski.

“We are excited about Andre joining our program,” Krzyzewski said. “He is a very talented player and an excellent student. He worked hard throughout his high school career and this summer to put himself in this position. He will be an outstanding addition to the University and our basketball team.”

Dawkins was able to graduate a year early because he had already attended four years of high school—he went to a public school for one year before transferring to Atlantic Shores Christian School, where he was classified as a freshman again.

His family began exploring the option SEE DAWKINS ON PAGE 17

MICHAEL NACLERIO/CHRONICLE FILE PHOTO

Former No. 20 Elliot Williams transferred to Memphis, and Andre Dawkins will wear his old number.

THE CHRONICLE

MONDAY, AUGUST 17, 2009 | 21

Diversions Shoe Chris Cassatt and Gary Brookins

Dilbert Scott Adams

Doonesbury Garry Trudeau

The Chronicle What we’ll miss about summer: weekly production: .................................................................... hon crumpets at the B-mont pool: .........................................will, emme burning through gas money: ........................................toni, lindsey having Will do our work: ............................................ shuchi, blake the N&O, obvi: .......................................................................... gabe being on a boat: .................................................................. naclerio having MNac do our work: .................................. courtney, maddie listening to fobglish: ................................................................... lisa It’s always summer for Barb Starbuck: ..................................... Barb

Ink Pen Phil Dunlap

Student Advertising Manager: ..............................Margaret Potter Account Executives: ....................... Chelsea Canepa, Sterling Cross Liza Doran, Lianna Gao, Ben Masselink Amber Su, Mike Sullivan, Jack Taylor Quinn Wang, Cap Young Creative Services: ...............................Lauren Bledsoe, Danjie Fang Christine Hall, Megan Meza

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