Then, two weeks ago, Duke football coach David Cutcliffe switched the 5-foot-10, 185-pound sophomore to running back -- right out of the blue.

Now it looks like a magical move. Jackson darted to daylight over the left side and streaked 75 yards down the sideline for a touchdown, producing the biggest play of Saturday's spring game.

Until then, Blue Devils fans knew a lot more about Michael Jackson than they did about Duke's Jackson.

"We needed a spark of speed on offense; at this time it looks like a pretty good move,'' Cutcliffe said after watching Jackson's White team defeat the Blue squad 14-3.

"Tony appears to have a little extra burst and catches the ball well. This will probably be a permanent move."

Jackson, who finished with 85 yards rushing on five carries, isn't a novice ball carrier, having been a breakaway back at Bishop Kearney High in Rochester, N.Y.

While "doing good" on defense, Jackson says he's comfortable at his running back position. He needs time to learn all the plays and wants to get bigger.

Extra strength would help on pass blocking, but his speed is sufficient. The TD sprint was a blur applauded by a "record" spring-game crowd of 3,200 at Wallace Wade Stadium. That dash came a few days after Re'quan Boyette broke a 65-yard run in a scrimmage. It's backfield swiftness that Cutcliffe hopes will help Duke mount a much-needed ground game.

On Saturday the equally divided teams generated sparse scoring in a 40-minute game partly because offensive plays were limited and punt returns weren't permitted.

The Blue team's points came on Nick Maggio's 37-yard field goal, which followed Michael Tauiliili's fumble recovery.

And then the White team tacked on a late TD when defensive lineman Wesley Oglesby rumbled in from the 7 after gathering a fumble.

But it was evident by the number of fans and the blaring pep band that Cutcliffe is already renovating the football atmosphere here. And the coach liked the enthusiasm.

"I would give the atmosphere an A,'' he said, while also evaluating other areas.

DEFENSE

The Blue Devils employ a 4-3, zone-blitzing scheme, and the pad popping was impressive at times, including when Blue linebacker Marcus Jones cracked White receiver Garrett Utt after a catch for a 1-yard loss.

"I saw a number of big hits, but I want to see more of it,'' Cutcliffe said. "We need to become more physical. "

QUARTERBACKS

Starter Thaddeus Lewis, playing for the White, went 8-of-13 for 53 yards, and the Blue's Zack Asack hit on 14 of his 17 passes for 107 yards. Third-string quarterback Mike Cappetto was 5-for-9.

"Thad threw crisply; his accuracy was good, his comfort level good,'' Cutcliffe said. "Zack would have liked to have a couple back. [But] we have a lot of versatility ...

"They can make plays with their arms, their feet, their minds. They are smart guys."

KICKING

This has been a trouble spot, but it was "solid" Saturday.

Maggio converted his lone field-goal attempt, Joe Surgan made both extra-point attempts and Kevin Jones averaged 46.4 yards on five punts, including 51- and 49-yarders.

Still, these positions aren't expected to be settled until the fall.

STAT CHAT

The Blue's Eron Riley led the receivers with six catches for 49 yards. ... The White's Eddie Morgan (seven) and Vincent Rey (six) topped all tacklers.

WHAT'S AHEAD

While the spring is singing for the new Blue Devils, improving conditioning and sustaining intensity in the offseason is crucial, Cutcliffe said.

The 2008 schedule, which begins with home games against James Madison, Northwestern, Navy and Virginia, gives Duke a chance to build early momentum. In November, the opponents are Wake Forest, N.C. State, Clemson, Virginia Tech and North Carolina.

That's motivation to keep working.