Duke Scott doesn’t waste much time looking backward.
NC State’s young running back is focused on the next play, the next carry, the next day of work. It’s part of the mindset he’s developed in a backfield that demands toughness and resilience.
“The response, we’re working hard,” Scott said. “It’s not how we wanted it to come out, but we’ve just been grinding and making sure that doesn’t affect the next day. We have a 1-0 mindset, so whatever happened in the past, we’re not too worried about.”
That approach has served Scott well in his climb toward playing time. This fall, he earned his first career touchdown — the kind of moment that makes the grind worth it. It wasn’t flashy. It wasn’t the kind of play that will make a highlight reel. But it was exactly the type of run Scott loves: a short-yardage battle where power and determination matter most.
“It felt great. I felt blessed,” he said with a grin. “We put in a lot of work, and those are the moments that you kind of hope for, like those short yardage situations where it’s just you and another guy, just so you can show the grip you have. And it was a good opportunity for me to show that.”
He continues to look for ways to impact and maximize his opportunities.
“That’s always my goal,” he said. “Regardless if I get three carries, seven carries, ten carries, my whole goal is just to contribute as much as I possibly can and take advantage of every opportunity I get.”
Those chances often come behind the Pack’s featured back, Hollywood Smothers, the ACC’s leading rusher and one of the most explosive players in the country. Watching Smothers on a daily basis has given Scott a model for growth.
“His improvising, like how there may be nothing there, and he somehow manages to get out of it and get positive yards,” Scott said. “That’s been, like, the biggest thing I’ve taken away from him — just no play is dead until the whistle’s blown.”
It’s that blend of vision and creativity that has made Smothers a star, but Scott has found his own identity, complementing his teammate’s quick-strike explosiveness with a more physical style. Together, they give NC State’s offense balance — a one-two punch that forces defenses to prepare for both speed and strength.
“I feel like we’re a great complement to each other,” Scott explained. “He’s Lightning, and I feel like I’m Thunder. The power aspect that I bring and his just explosiveness, it’s just, I feel like it’s a great complement to each other.”
That combination has been invaluable for the Wolfpack. Smothers can stretch defenses and hit home runs, while Scott can grind out the tough yards, wear down defensive fronts, and keep drives alive. For a young back carving out a role, being the “Thunder” is something Scott embraces.
He’s not the loudest voice in the locker room. He doesn’t need to be.
Instead, Scott lets his effort define him — the extra yard after contact, the steady approach in practice, the resilience to move on from setbacks and keep pushing forward.
For NC State, that mentality fits perfectly. The Wolfpack backfield has a star in Smothers, but Scott is proving he can be just as important in shaping how far this offense can go. Each carry is a chance to prove himself, and Scott makes sure he treats it that way.
