Duke's Scott gets call

DURHAM -- ******

CORRECTION

On Page 3C of the Sports section Wednesday, the headline on a story about Duke's football team incorrectly reported Desmond Scott's place on the Blue Devils' depth chart. The freshman tailback has not been promoted to a starting position but is expected to get his first playing time of the season Saturday.

****** Duke freshman running back Desmond Scott will get his first playing time of the year Saturday, a move that the Blue Devils hope breathes life into their football team.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe announced the news of the Durham Hillside High graduate's promotion Tuesday. One of the Blue Devils' highly touted freshmen recruits, Scott had been practicing with the offense's third-team unit since the start of the season.

"He's gotten a lot better as a young player," Cutcliffe said. "He's understanding what we want from him now, working like he's supposed to work."

Irritated with Duke's poor performance in its first three contests, Cutcliffe said the Blue Devils (1-2) "are not a good team" that has not been able to translate strong practice play into consistent game-day play.

As the Devils prepare to host N.C. Central on Saturday, Cutcliffe praised Scott for his work on the scout team.

Cutcliffe said he was moving the 5-foot-10, 185-pound back into the first- and second-team rotation because of his practice performances, particularly last week when he was named the scout team's player of the week.

"That wasn't an accident," Cutcliffe said. "He went over there and earned it. And that's where he was showing me he's anxious to want to play."

Scott entered Duke rated by some as North Carolina's top high school running back, rushing for 4,690 yards in his career. A hard runner with speed, he is able to hit the corners. He is also as determined to run between the tackles.

While complimenting his effort during preseason camp, Duke coaches also said Scott needed to learn how to compete as a college athlete. Because of those early growing pains, he was not included on the team's two-deep chart.

Ankle injuries to starter Re'quan Boyette and backup Jay Hollingsworth cleared a path for Scott's opportunity, but they do not account for the entire story.

Cutcliffe was not going to promote Scott until he proved he was ready, even if the Blue Devils, who have rushed 81 times for only 184 yards through three games, have yet to establish a forceful running attack.

"I told him to start. I'm not going to play a player who is not ready for any reason," Cutcliffe said. "For any reason. I don't bring one out of 'redshirt' because we don't have enough. I'd rather play with 10 than play with 11 and one absolutely not be ready.

"He's ready."

Scott's ascent comes at a notable time for the Durham native. He selected Duke over Rutgers because the school was close to home, allowing his parents and supporters a short drive to Wallace Wade Stadium.

At starting quarterback, the Eagles feature sophomore Michael Johnson, another Hillside graduate. Johnson was a senior when Scott transferred to the school from Southern High.

Asked what he expected Scott to do with the opportunity, Johnson said, "No doubt that he's really going to cherish this opportunity. ... He's a Durham kid. He grew up around here. There are going to be so many people from the community out here.

"He's going to love the limelight he gets when he gets the ball."

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