Duke Lacrosse Makes Triumphant Return

Duke lacrosse players wear practice jerseys representing the numbers of Dave Evans (6), Collin Finnerty (13) and Reade Seligmann (45), the lacrosse players charged with kidnapping and first degree sexual assault of a stripper last year, before their opening game against Dartmouth in Durham, N.C., Saturday, Feb. 24, 2007. (AP Photo/Sara D. Davis) (Sara D. Davis - AP)

The absence of Finnerty and Seligmann _ Evans has since graduated _ made the return to the field a little bittersweet for Madolin Archer, mother of senior defenseman Breck Archer.

"It feels right to be back," Archer said. "They've been working toward it for so long and the interruptions certainly have prolonged things. But it's where they should be."

Danowski sensed this week that his players also had their three former teammates on their minds, something he compared to "survivor's guilt."

"It was a little bit of guys wondering, 'Why am I getting to move forward and they're not?'" the coach said. "They're very bright and very sensitive young men ... and they care."

More than 60 media credentials were issued to cover the nationally televised game, far more than the handful that might normally cover the team. And from tailgaters in the parking lot to the students filling the stands, it seemed as if everyone was wearing a "Duke lacrosse" T-shirt _ though one fan wore a shirt with a line crossed through the name of Durham County District Attorney Mike Nifong, who secured the indictments but has since recused himself after being charged with ethics violations for his handling of the case.

There were also no protesters, a common sight on campus and in Durham in the days after the accusations became public. All of which served as a reminder that the tide at Duke has turned largely in favor of the accused players.

"I think today will do a lot just getting back on the field to kind of put some of the stuff behind us," said Garrett Wood, a junior biomedical and mechanical engineering major. "Obviously the case is not over, but maybe ... if we can put that behind us and can come out and play a game, I think it'll help a lot."

While fans were not allowed to bring signs into the stadium, Duke had installed signs on the fence lining the field with the Latin phrase, "succisa virescit" _ the motto for The Delbarton School in Morristown, N.J., where Seligmann and three current Blue Devils went to high school. Adopted by the Duke lacrosse program in the preseason, it means: "When cut down, it grows back stronger."

When the game was over, the players walked off the field to applause from supporters who waited by the fence near the edge of the field.

Now the Blue Devils can treat 2007 as if it's just another season for the first time.

"It is a relief for this to be over," Danowski said. "I could feel it in my body."