Duke lost another close one last Saturday, this time to Georgia Tech by a 38-31 score. A win at North Carolina this Saturday would be a big confidence boost going into next season.

“It’s obviously been a frustrating season for our squad, particularly for our seniors because we’ve played so many close games that we haven’t been able to win,” Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. “I think it obviously helps when you’re playing a rival team, but certainly our preparation is going to be critical playing a team as talented as North Carolina, and hopefully we get a few people back that have been injured.

QUESTION: You alluded to so many close games that you’ve been in this year that haven’t gone your way. Could winning a game like this to end the season be a springboard towards better things for next season?

COACH CUTCLIFFE: Well, there’s no doubt. I think your last game of the year, whether it’s a bowl game, which is what I’m more used to, but our last regular season game, the last game of the year, that taste is going to stay in your mouth.
Certainly it would be a great gift to our returning players, but certainly in my mind right now more importantly it would be a great way to send a small, but great group of seniors off. They have worked very hard, and it would be nice to see that occur. We’ve got a lot of work in the front office, but yes would be the answer.