Michael Carter: Duke Needs To Improve Tackling, Third Down
Michael Carter II came to Duke as a corner, eventually shifting to safety. When All-ACC corner Mark Gilbert went down to injury last season, Carter moved back to his old spot to fill in. On Saturday, against UNC, he had to make the switch again, filling in at corner with starter Josh Blackwell out. He had four tackles, including two solos, against North Carolina.
“I prepared well,” he said. “Coach (Derek) Jones and Coach (Matt) Guerrieri had me preparing well all week, taking reps at corner. I was ready to go. It was almost like I haven’t been gone and I’ve been playing there, still.”
Making the move easier was the fact that his replacement at safety, freshman Jalen Alexander, did well, getting six solo tackles and an interception.
“Jalen did a great job as a freshman, starting his first game in that atmosphere,” he said. “He stepped up big time, and we needed him. I’m proud of him, no matter what.”
The loss was tough for the team to get past.
“Everybody put their all into that game,” he said, “just in the locker room, the emotion everyone had. Right after, it was tough for everybody to swallow it. It was a heartbreaking loss.”
The team took a day to mourn, then looked forward.
“On Sunday, everybody had a positive mindset,” he said. “Going forward, we know we’ve got to get better and do a lot more to improve. It’s a new week. We’re moving on. We’ve got Notre Dame next week. So we’re focusing on right now.”
Duke has lost two straight. There are a few common themes in both losses.
“Tackling,” Carter said. “We always need to keep down our missed tackles. That’s the overall pattern. And getting off the field. Other weeks, third downs were really good.”
