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Q+A With Duke Football: Graham Barton
10/11/2023 1:12:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – The Voice of the Blue Devils, David Shumate, sat down with senior offensive lineman Graham Barton for a brief question and answer session.
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DS: Five games into the season and your offensive identity looks a lot like it did last season, how have you guys been able to sustain that through the first part of the year?
GB: It is an effort from the entire offense. It takes all 11 guys on the field to execute their jobs. You need receivers blocking and we try to play through the whistle up front. You see that from our receivers too and our running backs put their pads down and run hard. Our coaches scheme us up and put us in really good situations, so it is a whole team effort and we have found some success so far this season.
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DS: You never know where your open week is going to fall, but having it right before these seven ACC games does that benefit you guys?
GB: Yeah, absolutely. We played some big games in those first five weeks and to have last week to reset and get healthy was huge. We think we have done a great job of getting ready this week and we are excited to see how far we can take this thing.
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DS: Do you remember the first game you played and who it was against?
GB: I do actually. It was this team we have coming up in NC State. I am excited to get back on the field against them and haven't thought too much about it. I do remember that first time going out there and reflecting on how far this program has come.
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DS: How are you a different player than you were that first time you took the field against NC State?
GB: Obviously I am a couple years older, so I am stronger faster and a little bit more athletic than my 18-year-old self. I think I have just matured on the football field and have been able to become a better leader for the younger guys on the team. When I was that young guy, I had great older guys around me and appreciated that. I just try to give back and do for others what was done for me.
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DS: You saw helping others firsthand in the Notre Dame game, as Brian Parker II stepped in and filled your role when you were out. How cool was it to see him go in and perform in that game on Saturday night?
GB: When I found out I wasn't playing, I was upset at first. One of the first people I went and found was Brian. I made sure to tell him that he was ready for this moment. He works so hard and has been here a long time, so being the Swiss army knife that he is, we knew he could handle the job. To see him go out there and step up in that moment made me really proud of how consistent he was all week. He was ready to roll and didn't show any fear the entire week. I was so happy for him and his entire family for the job he did against a big-time opponent.
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#GoDuke
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DS: Five games into the season and your offensive identity looks a lot like it did last season, how have you guys been able to sustain that through the first part of the year?
GB: It is an effort from the entire offense. It takes all 11 guys on the field to execute their jobs. You need receivers blocking and we try to play through the whistle up front. You see that from our receivers too and our running backs put their pads down and run hard. Our coaches scheme us up and put us in really good situations, so it is a whole team effort and we have found some success so far this season.
Â
DS: You never know where your open week is going to fall, but having it right before these seven ACC games does that benefit you guys?
GB: Yeah, absolutely. We played some big games in those first five weeks and to have last week to reset and get healthy was huge. We think we have done a great job of getting ready this week and we are excited to see how far we can take this thing.
Â
DS: Do you remember the first game you played and who it was against?
GB: I do actually. It was this team we have coming up in NC State. I am excited to get back on the field against them and haven't thought too much about it. I do remember that first time going out there and reflecting on how far this program has come.
Â
DS: How are you a different player than you were that first time you took the field against NC State?
GB: Obviously I am a couple years older, so I am stronger faster and a little bit more athletic than my 18-year-old self. I think I have just matured on the football field and have been able to become a better leader for the younger guys on the team. When I was that young guy, I had great older guys around me and appreciated that. I just try to give back and do for others what was done for me.
Â
DS: You saw helping others firsthand in the Notre Dame game, as Brian Parker II stepped in and filled your role when you were out. How cool was it to see him go in and perform in that game on Saturday night?
GB: When I found out I wasn't playing, I was upset at first. One of the first people I went and found was Brian. I made sure to tell him that he was ready for this moment. He works so hard and has been here a long time, so being the Swiss army knife that he is, we knew he could handle the job. To see him go out there and step up in that moment made me really proud of how consistent he was all week. He was ready to roll and didn't show any fear the entire week. I was so happy for him and his entire family for the job he did against a big-time opponent.
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#GoDuke
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Players Mentioned
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