Bowden hopes to avoid tempting history

Originally Published: October 30, 2003
By Doug Carlson | Special to ESPN.com
The record hasn't improved. The Atlantic Coast Conference losing streak hasn't ended. But there are signs of life at Duke after one game under interim head coach Ted Roof. It's not so much the wishbone he installed as the attitude.

The throwback offense, with third-team quarterback Chris Dapolito playing the role of J.C. Watts, was used only on occasion against North Carolina State and it didn't bring a magic remedy to a Duke offense that's last in the league (still) in scoring at 15.9 points a game. But it did make things fun, and stir some enthusiasm. Score one for Roof.

"I think it's something we have to sustain in order to have a chance to win,'' Roof said, referring to the enthusiasm level, not the wishbone. "We don't have a choice. Certainly that's something we're going to try and get done. I don't see any reason we can't.''

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