David Cutcliffe entered a quiet locker room. No one moved. No one said a word. It was a team in stunned silence.
Usually, the Duke coach has words already prepared for these moments after a tough loss, but given the context — the dramatic comeback, the miraculous Miami kick return, the endless review and perplexing officiating — there was no standard speech this time.
“There were no appropriate words for what had happened,” Cutcliffe said Sunday.
The ACC offered a few, agreeing that officials blew the call on the last play of the game, in which Miami lateraled eight times, was flagged for a block in the back, saw the flag picked up and had the touchdown stand.