NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren met with the media today after practice before the Wolfpack’s matchup against Duke this Saturday. You can watch the video ABOVE, and read the transcript BELOW.

Duke does a good job of tackling in the backfield, in the sacks. How’s your preparation gone this week to combat that?

Really aggressive defense. Statistically, TFL, sacks, force fumbles, they’re one of the best in the country.

And so it’s a huge challenge. And it’s fundamentals, it’s pride in your blocking assignment, it’s understanding of the looks you get and what can come out of them. And then schematically, we gotta do good things to protect them.

We gotta be smart. You don’t wanna stand back there and drop back protection all day against what these guys do. They’ve done a great job, they’ve got good personnel.

Their defensive ends are fun to watch. Their corners are playing at a high level. Safety #2 is really a good contact speed player.

And a lot of respect for what they do, and excited for the opportunity to play with our guys against them. It’s gonna be a fun game. I’m sure.

Will it be challenging for CJ (Bailey), the young quarterback, identifying the pressure and making the right calls.

Yeah, I mean, it’s no different than the other games. I mean, he’s seen a lot already in his time.

And I don’t know if it gets harder than going to Death Valley in your first start, seeing all the stuff Clemson does. I think he’s well prepared for what could come. And this comes down to execution.

I’m sure you were aware of how Justin Joly could be used. But as you go through the season and see how much of a mismatch he has, different than J-Sam, obviously, but same kind of a mismatch. What is it like having that in the toolbox?

He’s kind of a blend of Jalen Samuels and Cary Angeline.

I mean, there’s a big receiving target, tight end that you can have, but also a guy that can really run well once he touches it. So yeah, we’re super excited about not only what he’s done, but the improvements, and he’s still got a lot of upside. There’s a lot that he can continue to work on, he knows that.

He’s a really a hard worker, that’s one thing you like about Justin. He shows up every day and works really hard, and so he’s dedicated to improving. And as a coach, that’s all you can ask for, is to get a talented player with a good attitude that wants to get better.

In general, what is the advantages of having a flex tight end versus a third or fourth receiver out there?

The blocking schemes, he’s 250 pounds, so you can get him in the box and do different things with him. And a lot harder to do that with a 180 to 200 pound guy and expect him to hold up blocking defensive ends and outside linebackers. So the number of formations you can be in where you have a tight end that can move around, you see it all over the NFL, versus four wides where it’s four wides.

It’s just more versatility.

Davin Vann came back for another year. He could have gone to the NFL and probably gotten drafted last year. What was the conversation like with him when he told you he was coming back and just how huge has his presence been for this team both on and off the field?

I think those conversations always start with one thing. Do you think you can get better? In our conversation, he said, ‘yeah, there’s things I need to get better at.’ So that’s where it started.

And then let’s go through the process. Let’s get the information we can get from all the GMs that we know and call people on the phone and let him have those conversations, not just me telling them what I’m hearing, and then sit back down. And he knew that if he had a year that he could have, that he could elevate.

And he said there’s 20 defensive ends on the board in the draft room. He’s at the bottom and those guys go pro. Well, now he’s at the top, and now there’s a new 20.

And if you play well, then all of a sudden you’ve made yourself a lot of income in one college year. In some cases, guys go from seventh round to third or fifth round to second. And you’re talking about generational money.

And so it is betting on yourself in a way. And if you know you can improve, it’s a good bet. And in Davin’s case, to answer your question, I was over the moon when I knew he was coming back.

I knew I could help him. I knew he could benefit from it, not just as a player, but as a person. And become a vocal leader, which he has.

And so his growth is exponential that way, too, as far as being the alpha of the team. And when he talks, people listen. And a year ago, he just put his head down and go to work, and now he’s leading.

How much have you talked to some of your seniors and grad students about this being the last home game?

A lot. We started the conversation in front of the team on Sunday with pictures of guys that will play their last game at home. And I’ve told them stories about what that means for me as a coach and what it meant to me as a player.

And then you’re just challenging guys. Like, ‘hey, we want these guys to lead their last walk up the tunnel after the game to be as memorable as going out to see their families.’ And we have to earn that, a really good opponent.

And I’ll do something with the team at the hotel Friday night, and it’s always a special deal where I’ll get each one of those guys up in front of the room and go through their life, basically, at NC State. And give them the honor and credit that they deserve.

What’s that like emotionally, even as a coach? You’ve spent so much time with these players. When they come out of the tunnel, their families, and you get to have that embrace. What’s that like emotionally, because they’re more than players?

It’s pretty heavy, and that’s one of the things when you stay at a school 12 years. I’ve known the guys I’ve recruited, 15, 16, 17, 18 years old.

And then all of a sudden now they’re 23 years old, and they’re graduating. Some of them engaged, and they’re playing their last game. There’s a lot of memories, a lot of love.

And so it means a lot to me to be a part of the journey. And that’s the thing I love about coaching football. I actually get to have an integral role in helping raise somebody else’s sons and helping him hopefully reach the dreams that he has for himself while he’s here.

For someone like Timothy McKay, who I’m sure you met at a very young age, and he was obviously young when he enrolled here. But to see two degrees later, or maybe three for all I know, everything that he’s achieved and experienced at NC State after whatever age he was when you first met him.

Yeah, eighth grade. I mean, he was in the room when his brother was being recruited here.

And we kind of joked about it, like ‘I’ll be back for you someday.’ And that’s how it ended up. And he’s done a lot here.

He’s played a ton of snaps, played tackle, played guard. Been a really solid leader for our football team, works the way you want guys to work. And academically, I mean, he’s one of the standards of how you become a student athlete, doing all those things in the classroom that he’s done.

How would you describe this class?

I don’t know if I can put it in words. Each one of these groups is different, but at the same time, they resemble each other. They’re guys that have invested and have long stories that have ups and downs in them.

And they’ve overcome them and become better versions of themselves through adversity. There’s a lot of pride in it for me in seeing that growth and because I knew where he was. And a lot of things that these guys go through aren’t public things.

And so you see a senior that’s smiling and crying on senior day. I see a guy that I knew since he was 14, and how far he’s come. And I remember the things he’s been through and the great things that he’s done.

And so it’s not like a eulogy, they’re not passing away. But you certainly look at it almost like you’re sitting there looking at their life going backwards a little bit as a coach. And this class is no different than the others.

It poured a lot of work into our program.

How is it different when you’re celebrating guys who’ve been here four, five, six years as opposed to some of the guys that were only here for one season?

It’s different, but there’s still solid things, like Jordan Waters and I went fishing together this summer and spent a lot of time talking.

I’ve gotten to know him very well and have great respect for him. Grayson and I are out there cracking jokes at each other today, like you build friendships with these guys that will sustain their college life. And some of them are deeper than others.

It’s really about the things that happen and the time you’re with them.

And I do try to do that. I try to have as many memories as I can with these guys.

Redshirt Senior Running Back Demarcus Jones met with the media after practice yesterday. He broke down what it means to stay healthy in his final season, what this school means to him and what it’s like to be a leader to the younger Running Backs.

You can watch the video ABOVE, and read the transcript BELOW.

You’ve had injuries on and off virtually your whole career. What’s it been like to stay relatively healthy this season and get to make some plays?

It’s just a blessing. You never know when you can go down.

I’m just thankful to be back out there with my guys in my last year. Just thankful to get the opportunity.

Walk us through that spin move on Saturday.

It just happened.

We practice things like that every day, but when it happens, it happens. It’s almost second nature.

Doeren mentioned when y’all were looking at some of that game tape, looking at that spin move, a lot of the guys were really cheering, ‘hey, look at Demarcus.’ What does it mean to have that level of camaraderie in this locker room, at this point in the season, where guys are really pulling for each other like that?

We actually feed off of each other. I feed off of other guys making plays. We’re happy to see each other be successful. We’re trying to get in a groove these last few games.

You’ve played a bunch of different roles this Fall, whether it’s blocking or handoffs in the backfield, just what have you enjoyed about this season?

Just mainly just making it this far, like she said. I had injuries last year, but really, I’m just thankful, just to be able to do what I can do. I do whatever they ask of me. It doesn’t matter what it is. If they ask me to go play linebacker for a snap, I’ll go do my best.

What is it like to have two members of your family here?

It’s phenomenal, just being able to have blood here, just being able to be around them every day, people I grew up with.

How has Isiah kind of made things a little different, having a younger teammate who’s also a relative?

So actually, when we were younger, he hung around me and another older cousin of his. So it’s almost like having my little brother here. I try to do better, try to have a great attitude every day, just show him what it’s like to finally get old.

But I also encourage him to stay as young as possible.

Last year you guys came out on of the open date, ran the table, won five in a row. Does that give the returning players confidence that you can match that and do it again?

It definitely does.

We’ve  got to make sure that we take it day-by-day, not get ahead of ourselves, because that was last year. Just come out with the same mentality that we do every game, and just take it day-by-day.

You’ve been here for a long time. What has this program meant to you just as a human being?

It means a lot. I walked on here. I started out as a walk-on, earned a scholarship. So it’s just a blessing to be able to play in my hometown from Wendell, not too far from here, just a country boy.

So just being around here at a blue-collar school, it’s just a blessing.

How much do you embrace the mentorship role? I mean, it seems like every time you talk to a young running back, they throw out the name  Demarcus Jones as a big influence, not just on the field, but adjusting to college life, playing college ball. What does that mean to you?

To finally be in it, it’s crazy.

I used to look at the older guys and be like, ‘I’ll never be that old.’ I try to be the same person every day, try to make them laugh, and let them know that it’s still a game that we play at a young age, just enjoy it. There’s going to be ups and downs, so just enjoy it all, embrace the journey.

Thoughts on Duke

They show a lot of different looks, blitz-wise. So we gotta be on our P’s and Q’s. They force a lot of turnovers.

We gotta make sure we protect the ball and just attack head-on.

You had rivalry games, I’m sure, between Wake Forest, Heritage and Roseville in high school. What’s in the water in that area of the state? And do you have a favorite memory from that rivalry?

Really, I don’t know. I personally think North Carolina football is the best football in the country. We’re all friends outside of it. When we play, it’s almost like it looks like bad blood, but at the end of the day, we still talk to each other outside of it.

We go out there and just honestly give our best shot.

Y’all could earn bowl eligibility this week. Is that something you’re actively thinking about or just let’s get out of this one with the win?

Yeah, we’re trying to take it day by day.

Of course, that’s in the back of our mind. But we also want to just win out and not focus on the future.

Sophomore Cornerback Brandon Cisse met with the media yesterday after practice. He talked about what was like to get back on the field after missing three games due to injury, what Duke presents and what Senior All-ACC Cornerback Aydan White has meant to him.

You can watch the video ABOVE, and read the transcript BELOW.

What was it like for you getting back out there this past weekend?

It was definitely good to be back out there flying around, making plays. I think that’s when I’m at my best is when I’m confident. And I feel like when football is going right, everything else in my life is going right.

So it was good to be back out there making a lot more plays.

What are you seeing from Duke as you go into this weekend?

A very talented group at receiver. That quarterback can make every throw. I think this is going to be probably the best group of Wide Receiver’s we’re gonna see all year coming into this game.

So they’re probably the best group I’ve evaluated and broken down myself. So it’s going to be a good test and we’re going to have to match up really well.

This is your first year playing at outside corner. Over the course of however many games you’re in this season now, what are some of the lessons you’ve learned about yourself?

I would say you always have to have that next play mentality. I think I kind of found that out versus Clemson.

I made a big play on the post and then the next play I gave up a fade. So I think it’s things like that, being consistent, just knowing who I am and just knowing all the abilities God’s gifted me with. And I can make every play when I’m confident.

So I just have to really trust that. And I’m making plays when I’m confident. So when I’m confident, I feel like I can do anything.

How motivated are you underclassmen to send the seniors out on their last home game?

It’s very motivating. Guys like Davin Vann have played a ton of snaps here. AB (Anthony Belton and all those guys, Aydan White, he’s in my room.

So he’s been a great mentor to me. So it’d definitely be something bigger than myself to send those guys out on the right track.

I think we treat every game the same.

I don’t think it’s any more personal, depending on who we’re playing. I think, obviously, we look back at it, and I think things kind of turned after we played them last year. But we’ve got to treat every game the same.

We know they’re a really good group, but we gotta focus on this game, not worry about last year’s game. This one right here is the only one that matters. So we’ve got to go 1-0 this week.

Stanford tested you a few times this week, and you were able to make those pass breakups. What was it like in your first game back, being able to make those plays to build that confidence?

I mean, there’s nothing like it when you’re out there making plays. They had a really good wide out.

You hear about a good wide out all week, and you want to go out there, and you want to shut them down. So when you get those opportunities to match up with a guy like that, I pride myself on wanting to be one of the best corners in the country, right? That’s my test right there. When I got the matchup, I feel like I made the most of my opportunities

Did the wide outs you competed against in practice help you prep for Duke?

Yeah, definitely.

All of them are great receivers. Noah (Rogers), Wesley (Grimes), Terrell (Anderson), Keenan (Jackson), Dacari (Collins), they’re all good wide outs. And they test me each and every day.

So each and every practice is going to be a big test for me. One-on-one, when we get those kind of periods, it prepares me only to be better on Saturday. So I’m pretty sure I make them better as well.

What’s this Cornerback room been like this year with you and Aydan, but also guys like Devon Marshall, Jackson Vick, guys are stepping up for the opportunity.

I think it’s big to show that we got depth everywhere. One guy goes down, another guy comes in and make big plays.

I think that’s always been the standard in our room, is to play as elite as the person before you or be the best player you can be. Everybody in that room wants to be the best corner. And I think that just pushes all of us.

But the crazy thing about it is, all of us love each other. Like you wouldn’t think we’d compete like that. You know what I’m saying? We all love each other. We all want to see each other do great.

So it’s big.

What have you picked up on Duke quarterback Maalik Murphy?

He’s a great quarterback, can make all the throws. He’s big, got great size, and he’ll pick you apart if you let him pick you apart.

He can make every throw. He’s strong, he’s physical, and he’ll stand in the pocket, take a hit for someone to make a big play. So he’s going to be a good test for sure, because he can throw it all over the place.

You mentioned Aydan White. This is a guy going out there on senior day. What has his mentorship meant to you as one of the younger guys coming up? 

It’s definitely special. That’s kinda like an older brother to me. I’ll never forget the day I came in here, and he kinda took me under his wing.

He’s one of the top cornerbacks in the country, and he still has every tool, you know what I’m saying? So he’s definitely been a great piece of my learning curve. He’s definitely helped me mature a lot faster than some other people have. I can’t put it into words how much he means to me as a person.

He’s kinda like an older brother, just even off the field, he’s always checking up on me, always calling me man. I really love that guy.

NC State’s CJ Bailey isn’t simply the best True Freshman Quarterback in the nation currently, he’s the #6 overall Quarterback in college football after Week 10 according to 247 Sports’ Clint Brewster.

True freshman signal caller CJ Bailey for NC State has been phenomenal. He’s tossed nine touchdowns over the last four games and has completed 72 percent of his throws. Bailey was lethal on Saturday in a 59-28 win over Stanford, completing 90% of his throws and three touchdowns with no interceptions. He’s the full package at the quarterback position. At 6-foot-6, 190-pounds he’s seeing the field and delivering with anticipation and conviction. (247)