Duke Lemmens - Competitive Excellence At Its Best
Sunday, September 26, 2010 | Football
By Amanda Brooks, UF Communications
University of Florida senior defensive lineman Duke Lemmens is the epitome of competitive excellence. The Westlake Village, Calif., native has already matched his career high in tackles (two) and recorded his first fumble recovery, both in the last home game against USF on Sept. 11. As someone who didn't earn a full-time starting job until his senior year, Lemmens knows the importance of stepping up game after game.
"I love Duke. He plays football the way it is meant to be played,” University of Florida defensive coordinator Teryl Austin said. “He plays hard, tenacious, goes every play. I'm really proud of Duke. He is a guy that hasn't had a lot of playing time here in the past, kind of a part-time guy. But now that he has had his opportunity, he is starting to take advantage of it. That's what you want; you want your older guys to play their best football.”
Lemmens continually proved Austin's point throughout the game against USF. In brutal heat, he came up big for the Orange and Blue. When the Gators were down 7-0, Lemmens closed in on USF's B.J. Daniels and forced the quarterback to throw the ball to fellow UF senior Ahmad Black. Three plays later, redshirt junior quarterback John Brantley connected with Carl Moore for an 11-yard touchdown as Florida tied the game at 7.
“That's why I've been doing what I've been doing, just working hard,” said Lemmens. “I was in the right situation at the right time. It means a lot for me to be able to help the team get a win, no matter what role I take in, but that pressure was big because Ahmad was there and picked their quarterback off.”
In the third quarter, USF's Demetris Murray bobbled a hand-off from Daniels. Lemmens was ready and waiting for the loose ball, recording his first career fumble recovery. The Gators took advantage of that turnover as well: three plays later, junior Jeff Demps used his trademark speed to get past the Bulls' defense for a 62-yard scoring run that gave the Gators the lead, 14-7. After the aforementioned defensive plays by Lemmens, the Gators continued to shut down the Bulls on defense and shine on offense, racking up 14 unanswered points to build a 28-14 advantage.
“Ahmad getting that pick and then us scoring right before halftime was huge,” Lemmens said. “But then to come out and play hard as a defense, I was able to be there when (USF) struggled in the backfield and just jumped on the ball and there was no way I was letting go.”
Lemmens continued, “I've never had a feeling like that before, like I was a big part of a win. Usually, I feel like they could have won without me, but I really felt like I contributed to so much of what our defense did… and that just felt awesome.
"Duke definitely showed the country what he could do as a defensive end,” fellow senior defensive end Justin Trattou said. “He has been getting better every week since spring ball and he has to keep building on it and keep doing good things. He has a bright future ahead of him."
On the field, Lemmens has grown into a tenacious lineman. Off the field, he is just as loyal to his teammates.
“Duke is the kind of guy that would do anything for you,” Trattou, Lemmens' best friend, said. “He will always have your back, no matter the situation. That's the kind of guy you want with you on and off the field. He's a great guy.”
While much has been made about the sense of humor possessed by members of the Florida Gators football team, Lemmens is no exception. Trattou continued, “He also is one of the most hilarious guys I know. We're always laughing and joking around.”
“During two-a-days, you survive on humor and joking about stuff,” Lemmens added. “You have to laugh your way through everything and that's one of things I'll actually miss the most (after graduation). On the D-line, we have a real close bond. We all come from such different backgrounds, but we get along so well and we can all make fun of each other.”
Once Lemmens, who is a sports management major, is finished with his senior season, he hopes to carry on with football as a career, something he never imagined possible until this year. Once his football career is entirely finished, he would like to coach on any level he could, just so he could impact kids in the same way he has been impacted by the coaches and teammates who surround him.
If there is one thing Lemmens wants to be remembered for, it's not statistics, goofing around, or even the bonds he has formed; he wants to be remembered for his leadership on and off the field.
“The biggest accomplishment that I've had while I've been at Florida is being voted as a team captain by my teammates,” Lemmens said. “That really meant the world to me. For my teammates to put me in that position, makes it that much more special. I like to be looked at as a team leader. I may not always be the most athletic, but (I want to be remembered for) playing the game the way it was meant to be played: hard and physical.”
With the majority of the season ahead, the Gator faithful, and their opponents, have not seen the last of Duke Lemmens and his physical presence on the defensive line.
