Doeren Speaks about the Abrupt Ending to NC State Season

To say Doeren’s demeanor at his makeshift press conference was overly frustrated, is an understatement.

“I thought it was fake news…We knew we were going to win, especially with how we prepared.”

Less than an hour after hearing of the cancelation of the Holiday Bowl, Doeren met with media in an open ballroom of the team hotel. The mood was low, lots of shrugs and head shakes.

Doeren said that he learned of the news from a call with Boo Corrigan, minutes before the news hit Twitter.

“We had no clue they [UCLA] were up against that. I don’t feel like it was very well handled from their University. Would have been great to have a heads up.”

Yes, you heard that right. Everything was “fine”, when apparently it very much was not. The disrespect that this all was covered up so tightly, without any effort for a Plan B, is infuriating. State spent Christmas away from family, sleeping out of a hotel, doing what they need to to be “safe” and UCLA leaves them hanging.

“Feel undercut there.”

100% DD.

When asked about finding a new opponent, Doeren seemed to keep his distance from the situation.

“There’s a lot of logistical things. Do we still have a hotel tomorrow? Is the baseball stadium available…can someone pay to be out here? I’m not going to schedule a team for tomorrow and not prepare a quarterback for the blitzes he’s going to see. Is it possible, yeah, but who knows.”

There was one thing that Doeren wanted to make clear. This was a team that fought for those nine wins. That the defense came through without seven starters. Everything they got, they deserved. His biggest worry was about this team and their future.

It will be a long night in San Diego. We’ll update if any news pops up about a possible game to be played anywhere in the world.

Thanks to WRAL Sports Fan for the broadcast.