By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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At this point, Durant has to be considered one of the frontrunners for ACC Player of the Year.

Duke running back Mataeo Durant has been one of college football’s best players.

In what has been a remarkable start to the season, he was the catalyst for an impressive win for the Blue Devils over Northwestern in week three. In a 30-23 victory over the visitors from the Big Ten, Durant scored twice in the game’s first four minutes, once on a 11-yard touchdown reception from Gunnar Holmberg and once more on a 21-yard run, to give Duke a commanding early advantage. Durant finished with another 100-yard rushing game and 41 yards receiving as the Blue Devils moved to 2-1 on the season.

Durant is already just a stumble shy of 400 rushing yards, with seven touchdowns, adding 110 receiving yards and a score through the air as well. He is averaging over six yards per carry and nearly 15 yards per catch. With Durant leading the way, Duke has scored over at least 28 points in every contest this season and is currently averaging over 34 points per game. His production has paced an offense that has been one of the leaders in the ACC.

Durant burst onto the season with a performance for the ages in week one against Charlotte. He ran 29 times for 255 yards and three touchdowns, all with 41 receiving yards. Compiling over 300 total yards, Durant’s 255 yards on the ground set a new program record. In fact, he became one of just three Power Five running backs this millennium with at least 250 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns and 40 receiving yards in a single game, joining C.J. Verdell and Dexter McCluster.

The following week against North Carolina A&T, Durant promptly ran for three more scores in for an encore performance in Duke’s first win of the year. His two touchdowns against Northwestern means Durant has now scored in seven of his last eight games overall. He is currently one of this season’s national leaders. Going back to Halloween of last year, Durant has 14 total touchdowns.

Just for frame of reference, if Durant’s current work rate continues, he will finish the regular season with 1,592 rushing yards and 28 rushing touchdowns and 440 receiving yards and four more receiving scores. Simply put, he is off to a historic start. And Durant has led Duke to a winning record along the way.

At this point, Durant has to be considered one of the frontrunners for ACC Player of the Year.

Up next for Durant and Duke is Kansas, followed by a major matchup with nationally-ranked rival North Carolina. The Jayhawks have one of the nation’s worst rush defenses. In terms of the Blue Devils’ upcoming ACC opener, Durant rushed for 132 yards on just eleven carries against the Tar Heels a season ago. Regardless of the opponent, look for Duke to get Durant the football early and often.

A top playmaker at his position, Durant is both steady and a star. He leads Duke as a national name.