University of North Carolina Athletics
Darian Durant Chat Wrap
October 8, 2002 | Football
Durant is coming off a career game at Arizona State where was 25 of 40 for 417 yard and five touchdowns. He established the UNC single-game record for most passing yards (417) and total offense (426) and tied the school record with five TD passes.
Although he has started just seven games in his career, Durant is already ranked fifth in UNC history with 27 touchdown passes, ninth in passing yards and 11th in total offense.
The Tar Heels face NC State on Saturday at Noon ET at Kenan Stadium.
Do we have a chance against the Pack this weekend and if so what will be the keys for us giving them there first loss of the season?
Who are your football heroes while you were growing up? and what NFL team do you wish to play for?
As a Rams Club member and season ticket holder, I haven't seen Coach Tranq open up the offense like that this year (as in the ASU game). Can we expect the same against State and do you think they can defend our GREAT receivers!
Darian Durant: (1:28 PM ET ) Hi everyone. I'm here and ready to chat!
ak (charlotte, nc): How do you guys prepare for this rivalry, and what is the mood with the Carolina players and coaches? Thanks. Go Heels!
Darian Durant: (1:29 PM ET ) We prepare for it like any other game, even though it's a rivalry. We can't look past the fact that it's just another ACC game.
Darian Durant: (1:30 PM ET ) As for the mood of the team. Everyone it pumped up. We understand the significance of the bragging rights around the state. It's extra motivation for us!
Frank (Durham): Why you pick #4 as your number this year, and why did you choose #11 last season?
Darian Durant: (1:31 PM ET ) No. 11 was given to me when I first got here, because 4 was occupied. Once I saw the opportunity to get #4 I took it. It was my high school number and I had a lot of success with it.
Brad - Mooresville, NC: Darian, first off congratulations on your record breaking game and win against ASU. Is the Carolina offense going into the state game with the mindset that scoring at least 35 points is a must to beat the wolfpack?
Darian Durant: (1:32 PM ET ) Thanks. In every game, we feel like we need to score a lot of points to win. That's part of being on offense. We always want to score to keep the pressure off the defense.
Mark, Charlotte: Darian, Congratulations on a big win in Arizona. What do you think about Philip Rivers? How would you describe his style of play in relation to your own?
Darian Durant: (1:33 PM ET ) Thanks again. We're similar because neither one of our styles is very pretty, but they're both effective. The QB's job is to get the job done...and that's what he does.
Shane Lanning (Canton): It is evident as each week passes, your confidence grows, and it carries over to the team. Great to see the offense coming together as a unit. It was good to see Chesley Borders have a big game. With Sam Aiken being double teamed, Borders, Pollock and Blizzard should be open against man coverage. Is this something that will be emphasized this week going into the NC State game? Good luck this week, and for the rest of the season. GO HEELS!!!
Darian Durant: (1:34 PM ET ) Definitely, but at the same time NC State plays a lot of man to man. With Ches having the kind of game he had last week, there should be less double teams on Sam. That will allow him to get open and stay involved.
steve: darian, what are some of the things coach bunting says to you guys before games to get you pumped up? Have a great game Saturday.
Darian Durant: (1:35 PM ET ) He constantly reminds us of how great the opporunity it is to play this wonderful sport and to play for 60 minutes!
Don (Gastonia, N.C.: Will there be more passes to Derelle Mitchell in the State Game?
Darian Durant: (1:37 PM ET ) It's hard to say, because you don't go into the game focusing on one receiver. But we definitely want Derelle involved in the offense. My job is to find the open receiver, and if he is I will get it to him,
Don (Gastonia, N.C.: Darian do you prefer to roll-out or to stay in the pocket on third and long?
Darian Durant: (1:38 PM ET ) It really doesn't matter. Sometimes getting outside the pocket puts pressure on the defense, But it just depends on the individual situation.
Nicole Pendergrass (Garner): Are there certain things that you do to get ready for each game? Ex. Do you eat the same meal, what kind of music do you listen to, etc.
Darian Durant: (1:39 PM ET ) I try to eat the same foods every week. Baked potato and grilled chicken. I always have my headphones on, and I listen to Pastor Troy. You ever heard of him?
Jonathan(Danville,VA): Hey Darian! Great game against the Sun Devils! My question is- do you think that NC State will be just like Arizona State offensively and defensivly? Will this upcoming game be another shootout?
Darian Durant: (1:39 PM ET ) Hard to say, because any team can struggle on either side of the ball on any given day. We'll go out there and take it as it comes. We just want to come out on top.
Rhett: Darian, who would you say is emerging as the next "star" on this offense? Good luck on Saturday!!! Go Heels!
Darian Durant: (1:41 PM ET ) We have a lot of talnted players. None of us considers ourselves as stars. We all try to go out and contribute to the best of our ability.
Bill,Ramseur: What do you feel is the one weakness you need to work on the most?
Darian Durant: (1:42 PM ET ) I think sometimes I try to do too much. A lot of time when there is pressure on the offense to score I try to do too much. That leads to turnovers. Sometimes I just need to relax under pressure.
Nathan Cheung (San Marino): First off I would like to say I LOVE THE TARHEELS. I meet you Darian once at Kenan Stadium and I flipped out but you prob don't remember but anyway, my question is, do you see yourself playing on Sundays for a professional team?
Darian Durant: (1:43 PM ET ) That's my dream. That's anybody's dream. Right now I'm focusing on college and doing whatever it takes to get Carolina as many victories as possible.
Heel Fan (Raleigh): Darian,
Darian Durant: (1:44 PM ET ) We definitely have a chance. We need to limit our turnovers on offense and stop them from making big plays on defense.
Keng: Darian,
Darian Durant: (1:45 PM ET ) Growing up I wasn't a real big football fan. I concentrated a lot on basketball. Now that I'm having success with football it's hard to say what NFL team I want to play for. i just want an opporunity to play at that level one day.
Mario, Florence SC: Hey Darian, I live in Florence(SC) and I'm also a Wilson grad, just wanted to say your making us all proud, win Saturday and GOD bless!
Darian Durant: (1:46 PM ET ) Thanks a lot. Go Tigers!!
maiden: Darian,
How do you stay so cool and calm
in the pocket when those 275 pound linemen
are bearing down on you? How do you see
the second and third receivers since you
are not that tall for a QB.
Darian Durant: (1:48 PM ET ) I have a lot of confidence in my offensivle line. That confidence alone makes me confident about staying in the pocket. I'm listed at 5'11", but you'd be surprised at what I can see, because there are many lanes out there on the football field.
Paul B. Chapel Hill: Hey Darian!
I play football for middle school and I just want to know How do you prepare for a big game like the NC State one?
Good luck and I know the heels will pull this one off, I'll be there!
Paul
Darian Durant: (1:49 PM ET ) Even though it's a big game you still have to prepare like it's any other game. You have to let the fans and outsiders enjoy all the hype about the rivalry. You just have to focus on what you have to do out there. Have fun at the game!
Don (Gastonia, N.C.): Does trash talking get you motivated against an opponent like N.C.State?
Darian Durant: (1:50 PM ET ) Definitely. You use what they say as a source of motivation. At the same time, I'm a trash talker myself, so we should have a lot of fun out there...
Roddy Woodard (Greensboro,NC): Darian,
Darian Durant: (1:52 PM ET ) We'll just take what the defense gives us. If the running game isn't working, we'll open it up and pass more. If they want to play us man to man all day then it will be tough to stop our receivers.
david (Raleigh): Darian: Do you stay in touch with Ronald Curry?
Darian Durant: (1:53 PM ET ) Unfortunately, I haven't talked to Ronald in a while. But I hear he's doing well out in Oakland. I hope to see him soon.
Craig James (Florence,SC): Durant, I saw you play in highschool and I know how good you are and can be, but it always seem like you where underrated are never got the respest for your play. Do you think that is going to change and is that what drives you to become a better quarterback?
Darian Durant: (1:55 PM ET ) Being underrated always gives you that extra motivation to go out there and do well. I was told that I can't play at this level. Just being told that makes you strive harder. My goal of getting to the NFL is what drives me as a quarterback.
Tip (New York): Does the AC/DC song that plays in the stadium during the 4th quarter really fire up the team?
Darian Durant: (1:57 PM ET ) Definitely, because we feel like the 4th quarter is our quarter. that's what we worked all summer for, to win the 4th quarter.
Clint (Raleigh): Darian, both you and Philip are known for your passing games. Do you think that the team with the most passing yards will prevail Saturday?
Darian Durant: (1:58 PM ET ) Not necessarily. It's all about getting the ball in the end zone. Last week Arizona State had more passing yards than us, but it's all about scoring touchdowns,
will (chapel hill): What is your fondest athletic memory?
Darian Durant: (2:00 PM ET ) It is yet to come. Hopefully it will be in two days!
will (chapel hill): Darian, who do you think is the fastest player on the team? the strongest? the funniest?
Darian Durant: (2:01 PM ET ) Rabbitt's the fastest (Waddell). The strongest is Jason Brown. The funniest just might be me...
Bob from ATO: How do you respond to pressure of having CJ Stephens behind you?
Darian Durant: (2:02 PM ET ) It drives me to go out every day and practice hard. With a guy with his talent pushing me it really brings out the best in me.
Nick (Hickory): Darian how does the team plan on preparing for State's kick blocking ability?
Darian Durant: (2:04 PM ET ) We're very aware of their ability to change the game with their special teams. We've put a lot of emphasis on that this week in practice.
Shane Lanning (Canton,NC): Is Coach Buntings passion for Tarheel football carrying over into the team, as well as the fans in Chapel Hill?
Darian Durant: (2:06 PM ET ) Definitely. With him being a player here, he understand the significance of this game. He was down at the Dean Dome at the ticket office, feeding our students food who were lined up, so everyone around town is fired up for the game.
Managers: How do you go about picking out game balls for Saturday?
Darian Durant: (2:07 PM ET ) I try to pick balls that are not too new, but at the same time not overworked. I try to get balls that just feel good to me.
Darian Durant: (2:09 PM ET ) I've got to run to my meetings. Sorry I couldn't get to every question, but thanks for all the positive (and negative) comments! Tar Heel fans, be loud, wear blue and go Heels!
See you Saturday!
