Duke Offense Running On Empty

Three games into the season and it is very clear Duke Football is still a long ways away from being a contender.

Look no further than the Duke offense which has either been anemic or inconsistent in their first three contests.

In the season opening loss to Richmond, Duke put up 369 total yards of offense, most of which came through the air. Against Army a week ago Duke only mustered 236 total yards, and 14 of the team's 35 points were actually generated by the defense.

This week's lost to Kansas saw Duke post some of its best all-around numbers: 394 yards of total offense, including 299 yards through the air and 95 yards on the ground.

It was the best rushing performance of the season for Duke, but thus far this year Duke's offense has been a disappointment.

It starts, as any good offense does with the line. The Blue Devils offensive line, is young and inexperienced and it has showed. Starting quarterback Thad Lewis and backup redshirt freshman Sean Renfree have been running around all season to allude the rush.

Also the duo, and as of this week trio, of Duke running backs lead by senior Re'quan Boyette and sophomore Jay Hollingsworth have been unable to post a rush of more than 17 yards and neither has scored a touchdown.

The only rushing touchdown all year for the Blue Devils came on the second play of the game against Kansas when Lewis rushed for a 21-yard score. It was Duke's longest rushing play of the season and it was by the quarterback.

But as bad as the rushing game has been for Duke, the passing game for all its big numbers has been inconsistent.

Lewis, the starter coming into the season has looked shaky, and following his performance against Army some were talking quarterback controversy given the solid performance from Renfree.

Following Saturday's game at Kansas, there may be something to that. Comparing the two quarterbacks shows that Renfree has a leg up statistically on Lewis.

Renfree boasts a better quarterback rating, has thrown as many touchdowns (3), and has a higher completion percentage than does Lewis.

Call it beginners luck, blame it on Lewis missed time in camp due to the flu, the bottom line is that Coach David Cutcliffe's offense is revolving around the play of its quarterback and it may be time to start playing the best man.

Rome wasn't built in a day and Duke will not be a football success in a year. However, Cutcliffe is the offensive guru so it is a bit disconcerting to see the Blue Devils struggle so much on that side of the ball.

Duke's defense are probably the ones who want to see the offense succeed the most. They are young as well and certainly thin in the depth department and can ill afford to spend more than half a game on the field.

When Duke's defense is capable of making a stop, something they did early against Kansas, it would be nice for the offense to develop a sustained drive and at least get some points.

Instead Duke's offense has stalled out and is in desperate need of a shot of adrenaline.

Cutcliffe says he wants his best players on the field. One of them, at least from a fans perspective was thought to be true freshman running back Desmond Scott.

Scott was ranked as one of the highest multi-purpose backs in this year's freshman class, yet the speedy Scott has seen no playing time. I'm not sure if Cutcliffe is choosing to redshirt the freshman or if he is hurt, although no injury has been announced. But unless he isn't as good as projected it makes no sense why he would just sit.

Ultimately though it will take more than one player to get this offense crank started. Duke needs to be able to run the football and run it effectively. No running back has over 100 total yards on the season.

Hollingsworth at 69 yards and 4.1 yards per carry, has been the Blue Devils best runsher. Boyette who was coming off an injury last season, was thought to be the answer to Duke's rushing woes but hasn't materialized as an effective runner.

Even if Duke gets its quarterback situation stabilized soon, it will be up to the offensive line to protect whoever that is and to open up some holes for the running backs.

It is a tried and true method that if you want to take pressure off your quarterback and give your defense an opportunity to rest, then you have to have a running game.

If Duke can find one then they could still make this a successful season. If not it will be more of the same from the Blue Devils offense, which hasn't been much.