NC State’s Dave Doeren Talks to Media Before UNC: Bulleted

NC State head coach Dave Doeren met with the media after practice yesterday one last time before their matchup against UNC this Saturday. Here’s a bulleted breakdown of what he had to say:

• UNC has played really well the past two or three games. Have good young players that are getting better as the year goes on. They are playing with confidence. The Quarterback is playing well. Hasn’t turned the ball over.
• Senior Day is emotional. The last time you walk out into your home stadium to play a football game, and your parents meet you at the 50. I’ll have to get them back focused and ready to play.
• Can show recruits how this class has developed. Pictures of them as Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors. You can give them an in-depth look at the improvements made. We can tell them this is proof of what we can do.
• With the UNC rivalry, the uniqueness is the proximity. You’re going to see their colors all year long. Some rivalry games have 5-6 hours distance between the schools. Everyday you’re going to run into Tar Heels, and they are going to run into Wolfpackers. It’s been going on a long time. Over 100 years. It’s a great rivalry game.
• Wide Receiver Anthony Ratliff-Williams is a good player. In high school he was an excellent quarterback, and we liked him a lot as a quarterback. He’s a good athlete. Reminds me of what Jakobi Meyers has become for us.
• Nyheim Hines is fine. He didn’t practice today (Wednesday). We’re just trying to get him to 100%, but he’ll practice on Thursday (today). He feels great. With him not on the field, you’re missing a guy who runs a 10.4, catches the football and returns kicks. Big time playmaker for us. We do have other players, but not one who runs a 10.4, returns punts and kicks, and plays tailback. Changes the offense when he’s not there. We lose the ability to have a change of pace back when Nyheim is out, and it’s just Reggie.
• It would be incredible to get the first win at home against UNC. Not just because it’s them, but because it’s Senior Day, and we would have beaten them 3 out of the last 4 years.
• My guess is Terronne Prescod will lead the team in eating on Thanksgiving. Maybe a D-Lineman. Josh Fedd-Jackson can eat a little bit too.