Duke’s Cutcliffe on football coach of the year watch list

Duke’s David Cutcliffe was named to the Paul “Bear” Bryant Coach of the Year Award Watch List, according to an announcement Wednesday by the American Heart Association and Marathon Oil Corporation.

This prestigious award honors excellence in college football coaching while raising funds to fight heart disease and stroke. Of the 22 coaches on the watch list, the winner will be announced Jan. 13, 2016, in Houston.

Cutcliffe has guided the Blue Devils to a No. 23 ranking in The Associated Press national poll along with records of 5-1 overall and 2-0 in ACC play. His defense has been one of the best in the country, ranking first in fewest first downs allowed (79), second in points per game (9.33) and passing yards per game (131.17) and fourth in total yards per game (252.83).

Duke: Senior kicker Ross Martin is one of a record number of nominees for The Wuerffel Trophy, according to an announcement by the organization. The Wuerffel Trophy is awarded to the Football Bowl Subdivision player who best combines exemplary community service with athletic and academic achievement.

North Carolina: Six Tar Heels are among the U.S. women’s national team squad set to play four test series matches against Great Britain over the next week. Former players selected for the trip are Jackie Briggs, Rachel Dawson, Katelyn Falgowski, Kelsey Kolojejchick, Loren Shealy and Caitlin Van Sickle. The U.S. team departed for England on Monday and will begin play Friday.

Duke: Former Blue Devils star Stefanie Fee is headed to England for a 10-day tour with Team USA.

Duke: For the first time in school history, the Blue Devils will be represented at the prestigious early-season dual of some of the nation’s top wrestlers as Conner Hartmann was selected for the Hire Heroes NWCA All-Star Classic. The 50th anniversary of the event will be Nov. 1 in Atlanta and will be televised on ESPNU.

Ranked third in both the InterMat and FloWrestling preseason polls, Hartmann will go up against No. 5 Max Huntley of Michigan. The dual will be the first meeting between the All-Americans.

From News Releases

This story was originally published October 21, 2015 at 7:30 PM with the headline "Duke’s Cutcliffe on football coach of the year watch list."