Duke's tailbacks versatile

DURHAM -- No one at Duke is making excuses for the Blue Devils' inability to run the football this season, especially not coach David Cutcliffe.

Yet while Duke (4-3, 2-1 ACC) is averaging a league-worst 74.4 yards a game, its tailbacks' versatility has played a role in a passing attack that ranks sixth in the nation (322.6 ypg).

"They are pass protectors. They are receivers," Cutcliffe said Tuesday. "They are picking up blitzes. They are screen runners. They are screen blockers. ... Our backs have been pretty special in that regard."

The Blue Devils second-year coach also agreed, though, that his tailbacks need to gain more ground.

"We're going to run the ball better," he said.

Injuries have slowed backs such as senior Re'quan Boyette and sophomore Jay Hollingsworth, but they have become the last line of defense on offense. Despite their size disadvantages -- at 5-foot-10, Boyette weighs 205 pounds while the 5-10 Hollingsworth weighs only 195 pounds -- they have held their ground and engaged linebackers and defensive ends rushing inside.

"They are doing a good job for something people aren't giving them credit for, and that's blocking, pass protection," said Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis, who ranks second in the ACC with 281.7 passing yards a game.

"Blocking, it's not just another job," Hollingsworth said. "It's part of the job description. It's what we do as well. We're not just runners. We do have other responsibilities."

The tailbacks' efforts in recent games, in Saturday's 17-13 victory over Maryland and in a 49-28 victory over N.C. State, made a difference for the Devils.

And as they look ahead to Saturday's game at Virginia (3-4, 2-1), with the opportunity to claim three conference wins for the first time since 1994, the Devils believe they have taken an area of disappointment and turned it into strength.

Cutcliffe said the role of the team's running backs has changed, in part because of their rushing difficulties and in part because of their passing strengths.

With a young offensive line still finding its way, the Devils certainly needed the backs to contribute as blockers, though they are often used in other ways.

In Duke's offensive scheme, running backs spread out wide as well as line up in the backfield. A screen pass, in the team's nomenclature, is often viewed as a running play.

"We openly accept that, because we feel we're the best athletes on the field," Hollingsworth said. "We openly accept that knowing that we're versatile and important to this team."

Both Boyette and Hollingsworth have 11 receptions this season, and rank as the fifth and sixth leading receivers on the team, respectively. Boyette also has one reception for a touchdown.

"Guess what?" Lewis said. "The hidden numbers are 50 pass attempts, two sacks [against State], 42 pass attempts, two sacks [against Maryland]. ... That lets you know they are doing something right in the protection. They're not just back there."

This week, Duke's running backs are preparing for a Virginia 3-4 base defensive scheme that might require a better balance of pass and run.

The Devils are led by freshman tailback Desmond Scott, who, in a mostly backup role, has 32 carries for 158 yards and a touchdown. Boyette, the team's starter, returned to practice this week after a knee injury kept him out of Saturday's game.

"There's going to come a point in the season where we ... have to run the ball because we're not going to be able to pass," Hollingsworth said. "There's probably going to come one game where we can't just pass the ball. We're going to be forced to run."

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