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Change the only constant for Blue Devils QB
By KEITH PARSONS
Associated Press Writer
DURHAM � Mike Schneider is getting used to
this. For the third time in three years, the Duke quarterback has a new
offensive coordinator.
``It's definitely not new,'' Schneider said.
Bill O'Brien arrived from Maryland to replace
Marty Galbraith, who was fired after only one season. The Blue Devils were
last among the 117 Division I-A teams in total offense last season, totaling
267 yards a game.
Improving that figure falls mostly to
Schneider and O'Brien, and if their budding relationship is any indication,
it should happen.
``I thought it would be a lot more frustrating
coming in, probably because at the end of last year, I really started to
understand the offense more,'' Schneider said. ``When coach O'Brien came in,
and I talked to him for the first time, I knew that it was to be OK. He's
the best teacher I have ever been around.''
But Schneider already was learning, even
before O'Brien was hired. He dedicated himself to studying game tape in the
offseason, hoping to get a better insight into not only his position, but
all the others.
Armed with that knowledge, Schneider has been
better than ever during practice this month. It's provided another benefit,
as well.
``With knowledge comes leadership,'' O'Brien
said. ``I think it's been a win-win situation for him. But it's all for
naught unless you go out and put it on the field.''
Accomplishing that is the challenge for
Schneider. Still just a junior, he has started 18 games in his career with
the Blue Devils, and last year he completed 57 percent of his passes for
1,527 yards and eight touchdowns.
His best effort came in a 24-22 loss to Wake
Forest, when he finished 28-of-45 for 300 yards. In an upset of Clemson �
Duke's only victory in 2004 against a Division I-A opponent � Schneider also
was steady, throwing for 213 yards and a TD.
After some early hiccups, during which he
split time with Chris Dapolito and Curt Dukes, he was extremely accurate
down the stretch, converting 61 percent of his passes in the final five
games.
Now, he needs to improve the rest of his game.
``He's always had a strong arm, but as far as
knowing where to go with the ball, dealing the ball in time and just other
things that make up quarterbacks, I've seen more of a growth in that area,''
coach Ted Roof said.
Another improvement, as O'Brien alluded to, is
Schneider's leadership. He is solidly entrenched as the No. 1 quarterback,
so his teammates know he's going to be the one on the field most of the
time.
And everyone has confidence in O'Brien, who is
known as a bit of a prot�g� of Terrapins coach Ralph Friedgen. They worked
together as assistants at Georgia Tech � as did Roof � and O'Brien followed
him up to Maryland.
O'Brien came to Duke because of his faith in
Roof and his belief that they can turn the program around.
``I really missed being the coordinator,''
said O'Brien, who coached the running backs for the Terrapins. ``I really
believe we can win here. We've got a great coaching staff and we've got a
lot of hardworking kids.''
The Blue Devils will get their first real
sense of how long the turnaround might take when they open at East Carolina
on Sept. 3. The Pirates, under first-year coach Skip Holtz, are another team
looking to reverse their fortunes after winning only three games over the
last two seasons.
Copyright 2005 The Associated
Press. All rights rights reserved.
Bonesville.net contributed to this report. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
02/23/2007 10:42:57 AM
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