Quick Hits from Lunch with Cut

Head coach David Cutcliffe held his weekly press conference today. Here are some highlights from his 30-minute Q&A.

Running back Desmond Scott is "questionable to doubtful" for Saturday's contest with Stanford.

Scott left the Richmond game with a leg injury and was seen on crutches in the fourth quarter. Scott, a highly-touted recruit who started all but one game last season, averaged 7.3 yards per carry on 11 attempts against the Spiders. With sophomore back Josh Snead still sidelined, the onus will fall on sophomore Juwan Thompson, who impressed against Richmond, to carry the load against the Cardinals Saturday. If Scott does not suit up, look for senior Jay Hollingsworth to spell Thompson occasionally.

"Speed is the greatest weapon you have in sports."

Coach Cutcliffe uttered these words when asked for further explanation of switching to the 4-2-5 formation. He highlighted the three safeties who all can play like linebackers in this system. The safeties all range from 210-pounds to 225-pounds and have learned to play a hybrid safety-linebacker position.

"I learned this when I was a kid in the backyard...If I got the ball, you can't score as long as I protect it."

When asked about the importance of sustaining long drives in order to keep Andrew Luck and the Cardinal offense on the sidelines, Cutcliffe said that this mantra is applicable to facing any offense. Last week, the Blue Devils controlled the ball for over 31 minutes. If they can post a similar number and maintain possession, they have a chance of hanging in there against No. 6 Stanford Saturday.

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