ATLANTIC COAST CONFERENCE FOOTBALL KICKOFF

July 21, 2021

Mataeo Durant

Duke Blue Devils

Press Conference

THE MODERATOR: We'll take questions, please.

Q. Last year you shared the backfield with Deon. How are you preparing this year to be the main focus of the backfield?

MATAEO DURANT: The key is more preparation. I still dig into Deon a lot. I call him. I ask him tips on how he prepared for the upcoming season. Now the onus is on me, as one of the oldest backs in the room, to help everyone prepare also.

Q. Gunnar Holmberg, this will be his first year. How has he looked to you during spring, off-season? Do you think he'll be ready to take on the leadership role as the quarterback of this team?

MATAEO DURANT: Yes, sir. Gunnar has always looked great. I've known Gunnar since a junior in high school. We always built that relationship.

Now I'm glad that he's going to be able to get the opportunity to showcase his skills because he's a very talented quarterback, he's an unquestionable leader, he always make sure the team is fine whether it's on the field or outside the field.

I'm ready for him to get his opportunity to shine.

Q. Without Deon, what have you done this off-season to prepare your body physically for the increased workload?

MATAEO DURANT: I just been able to get in prehab and rehab, make sure everything is great. Also get the younger players ready who are under me. You never know what's going to happen. Preparation is always key.

Me and the younger players will go out, do a lot of individual drills, a lot of things we need to work on prior to the season. That also help build the depth in the backfield, which we have.

Q. Going into this season knowing what you've been able to accomplish already at Duke, but having to share that backfield, leadership-wise where have you gained the most skill maybe on and off the field? What should we expect from you this year?

MATAEO DURANT: Leadership-wise I've grown as a leader being that I'm one of the most experienced backs in our running back room. I talk to a lot of younger players on things that we need on the field and outside the field because if you act right outside the field, that will relay over. We just building more trust and everything.

For the upcoming season, I'm just focused on winning as a team. The individual things come, but the most important thing is winning.

Q. How much does a crowd affect the way that you prepare, how well you play a game? How does that factor into it?

MATAEO DURANT: Crowd factor, you know, it's a big thing, especially when you going into stadiums like Virginia Tech and Miami. The crowd is always lively. It's just a discipline factor that you have to be able to lock in, know what your plays, game plan is, be prepared to run any plays you get.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.