More touches for DUKE
Expect freshman running back Duke Johnson to get more opportunities to make his magic Saturday in the home opener against Bethune-Cookman (2-0), coach Al Golden indicated.
“Yeah, I don’t think there’s any question,” the coach said. “We had 17 plays designed for him on Saturday. And to be honest with you, the game got out of whack. So I don’t think there is any question we want him to get more touches — and he’ll get touches in a variety of ways. Between kickoff returns and catching the ball and running the ball, I think he had over 200 yards the first game. Then, Duke didn’t play as well the second game. He had some drops. He’ll get over that, and we have to do a better job getting the ball in the backfield.”
Showing maturity
Golden believes his freshmen are maturing.
“The reality is that a lot of these guys are growing up before our eyes,” Golden said. “They’re not learning in cupcake games. They’re learning at Chestnut Hill [Mass.] in the ACC to open up the season, and then at Manhattan, Kan. So any mistake they make along the way is being compounded. … “They’ve been resilient. They’re staying confident.”
He cited Johnson, receiver Malcolm Lewis, right tackle Ereck Flowers, safety Deon Bush and defensive lineman Earl Moore.
• Golden said Olsen Pierre, Luther Robinson, Corey King, Jalen Grimble, Darius Smith and Moore will rotate in Saturday at defensive tackle.
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