What Dave Doeren had to Say to the Media 2 Days Before UCONN

NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren met with the media today with the season opener only 2 days away. Here’s what he had to say.

On why Davin Vann was awarded the #1 Jersey…

His daily strain and the way he plays the game is really hard. The impact he makes on the line of scrimmage…the disruption he creates. The way he leads in the weight room. He won the award for the hardest worker in the summer program…strongest player. The way he’s grown as a leader. Similar to how Bradley [Chubb] was here, he’s a spirited guy and plays with an edge. Sometimes that’s a double-edged sword for guys, but he’s learned to use it the right way. Really proud of his growth on and off the field. To wear the #1, you have to be dominant in many ways.

On the Tight Ends coming back from injuries in 2022…

Chris Toudle’s had a really good camp. He’s been really consistent. You can see he trusts his body now. He’s using his arms. He’s using his shoulders. He’s doing some good things in the run game, which is progress for him. He’s primarily been a ball catcher for us at that position, but he’s growing as a blocker.

Trent Pennix has been in and out of camp with some minor things. He’s been great this week, so it’s been good to have him back in there. But he hasn’t been able to go through the entire thing like Chris Toudle has. Should have both of them going into the first game.

On how he’s feeling heading into the opener…

You think you know what you have going into the first game, but under the lights there’s gamers. Sometimes guys emerge, and sometimes guys shrink. So I’m anxious to see the guys on gameday. I’m excited to see them play. They’ve worked hard and it’s a really close knit team. So, for me it’s just kind of anxious, I want to see it. I want to get out there on the grass with them. Once we know kind of how they are, and get the jitters out of some of the younger players that we’re playing.

Last years games don’t mean anything. Last years teams don’t win this years games. We know UCONN’s a better football team…a different football team. We’re also a different football team. Watching their film, they were a much better football team as the year went on.

On watching UCONN’s new QB Joe Fagnano from Maine…

Have had the chance to watch him compete against a lot of people. He’s a good Quarterback. He knows their offense. He’s got good size. He’s poised in the pocket. He’s a guy that can move around. He’s not necessarily a guy that can run all around, but he runs well enough to hurt you. He and the offense have their history together.

On how UCONN improved throughout the 2022 season…

They are a really good running football team. They are a physical team on offense that doesn’t turn the ball over. Those two running backs could play for anybody. They’re really good players. Defensively they got better and better as the year went on. They just got used to what Coach Mora wants in a team. There is a reason they won 5 of their last 7 games.