Dave Doeren Talks To Media Before UVA

NC State head coach Dave Doeren spoke to the media one last time after practice today before the Wolfpack’s ACC opener against UVA. The video is ABOVE, and a bulleted breakdown is BELOW.

• Good Thursday practice. A little rain, so that was good. Locked in. Focused. Excited about ACC game against good opponent.
• Redshirt Freshman WR Thayer Thomas and Redshirt Sophomore WR CJ Tiley practiced and are cleared (concussion protocol).
• 1st Game all year have all 6 receivers playing and starting Tight Ends.
• The full rotation lets those guys be fresh. Don’t have to play guys 8 straight plays. Not a drop off when you give Kelvin Harmon, Stephen Louis, or Jakobi Meyers a rest. All 6 of them are capable. Helps Coach McDonald with substitutions.
• Redshirt Junior WR Jakobi Meyers is much better. Was sore and probably 85% against Marshall.
• To prepare for UVA QB Bryce Perkins, Redshirt Freshman, QB Matt McKay has come over like he did last year to prepare for Lamar Jackson. Really mobile quarterback, and ran around so our defensive guys could feel that strain. Without having a guy like McKay you get a false sense of security in preparation. Perkins is an explosive player, and you need an explosive guy to help you prepare, and we got a good look from him.
• Redshirt Freshman LB Isaiah Moore was sore last week (didn’t play vs. Marshall), but practiced Tuesday and practiced today. Gave him a little break yesterday, but he looks good.
• Proud of Sophomore LB Louis Acceus (started in place of Moore against Marshall). He played like he’d been in there numerous games. Didn’t flinch. Made a lot of plays. Communicated well. Eyes in the right place. Gave Defensive Coordinator Dave Huxtable confidence to play him more, because Moore had practiced much better than him up to that point.
• Not going to recruit his own players that are Juniors and Seniors approaching graduation. Going to respect them and coach them. Help them and hold them accountable. If a player feels like this isn’t the best fit, we’ll talk about it. I’m not going to kiss players butt because of a rule change. Ultimately that’s not how we do business here. If you don’t feel like this is where you want to be, then it’s not the right fit.