White, Wilson and Sumo Speak With Media After NC State’s 27-14 Victory Over Texas Tech

Cornerback Aydan White, Linebacker Payton Wilson and Running Back Demie Sumo met with the media after NC State’s 27-14 victory over Texas Tech tonight. You can watch it here, or check out a bulleted breakdown below.

Aydan White

• Defense as a whole played really really good. Had 4 takeaways. D-Line got back there and rattled the quarterback to throw those picks to us.
• With them being a tempo team, we wanted to stop them on first down, so they can’t go tempo on 2nd down. We did that a fair amount of times. They played 100 snaps last week, so we wanted to limit them.
• Seeing that much green is a DB’s dream. I saw my boys building a wall for me, and there was only the quarterback, and I knew they were going to take care of him. Easy touchdown.
• Anytime Payton’s [Wilson] on the field, he’s a factor anywhere he’s at. Having him on the field and being healthy. It takes strain off of everybody else when he’s on the field.
• Don’t think I’ve had a pick-six like that since youth league. That was far. Not in high school. That was a long run.

Payton Wilson

• First off want to thank God. Been going through some stuff, and He’s been there for me. Want to thank Coach Doeren and Coach Gibson for always being by my side.
• It was awesome. I love playing with the guys. I love Tanner. I love Drake. I love Isaiah. I love all them boys on the defense. It means the world to me to get to go back out there and be able to compete with them. We’ve built a great bond here. It’s truly awesome.
• We’ve talked about this for so long [Drake Thomas and Isaiah Moore], but we haven’t all been able to be out there through all the injuries. The three of us believe we are the three best linebackers in the country. If you try to run the ball, well, good luck to you.
• Haven’t played ball in a year-and-a-half, so just getting my confidence back…getting my mental back. To be able to play a whole game without my body hurting. Went through a lot to get where I’m at today.
• Maybe in the past we haven’t always had the best secondary. That’s what the media used to say, but I think we have the best secondary in the ACC, if not the country. We know that those guys are behind us, and we know when they throw the ball, it’s either going to be a PBU, or they are going to be there to tackle them down. We’re not going to have any more of those busts. It’s so experienced back there. They’re exceptional.

Demie Sumo

• Coach Doeren had my back, because he let me go back out there, and let me prove to myself and everyone else that I’m capable of making touchdowns and making plays. I really appreciate him again for giving me the opportunity after something so bad.
• We’ve got a lot of plays we haven’t used. That’s just one you’ve seen before [Thayer Thomas trick play]. There’s way more…that’s all I’m going to say.
• Thayer’s got a little arm on him. I almost lost the ball because the lights were so bright, and the ball went so high in the air. Props to him for a good ball.