With a rivalry matchup looming for the No. 21 North Carolina football team this weekend against Duke, Coach Larry Fedora, redshirt senior quarterback Marquise Williams and sophomore tailback Elijah Hood took the podium at Kenan Football Center to discuss their upcoming game against the Blue Devils, the team's preparation and a wild weekend of college football.
Here are some things to know from Monday's press conference.
1. Without Walker
When the Tar Heels take the field against Duke on Saturday, they will be without junior cornerback Brian Walker, who notified Fedora last Wednesday that he was leaving the team.
As a sophomore in 2014, Walker started 12 games at cornerback, racking up 38 tackles and a team-high three interceptions. Through the first seven games in 2015, the junior started at nickelback and accumulated 12 tackles and five pass breakups in limited action. He did not play against Pittsburgh on Thursday.
"I think he's interested in finding a place where he can maybe get more playing time," Fedora said.
Williams, who played with Walker in high school, said the junior's decision to leave affected him greatly.
"That's more than a teammate — it's a brother ..." Williams said. "I'm going to believe in him and I'm still going to be his brother, because that goes a long way."
2. A family affair