DURHAM -- Duke is drawing its inspiration this season from injured receiver Blair Holliday.

Holliday has been taking incremental steps toward a return to normal life at a brain injury treatment center in Atlanta. His Blue Devils teammates say they enter this season buoyed by his courage and determination.

Holliday has been hospitalized since he suffered severe head injuries in a July 4 watercraft accident on central North Carolina lake.

Coach David Cutcliffe said Tuesday that he and some staff members are flying to Atlanta on Wednesday to visit him.

Duke opens the season Saturday night against Florida International, and Cutcliffe says there's no need for any clichéd win-one-for-the-Gipper speeches because ``Blair's more important than just rallying around the emotions of a game to them.''

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