Quick hitter #7 – QB, Thaddeus Lewis talks of TD’s to Riley, and fan support

What do you think of your performance against JMU?

I think it was okay.  There’s always room for improvement after the first game.  The mistakes we made in the James Madison game will need to be corrected.

Do you feel like last weeks performance helped further develop the fan base?

Definitely!  The fans stayed out there in the rain during an hour delay to see what Duke had to offer.  We came out there and performed to the best of our ability and tried to give them what they came to see.

You had two hook ups with Eron Riley for touchdowns.  Is it safe to say he is your main man?

Definitely!  There is something about Eron that you know if it is thrown his way, he’s going to come up with it.  On the two touchdowns … the first one I was kind of surprised to see him get in my vision and he never hit that route, but he kind of got there … you know, it’s just what the defense gave us.  He was open in that situation.   I have a feeling Coach wants to get him in position to get more catches than he actually had.  You’ll see a lot more of that this year.

It seemed that play was designed to go another way …

Yes.  It was a smash combination.  They covered Eron pretty well, but he got to the backside.  In that situation you have to use your eyes to work the cornerback either way.  As it so happens I was trying to look back this way to see if I could move him a little bit and Eron came in my vision.

What did you think about the Blue Devil Walk and the pre game festivities?

I thought that was great.  You know, just to see the fans, students, faculty and everybody cheering you on … you don’t always have that where you are use to getting off the bus and you are gone.  Just having that walk and getting a connection with the fans before you get out there on the football field and you feel as one.  The fans don’t always get to see you up close and give you a handshake on a one on one basis like they did during the walk. 

Is it safe to say that kind of thing made a difference in the teams play?

I can definitely say that the fan support makes a difference.  It’s like the twelfth man on the field.  We need that extra boost on third and long offense or defense.  Just to get a win – that’s going to make them come back and cheer you on again.

What are your thoughts going into the Northwestern game?

It’s going to be a good game, it was last year.  They’re a different football team, so we will definitely have to go out there and prepare well.  I’m pretty sure they are working hard.

Game Week – Thaddeus Lewis Interview

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Who is your biggest fan or the one who encourages you the most during your career? 

My Momma!  She’s my biggest fan.  So I have to give a shout out to my Mother.  My big brother too.  He’s kind of like my idol.  My brother is nine years older than me and everything he’s done in sports, I’d like to follow.

What was it that you liked about Duke when making your collegiate choice?

Duke is somewhere you can be comfortable at.  You want to be somewhere where somebody wants you.  I wanted to contribute right away and there is a family atmosphere here amongst the coaches. 

Some in the media are saying Zack Asack is pushing you in practice.  How do you feel about that?  Does it make you a better player or do you just try to be the best Thad can be?

I don’t like to read the media, but I’m glad he is.  That’s the type of thing you want.  God forbid anything happen, but you would want someone behind you that can lead this team if something was to happen to me.  So, it’s a good thing, it makes me a better player making me compete everyday.  I wouldn’t have it no other way.

What do you think of Coach Cutcliffe so far?

Coach Cutcliffe is a great man!  A guy that’s going to push you to your limit.  He wants the best out of you everyday and will not let you settle for less.  That’s the type of man you want around.

How about Coach Roper the OC?

Coach Roper is a fun guy.  He stays on you!  He’s a good teacher. 

I noticed during the opening day with the media that your body looked a little different than last season …

They brought in Coach Durfey as the strength and conditioning coach.  He has a good weight program and works us hard.  If you come into our locker room you are there to be in pursuit of excellence, so if you are not ready to work, well …  It took a lot of hard work, plus the challenge that Coach told us he wanted us to drop weight and get to a certain level of body fat.

Do you have a different gel going into this season than last year?  What’s your general feel?

More mature.  Confident in what you can do.  This is my third offense in three years, but being a leader you have to adjust.  It feels kind of good in that you have a lot of players around you who have that game experience.

Tell me a little bit about being a leader for this season’s team …

I’m not a real vocal leader, but I try to show it through my actions.  You do everything to the best of your abilities and let the guys see your working hard and they will follow.

I assume you have a good relationship with Eron Riley.  Have you two developed …

Definitely!  Since me and Eron have been connecting with each other … sometimes the two of us will come out here and throw some balls together trying to get our timing down.  Just going to his house and playing games and hanging … it’s a relationship we are all in on here.

What are your goals for the coming season?  Any personal goals?

No personal goals, just a team goal.  Every time you hear us shout it will be “We are Duke.”  We’re going to take it one game at a time and do whatever it takes to fill up that stadium out there. (interview on practice field)

Tough question here … In the recent past Duke hasn’t fared well at home.  You have four consecutive to open the season starting with James Madison.  What will you do to turn it around?

People want to see you win.  If we go out there and get that first “W,” we know they’ll want to come back to see you.  But they will want to see if we can repeat the success as well.  If you give the fans what they want, you definitely are going to get that support.  You’ve got to earn it.

What is Thad’s message to Duke fans going into Saturday evening’s opener with a tough JMU team?

We hope to see you there.  We’re going to go out there and give it our all and try to give them a show.  Our guys will always come out and give it our best and no matter the results we’ll come back hard in our pursuit of excellence.  People say that winning isn’t everything, but actually it is and we want to get a win.

Lewis and Paulus are selfless leaders who are enjoying the Duke experience

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It’s always nice when Duke Student Athletes support one another.  Just ask Duke quarterback Thaddeus Lewis who recently told BDN, “When you sign on the dotted line to attend Duke University you are embracing a family whether you are a student or student athlete.”

He went onto say, “I want them (athletes) to support me, so I go out and support them.”  Lewis could be seen at the Coach K Academy this summer checking out all of the former Duke players while stopping to talk to a couple of current players like Greg Paulus.  “I wish I could get out there on the court,” said Lewis during that event.  He went on to say he played basketball in high school.

Almost all athletes at Duke played multiple sports at one time.  The aforementioned Paulus was one of the top rated quarterbacks in the nation out of high school.  In a twist of irony, Paulus could be found at a recent football practice peering on much like Lewis did in Cameron, wondering what if. 

Lewis and Paulus are two perfect examples of the kind of special athlete Duke produces both on and off the court or field respectively.  Both could be seen at various Duke sporting events last year and both are willing to put in the work for their university of choice.

I mean, talk about being selfless!  Lewis could be field on the field handing out water to prospects during the Duke Football Camps.  Paulus could be found  atop the hill in the new practice facility waiting to give attendees to the Coach K Academy rides to and from their motel.  Just take a second and imagine Lewis handing you a gatorade and Paulus saying “where to,” as his van loads.  

 ”Greg Paulus is one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet.  He’ll do anything for his school,” said recently retired Frank Dascenzo of the Herald Sun while the two of us sat in the new practice facility during the K Academy.

Lewis also supported the basketball Blue Devils at the recent SJC Pro Am event at NC Central University.  It’s kind of nice when Singler, Williams or Smith can look up and see Duke’s starting quaterback in the stands. 

There is one bond that ties the two together besides being the engine to their respective teams.  That being each one is throughly enjoying their Duke experience.  “Duke is somewhere you can be comfortable at.  It’s somewhere where you want to be and it’s somewhere where they want you,” said Lewis.  He went on, “It’s family oriented around here and I’m enjoying every mintue of every day.

So, if you happen upon Paulus or Lewis around campus or in any environment, you will see two Duke student athletes who strive to not only give their best, but to support one another.  Perhaps more importantly, they are enjoying their Duke experience.