Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Duke Blue Devils Coach David Cutcliffe Q. You led the nation in turnovers last year. How do Press Conference you emphasize and discipline and get that message to your team about ball security?

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Coach Cutcliffe. DAVID CUTCLIFFE: That is not the first time I've heard that question (smiling). Rightfully so. Q. Ended the season at Notre Dame, held them to no first downs in the first quarter. Until they had a fake Obviously, we have studied that. I've never had an issue punt that worked, you were dominating the game. with that in my career until the last two years. Again, that From that promising start, what were some of the goes back to habits. It goes back to a head coach. You factors that happened to cause Duke's season to get select the people on the staff, the players, everybody away from you? involved. You create a practice schedule that creates good habits, if you're doing a good job. DAVID CUTCLIFFE: That's the first time I've been asked that question. We asked ourselves that quite a bit as But then most importantly you evaluate it. I've gone back reviewed during the season. and looked at practice tape, just random Tuesday and Wednesday practices. If you're not doing everything you I thought we played well. We were healthier than we had should do, every drill matters when it comes to ball been. We had an unusual off-season where 140 days our security. It matters that your team, and I believe these team was not together, couldn't come to campus. I think young men believe me, they have to do a better job of there were so many different factors. giving them ownership.

But in the end, as I viewed it, I learned a lot of lessons for a If you rant and rave about ball security, it's like being in a 45th year of coaching just how important my job as a head slump or when I couldn't hit free throws, whatever. The coach is of putting everybody in the best position they can more you hear negative, maybe the tougher it gets to get be. out of that slump.

There are no excuses. You go play to win, and regardless I'm asking our squad to own their habits. I'm asking our of what your team looks like. I think I learned the culture, staff collectively to own that habit. But my job, it still falls the chemistry of a team is built from January. I've had an on David Cutcliffe to ensure as a head football coach this is old saying, there's an old farmer's saying that you plant all happening right. well in the spring or beg well come fall. I think I realized more and more how critically important planting from So I take full responsibility. And if you don't take care of January all the way through the summer is to be able to the football, you're not going to win. That's been the sustain a season. biggest issue we have faced on the scoreboard. The only statistic that really matters is points per game. I don't know I'm very proud of those young people. Their commitment of anything that affects it more than turning the ball over to each other was impressive. I wished I would have put because every one of those you're not scoring. them in a better position to be successful. But I think that all that we went through will be a part of who we are the Q. Name, image and likeness is something that is rest of our lives. obviously surrounding all of collegiate athletics right now. Being a coach as you have for so many years, So I'm not going to blow that season off as a loss. I think what can you say about what you know of it and what we learned a great deal. you think of it as we step forward?

110520-1-1222 2021-07-21 18:05:00 GMT Page 1 of 3 DAVID CUTCLIFFE: I've been fortunate to serve on different NCAA committees, including the Football Watching him develop not only as a player but as a person Oversight Committee. Had a lot of previous conversations. has been extremely important for me. To see his mother I think it's a great thing that a player has the opportunity to celebrate his success. He's a graduate student. Can you own and build their image. believe that? I never got to be a graduate student. My grades got in the way. I'd have been a Rhodes scholar if it I told our players name, image and likeness, we used to hadn't been for my grades, Gunnar. call it reputation. Let's not forget that as you build this. But he's a graduate student. Just really proud of him. The intention is for a player to be able to build an image and benefit from it. There's a lot of ways you can do it, Q. There's a lot of turnover on the roster this year. through even social media. You don't need representation. You are bringing just under half your starters. What You can give private lessons at an appropriate time. positional group are you looking forward to most see progress this season? What you can't do with name, image and likeness is get so carried away with it that you erode your image. It can be a DAVID CUTCLIFFE: It depends upon how you look at our dangerous thing. team as far as the number of starters returning.

It also should not be a part of the recruiting climate. I I think the biggest challenge that we would face is the loss winched when I saw a quote from a state legislator, We in the defensive line. But we got a lot of young talent. have to get this law passed, this is hurting us in recruiting. We've got more depth than we've had at that position. That's not the intent of this. The intent, again, is ownership Competition always strengthens a team. that's earned. That's a fair assessment of life. So DeWayne and I have talked a lot about that recently. I think my job as a coach is to really try to help parents and He obviously is a very experienced player. But I'm excited players understand, not only once they're in your program about what they're going to do. I'm excited about every but in the recruiting process, that this is not a good position we have. selection of a school based on if that's what you're looking for. That's never been the premium value of college Really, I think this team, since we've been at Duke, and football. this is going into year 14, has the most balance and competition at every position. That is always in my past It's been my whole life college football. So I embrace the made a football team better. opportunity. I think it's great. But I think a lot of people are going to have to learn how to manage it, not just players, Q. Last year the ACC went with no divisional play. families, coaches, media. There's a lot of responsibility to This year you're back to divisions. Having our great game to make sure that we're very good to our experienced both now, which do you prefer? Does it players with this in an appropriate manner. even really matter?

Q. Can you walk us through the recruitment of Gunnar DAVID CUTCLIFFE: I personally like -- I've been part of Holmberg and his progress to this point. division play in the Southeastern Conference. I think it creates more excitement for the player to have the DAVID CUTCLIFFE: Well, Gunnar started recruiting me opportunity to win a division championship so you get into (laughter). No, I'm just kidding, Gunnar. November where college football gets really serious, where champions are determined. You're going to end up having Gunnar game into quarterback camp and was just so five or six teams in the hunt for an opportunity to be an impressive as an athlete, as an enthusiastic young ACC champion with division play. I think it's the better way quarterback. Right off of bat, I don't remember if you to go. remember this, Gunnar, but your 40 was 4.5. It popped my eyes wide open. His character. It's no different than you'd see in professional sports. You're trying to win your division. So I think it's much more Then as we recruited Gunnar, the story surrounding player-friendly than the other way. Gunnar ended up in our area, getting to know his mom, what a great mom she had been after Gunnar's father had Q. You're opening with two Friday games on the lost his life, just how close the three -- his sister, his mom, schedule. When you talk about forming habits, and he -- were throughout all of this. routine, what does that mean for your preparation? Do

110520-1-1222 2021-07-21 18:05:00 GMT Page 2 of 3 you think it's an advantage for you to start off with the Friday games whereas other teams have those later in the season?

DAVID CUTCLIFFE: We've got two Fridays and a Thursday. They present challenges. If we're going to play on Fridays, and we are in college football, then I do like Friday-Friday rather than a Saturday and then a Friday, et cetera. The short weeks are what gets hard.

I don't think there's any advantage to any of it. I do think early in the season if I'm going to do it I'd rather do it there because we do have a little time as a staff on Saturday to really evaluate the game, catch up, then you got a Sunday following that.

But I've gone into a lot of detail with our practice schedules already. It requires a lot of overtime work in the summer. So it is always going to be a challenge to play on a non-traditional day.

THE MODERATOR: Thank you.

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110520-1-1222 2021-07-21 18:05:00 GMT Page 3 of 3 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Duke Blue Devils DeWayne Carter

Press Conference DEWAYNE CARTER: Yes, sir. Actually going back to my recruiting days, my parents and I, we talked about how the ACC is so wide open, it's straight athletes back there. THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. Pursuing the quarterback week in and week out will be Q. Last year you played in stadiums that were something we prep for every single year, but this year in basically empty. What was that like? How much are specific. I mean, you got guys from UNC, Miami, Georgia you looking forward to actually having crowds? How Tech, whoever it may be, we game plan, put in different much does that add to the experience? schemes, different games. You have to adjust how you pursue the quarterback in terms of, when you do get back DEWAYNE CARTER: Yes, sir. Great question. there on those wide-open things, you can't just run out because you know those guys will be able to spin, break I mean, I've answered this earlier today, I said the most more tackles. They're more elusive. thing I'm looking forward to is having my mother and father back in the stands to witness a lot of my firsts which they It plays into the mind game, the mental game of the game missed last year. each week. So that's really what it is, more mental preparation from our coaches, which they do a great job. It kind of weighs on you when you are at your home stadium, you got people doing the wave, but it's cardboard Q. 419 points allowed last year. What are the key cutouts. You know how the crowd can play into elements in practice this year to get that number as momentum swings in a game, everything else that goes low as it can be on game day? into it. It's going to be a great feeling. DEWAYNE CARTER: Yes, sir. This year what you're Q. Chris and Victor moved onto the NFL. What did going to see from this defense is a defense that likes to fly you take away from them on and off the field? around, run to the ball, play hard. We're going to be disciplined. Emphasis for us is tackling, as well as DEWAYNE CARTER: Most importantly on the field, I took stopping the run. That's what we lacked in the back half of away from both of those guys how they pursue the the season. This year our focus is disciplining, strength. quarterback, how they pursue the running back, how they give their all every snap no matter what the score may be. When we get down the line, you get in November, December, whatever it may be, we're not going to have And then off the field in the film room, I have a very those lapses. intelligent position coach named Benjamin Albert who imparts that knowledge on them, and then seeing how they FastScripts by ASAP Sports carry themselves in the film room, how they prepare, how they study teams, how they study scheme, how they study individual players. It's kind of something that stuck with me from day one. That's really what I took most away from them.

Q. Every school that you face has an experienced quarterback. I don't think I've ever seen so much quarterback experience before. How does that complicate your preparation as a defensive player?

110521-1-1222 2021-07-21 18:11:00 GMT Page 1 of 1 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Duke Blue Devils Mataeo Durant which we have. Press Conference Q. Going into this season knowing what you've been able to accomplish already at Duke, but having to THE MODERATOR: We'll take questions, please. share that backfield, leadership-wise where have you gained the most skill maybe on and off the field? What Q. Last year you shared the backfield with Deon. How should we expect from you this year? are you preparing this year to be the main focus of the backfield? MATAEO DURANT: Leadership-wise I've grown as a leader being that I'm one of the most experienced backs in MATAEO DURANT: The key is more preparation. I still our running back room. I talk to a lot of younger players on dig into Deon a lot. I call him. I ask him tips on how he things that we need on the field and outside the field prepared for the upcoming season. Now the onus is on because if you act right outside the field, that will relay me, as one of the oldest backs in the room, to help over. We just building more trust and everything. everyone prepare also. For the upcoming season, I'm just focused on winning as a Q. Gunnar Holmberg, this will be his first year. How team. The individual things come, but the most important has he looked to you during spring, off-season? Do thing is winning. you think he'll be ready to take on the leadership role as the quarterback of this team? Q. How much does a crowd affect the way that you prepare, how well you play a game? How does that MATAEO DURANT: Yes, sir. Gunnar has always looked factor into it? great. I've known Gunnar since a junior in high school. We always built that relationship. MATAEO DURANT: Crowd factor, you know, it's a big thing, especially when you going into stadiums like Virginia Now I'm glad that he's going to be able to get the Tech and Miami. The crowd is always lively. It's just a opportunity to showcase his skills because he's a very discipline factor that you have to be able to lock in, know talented quarterback, he's an unquestionable leader, he what your plays, game plan is, be prepared to run any always make sure the team is fine whether it's on the field plays you get. or outside the field. THE MODERATOR: Thank you. I'm ready for him to get his opportunity to shine. FastScripts by ASAP Sports 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,

110522-1-1222 2021-07-21 18:15:00 GMT Page 1 of 1 Atlantic Coast Conference Football Kickoff Wednesday, July 21, 2021 Charlotte, North Carolina, USA Duke Blue Devils Gunnar Holmberg

Press Conference Learning from Daniel was really cool, seeing the way he attacked the film room, seeing the way he worked, off the field, the way he treated people, I think was big-time. It's THE MODERATOR: Questions, please. all the stuff that Coach Cut preaches.

Q. Your cousin Maddie almost made the Olympic Really being able to see guys put into the real world and on team. Who is the best athlete in the family? You have the field is big-time. Just really grateful to be underneath a lot of college athletes over generations in your him. family. Do you take that for granted or does that motivate you? Q. I got to see some of your games in high school. I remember against Wake Forest High School you led GUNNAR HOLMBERG: First of all, I want to thank you for two impressive touchdown drives. Three-time state that article you wrote. That was a great article. I champion. appreciate you telling my story, letting my mom get in on that. Maddie is a stud. We've all been track runners. I ran GUNNAR HOLMBERG: Yeah, they were. track up until high school. She's always been fast. We go against each other. I think nowadays she might get me. Q. Talk about the learning curve from that moment, So I'll give that crown to Maddie. which was a pretty high level, to being the quarterback at Duke University? What have you had to absorb and Growing up, I think that's really what gave my love to adapt to? college football, to football in general. Always hearing the stories about my uncle who played at Penn State, was a GUNNAR HOLMBERG: I think just knowing everybody in linebacker under Joe Paterno. I'm always learning from this league is going to be very talented, similar to Wake him, kind of wanting to see what that experience is like. Forest High School, talented team, Dexter Lawrence and Really cool to learn from. all them went there. Playing against them was always a really good time. Especially nowadays, he's a phone call away, I can reach out to him if I have any questions. Calming the nerves. He I think even now, my freshman year, understanding how played quarterback in high school, but he was a linebacker, much you have to learn not even the opposing team's like I say, at Penn State. He knows a lot about football, if I defense but your own offense, just how long that takes to have questions I can reach out to him. Definitely a good learn and the learning curve in that. Seeing a guy like guy to have in my corner. Daniel who just had total command over it, Quentin Harris, their command over the offense I think was big-time. Q. David Cutcliffe has known how to train a quarterback or two. What is it like to have this coach Yeah, like I say, even the time it took for me to get here, at this position for you? I've always said it's a blessing in disguise, just from giving me time to be able to be very comfortable with our offense. GUNNAR HOLMBERG: Yeah, I mean, it's pretty much the I've been in the system enough to where I've seen what main reason I came to Duke, was to learn under Coach type of defenses guys in our division play, be comfortable Cutcliffe. I got to meet Peyton and Eli over the weekend, with them, familiar with them. going to the Manning Passing Academy, just seeing their knowledge on the game, it's like a mirror, all stuff I heard Like I say, the learning curve, it took a little bit. Like I said, from Coach Cut. It's good to see, seeing it come to fruition, I think learning from guys before me helped out a lot. see how real it is.

110523-1-1222 2021-07-21 18:22:00 GMT Page 1 of 2 Q. It's highly publicized, the adversity you've had to deal with off the field, family, injuries. How has THE MODERATOR: Thank you. everything you've been through off the field prepared you for the next challenge, a starting quarterback in FastScripts by ASAP Sports the ACC?

GUNNAR HOLMBERG: I think that goes a long way, dealing with adversity throughout your life. I've always said it, when you go to college, college football, the program you walk into, it's probably never going to go the way you planned it.

I think I learned that from Dan, Quentin, hearing their stories, even people within my family that have played college football, played a bunch of sports, seeing the adversity they've gone through, how you handle it.

I think you also have to step back from the game, understand it's really just the game you love, the game you grew up playing. Just really enjoy it, embrace it. Like I say, it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I'm just trying to enjoy the ride while I'm here.

Q. What adjustments of your game have you been most focused on refining as you prepare for stepping into the starting role?

GUNNAR HOLMBERG: Yeah, I think just being consistent and being confident, whether that's telling the play to the guys in the huddle, being consistent with things like accuracy. Ball security was of course a big focus for us in spring coming off this season. Really just being a guy that guys on the team can ask any question to regarding the offense, whether that's an O-lineman, running back, wide receiver, always making sure I have the right answer to that so I can help them out. Continue to fill my shoes as the leader of this team the upcoming season.

Q. Beyond points on the scoreboard, how do you define 'win'?

GUNNAR HOLMBERG: Yeah, I think you define 'win', of course what Coach Cut says, points per game. I think it's also what you take out of that game, what you learn from it. If you lose a game, a close game, which pretty much every game in this division is going to be a close game coming down to the fourth quarter, you have to learn to take away from that kind of your mistakes, what you did well. I think you can learn a lot from your team, kind of the style that you guys want to play from that.

But like I say, I think it all comes down to what you can take away from that game, implement that into your next week, try to build on wins. At the end of the day that's what we're playing for.

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