David Cutcliffe: Daniel Jones was the best scout team quarterback in history

Duke coach talks Pitt, Jones

David Cutcliffe discussed the upcoming Pitt game in his weekly press conference.

Pitt didn’t start quarterback Kenny Pickett last week, against Delaware, and Cutcliffe was asked how it would be different with the backup in.

“The backup does the same thing, just doesn’t do it quite as well,” he said. “I expect we’re gonna see Kenny.”

Cutcliffe also praised the Pitt defense.

“They do a great job,” he said. “They’re different in third down than first or second down. They rotate a lot of players. They’re fierce competitors. If you ever watch Pat Narduzzi on the sideline, you’ll see a fierce competitor. When I’m not playing them, I like watching them play.”

Cutcliffe also discussed quarterback Quentin Harris and linebacker Koby Quansah, two fifth-year players who waited their turn. Cutcliffe said he saw their potential even when they weren’t playing in games.

“When you watch young people and watch how they prepare, you’ll learn a lot,” he said. “Watch how they prepare, you’ll know whether you’ve got a winner or not. One of my jobs is I watch all of them prepare. I watch all of practice tape. I watch the scout team. I can tell what we’re gonna get.”

“Daniel Jones was the best scout team quarterback in history,” he continued. “I knew without a doubt what was getting ready to happen. He was the best. He had a tight end named Daniel Helm who was sitting out (due to transfer rules). So, wow! I knew every day. I remember getting a picture made with that show team in New York, when we were up there for the bowl game. I didn’t care about getting a picture with any group other than them, because they’d had a heck of a year.”