Zielinski Develops Into One of ACC's Top Linemen

Oct. 28, 2002

Courtesy of Blue Devil Weekly
By Nick Vaughn

Duke defensive tackle Matt Zielinski's first two years with the Blue Devils were marred with bad breaks and disappointment. After bouncing around from position to position, Zielinski suffered a season-ending knee injury in his first career start. Not exactly how the East Amherst, N.Y., native envisioned the beginning of his college football career.

Undeterred, Zielinski has continued to work hard in 2002. As a result, the 6-2, 290-pound junior has become one of the dominant defensive linemen in the ACC. More importantly, Zielinski has played a key role in helping the Blue Devils show improvement over the course of the season.

Duke's defense in 2002 has proven to be one of the team's strengths. Under the guidance of first-year defensive coordinator Ted Roof, the Blue Devils' defense relies on speed and intensity, two characteristics Roof brought to Durham from his time as both an All-ACC linebacker and defensive coordinator at Georgia Tech. According to Zielinski, Roof's overall management of the game has also helped the defense's improvement.

"This year we have the best players on the field," Zielinski said. "That's one thing Coach Roof worked on and that has really helped this year. Now everyone has a good feel for how each other plays and that has made a big difference."

One specific area on the defensive side of the ball that has seen marked improvement is along the defensive line. Zielinski and fellow tackles Demetrius Warrick, Orrin Thompson and Bob Benion, along with starting ends Shawn Johnson and Micah Harris, give Duke a formidable front four. In fact, the group has managed to put together some gaudy stats already this season. Through eight games, the Blue Devils' have already surpassed last year's sack total. Even more impressive is the fact that Duke's opponents are finding it tough to run on the Blue Devil's front line, averaging a paltry 3.6 yards per carry. "The guys on the defensive line have started to work off of each other and we have more sacks and tackles for losses than we ever have," Zielinski said of the group's success. "That just shows that we are growing as a defense."

While Johnson and Harris are having fine seasons, Zielinski's year may be the most impressive of them all. With 11.5 tackles for losses, Zielinski not only tops all of his Duke teammates but he also ranks second in the ACC. Yet, statistics cannot measure Zielinski's greatest contribution to the 2002 Blue Devils - his leadership. Specifically along the defensive line, Zielinski's leadership has proven to be invaluable. As a redshirt junior, Zielinski is the oldest member of the four starters. Although Zielinski finds the role odd sometimes, he relishes the opportunity to stand up and be the leader of the unit.

"I think I've always been ready to accept a leadership role," Zielinski said. "I like being a leader out there. I'd like to get everyone up to the level we need to be at and get ready to play." One way in which Zielinski has gotten his teammates ready to play is by setting the standard in Duke's weight room. An avid weight lifter, Zielinski's statistics are eye-popping: 640 pounds in the squat, 470 pounds in the bench press, and 380 pounds in the power clean for a total of 1,490 pounds - tops on the team. While he gives some credit to teammate and lifting partner Ryan Fowler for pushing him in the weight room, Zielinski acknowledges that he really enjoys the personal challenge weightlifting provides.

"I think anybody enjoys something that they succeed in," Zielinski said. "Each time I lift I want to see how high I can get my numbers up and be the top guy. I just like to see how far I can push the body. Even now I don't think I'm as strong as I could be and I can't wait until this coming offseason to work even harder in the weight room."

Just like his demeanor in the weight room, Zielinski is extremely hard working both on the field and off. After injuring his knee against Florida State in his first career start, surgery ended the rest of Zielinski's 2000 season. Some players may have been discouraged by such a devastating and demoralizing injury. Not Zielinski. In fact, the economics major rehabbed so vigorously that he admits his legs are now stronger than they have ever been before.

"The surgery is a thing of the past," Zielinski said. "One of the toughest things that people go through with knee surgery is realizing that you can't do anything about it. All you can do is get back and that is what I did."

As his rehabilitation illustrates, Zielinski's determination to always work hard has literally made him into the player he is today. When Zielinski first set foot onto Duke's campus he was unsure as to what type of player he was to become. Weighing 250 pounds as a true freshman, Zielinski was too heavy to play middle linebacker and too light to play along the line. However, after rehabbing from the knee surgery and spending a year and a half in the weight room, Zielinski was permanently placed on the defensive line.

"When I got to Duke the coaches really didn't know where they were going to play me," Zielinski said. "During my first two years here, I don't think I was at a position for more than two months before being switched. Now that I've been at tackle for a year and a half I'm more comfortable."

Not only is Zielinski comfortable on the field but also his enjoyment for the game is at an all-time high. According to Zielinski, the joy he gets on the field stems from the confidence he has in the defense.

"The attitude and confidence we go out on the field with is higher this year," Zielinski said. "Last year we didn't always know what was going to happen, but this year we go out there with the confidence that we are going to go three-and-out and make the big plays."

As Zielinski's and his teammates' confidence continues to grow, the Blue Devils will undoubtedly enjoy more success on the gridiron.

Zielinski Develops Into One of ACC's Top Linemen

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