David Cutcliffe's sideline advice to team: "There are no negatives tonight"

Coach knew Duke would find footing in Blacksburg

Duke started off slow on Friday night, but David Cutcliffe wasn’t overly concerned.

“The third game maxim we believe in is, ‘If at first the game and breaks go against you, don’t let up. Put on more steam,’” he said.

Duke found a way to steam past the Hokies, 45-10, impressing their coach.

“We played as good as we’ve played in stretches today,” he said.

The first quarter, when Duke couldn’t move the ball at all, was due mainly to field position.

“The field position was so bad early,” he said. “It makes it hard to find your rhythm and be yourself. When you go three-and-out, it can balloon. Thank goodness it didn’t balloon.”

Cutcliffe knew the team had energy to get things going eventually..

“I knew the energy was there,” he said. “When we were in the hotel, the room was filled with energy. So I never really fretted. I saw Deon (Jackson), and we weren’t running the ball well. I said, ‘Hey, brother, keep doing what you’re doing.’”

His sideline advice for his players was to stay positive.

“I told them, ‘There are no negatives tonight,’” Cutcliffe said. “Go play. You’re on the road. If you start focusing on negatives in Lane Stadium, you’re not going to play well. We’re going to focus on moving forward.”

Cutcliffe also credited his quarterback for the turnaround.

“Hats off to Quentin Harris,” he said. “He can manage all the things we ask. I think, when he watches the tape, he’s going to see some things he’d like to have back for some big throws. He went underneath a lot, and I’m never going to complain about that. But I’m excited to see what he’s going to see. I’m going to watch the film on the bus on the way back, so I’m going to be one step ahead of him.”