Duke coach David Cutcliffe has maintained for the last month that injured starting quarterback Thomas Sirk is ahead of schedule in his rehab from a torn Achilles tendon.
On Wednesday at the ACC spring meetings, Cutcliffe went a step further, saying he was "absolutely" hopeful Sirk would be ready to play in the season opener against N.C. Central on Sept. 3 -- just seven months after the injury.
"That's where we are in our thoughts," Cutcliffe said. "He's a great athlete. He heals a lot faster than I do. So I'm hopeful that we have a shot.