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Q+A With Duke Football: R.J. Oben
9/27/2023 9:36:00 PM | Football
DURHAM – The Voice of the Blue Devils, David Shumate, sat down with redshirt senior defensive end R.J. Oben for a brief question and answer session.
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DS: What do you credit the success to start the season to?
RO: Coming off of last season, we were so close to being where we wanted to be and accomplishing our goals of winning an ACC championship. We knew if we all came back and were bought into the process, we could get to the success level that we hold ourselves accountable for.
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DS: What do you enjoy most about getting after the passer?
RO: I know that it is the best way to help my team by being that assassin's bullet on the edge. I like being the person to beat his man on the edge and break the protection to help our team win.
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DS: I know your father was a defensive tackle in the NFL, does he give you any feedback of what the offensive lineman don't like from an edge player?
RO: I would be lying if I said he hasn't been helping me since kindergarten. He has helped me develop my moves and techniques and has been a great mentor to me and my game.
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DS: Another game under the lights this season, do you enjoy the night games like everyone else and why is that?
RO: I love it because it gives all the fans the opportunity to come out and pack the stadium. The turnout is always great and being able to get some good sleep the night before is awesome. You are able to watch football all day and the buildup to kickoff is awesome.
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DS: You opened the season against Clemson, does that help you all handle being in the primetime slot again and take on another top-15 team?
RO: It is always about us and we don't really focus on who we are playing in the moment. At the end of the day if we go out and execute like we know we can we aren't scared of any opponent. No matter what the rankings are we are going to compete and fight to win the game.
#GoDuke
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DS: What do you credit the success to start the season to?
RO: Coming off of last season, we were so close to being where we wanted to be and accomplishing our goals of winning an ACC championship. We knew if we all came back and were bought into the process, we could get to the success level that we hold ourselves accountable for.
Â
DS: What do you enjoy most about getting after the passer?
RO: I know that it is the best way to help my team by being that assassin's bullet on the edge. I like being the person to beat his man on the edge and break the protection to help our team win.
Â
DS: I know your father was a defensive tackle in the NFL, does he give you any feedback of what the offensive lineman don't like from an edge player?
RO: I would be lying if I said he hasn't been helping me since kindergarten. He has helped me develop my moves and techniques and has been a great mentor to me and my game.
Â
DS: Another game under the lights this season, do you enjoy the night games like everyone else and why is that?
RO: I love it because it gives all the fans the opportunity to come out and pack the stadium. The turnout is always great and being able to get some good sleep the night before is awesome. You are able to watch football all day and the buildup to kickoff is awesome.
Â
DS: You opened the season against Clemson, does that help you all handle being in the primetime slot again and take on another top-15 team?
RO: It is always about us and we don't really focus on who we are playing in the moment. At the end of the day if we go out and execute like we know we can we aren't scared of any opponent. No matter what the rankings are we are going to compete and fight to win the game.
#GoDuke
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