The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
COASTAL DIVISION RECAP
DUKE
Cutcliffe can’t wait o kick off camps
■ Season opener: North Carolina Central at Duke, 6 p.m. Sept. 2, ESPN3
Coach David Cutcliffe is hoping he can move past a “nightmare” during preseason camp.
The Blue Devils managed an ACC-low three made FGs last season. Starter A.J. Reed made 3 of 10 field goals, with none longer than 38 yards.
Duke was also near the bottom of the league in net punting.
Cutcliffe said the Blue Devils have “always been great in the kicking game, and our specialists have been outstanding, but a year ago, it was somewhat of a nightmare.”
GEORGIA TECH
Wide receiver enjoys pportunities
■ Season opener: Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic: Tennessee vs. Georgia Tech (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta), 8 p.m. Sept. 4, ESPN
Georgia Tech has long been known as a run-first team under Coach Paul Johnson. That doesn’t seem to bother Ricky Jeune.
The WR said “when you are playing in an offense like this, you get a lot of one-onone coverage — and that is a wide receiver’s dream.”
And when the Yellow Jackets run the ball? Jeune said he takes pride in his ability to block, adding, “You just have to be committed and ready to help out.”
MIAMI
ight end continues o play big role
■ Season opener: Bethune-Cookman at Miami, 12:30 p.m. Sept. 2
Miami has produced some top-level TEs over the years, including Greg Olsen, Jimmy Graham, Kellen Winslow II, Bubba Franks, Jeremy Shockey and, most recently, David Njoku.
Second-year coach Mark Richt believes he has another good one in Chris Herndon.
Herndon had 28 receptions for 334 yards and two touchdowns last season while playing in the two tight end set opposite Njoku, who was selected 29th overall in this year’s NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns. Njoku became the fifth tight end in Miami history to be drafted in the first round.
Richt said he has a lot of faith in Herndon and believes “he’s one of the better tight ends I have been around.” The coach said Herndon is very physical at the point of attack and has good ball skills.
NORTH CAROLINA
No crossing that white line for coach
■ Season opener: California at North Carolina, 12:20 p.m. Sept. 2, ESPN3
Coach Larry Fedora can be emotional and animated on the sideline during a game.
But Fedora knows he will have to behave himself after a new NCAA rule passed that will penalize coaches 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct for crossing the white lines to argue a call.
Fedora said he doesn’t believe there is any reason a coach should show up an official any more than an official should show up a coach.
“We wouldn’t allow a player to show up an official, so why allow a coach to do so?” Fedora said. “If you look at the NFL, I think the head coaches there do a great job of controlling themselves in those situations, and I think it’s something that needed to happen at our level.”
PITTSBURGH
Looking forward to playing Syracuse
■ Season opener: Youngstown State at Pitt, 1 p.m. Sept. 2, ESPN3
CB Avonte Maddox is looking forward to a rematch with Syracuse. Although the Panthers won the game 76-61, he was embarrassed the Panthers gave up so many points.
Maddox: “We’re not going to let them score 60 points this time.”
The cornerback said he and his teammates will watch film and “see what we have to do, make our corrections and make a better game of it.”
VIRGINIA
Joining new team has been gratifying
■ Season opener: William & Mary at Virginia, 3:30 p.m. Sept. 2, ESPN3
Coach Bronco Mendenhall surprised many when he left BYU after 11 seasons to take over a Virginia program with 15 wins in four seasons.
Virginia went 2-10 in Mendenhall’s first season with one ACC win. By comparison, Mendenhall never won fewer than six games and had five seasons with at least 10 wins at BYU.
Still, Mendenhall said it was “gratifying, invigorating, challenging all at the same time.”
VIRGINIA TECH
It’s time to have fun ‘with stuff like this’
■ Season opener: West Virginia vs. Virginia Tech (FedEx Field, Landover, Maryland), 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3, ABC
WR Cam Phillips certainly made himself stand out.
The senior put together quite a look for interviews at ACC media days. There was the bronze, double-breasted velvet jacket. There were the flip-up shades over round eyeglass frames. And there was the ankles-exposed sockless look to his shiny black shoes.
“I just like to have fun with stuff like this,” Phillips said. “I think it’s a way to show my personality, show fans and other players I’m a laid-back and cool, fun guy. I’m having a great time at this event.”