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Duke tweaks its special teams
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Published: August 21, 2008
Duke will turn to a veteran to solve its place-kicking problems.
Nick Maggio was named the kicker yesterday by Coach David Cutcliffe, who is in his first season at Duke. Maggio's accuracy and consistency helped him win the job ahead of senior Joe Surgan, the returning kicker from last season; sophomore Will Snyderwine and freshman Paul Asack.
"Throughout practice it has been really good," Cutcliffe said of Maggio's accuracy. "He's in the 85-percent range. You can live with that in field-goal range and he's 100 percent with extra points."
Cutcliffe decided also that Kevin Jones will be the Blue Devils' punter, Surgan will handle kickoffs and long field-goal attempts, and Chris Shannon will be the long snapper for kicks and punts.
Although kicking isn't an every-down job, it is clearly of great importance to Duke after two consecutive seasons struggling in that department. Duke made only three of 11 field-goal attempts last season and missed two extra-point kicks in 22 attempts.
The problems cost Duke an overtime loss at North Carolina in 2007's regular-season finale. Maggio missed a 40-yard field goal on the last play of regulation with the score tied 14-14 and then Surgan misfired from the same distance in overtime.
Maggio made two of five field-goal attempts last season with a long kick of 40 yards. Surgan made one of five with a long kick of 21 yards.
Cutcliffe said he considers strengthening the kicking game essential to the Blue Devils' success this season.
"For the first time I'm not going to say I'm pleased but I'm encouraged by our specialists and their work," Cutcliffe said.
■ Bill Cole can be reached at bcole@wsjournal.com.
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