WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Said Baby Giraffe Can Run a Little Bit (with transcript)

Redshirt Sophomore Running Back Hollywood Smothers met with the media after NC State’s 35-31 win over UVA today.

Smothers rushed for 140 yards (8.2 yards per carry), which is a new career high. He also rushed for 2 touchdowns.

He met with the media after the game, explaining why he had so much success in the second half, and gave CJ Bailey, who he affectionately called ‘Baby Giraffe,’ kudos for his running ability.

You can watch the video above, and read the transcript below.

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In the first half, you only had 25 rushing yards. In the second half, 115 on 12 carries. What was the biggest difference for you in the second half? How much do you kind of just enjoy kind of being able to put the offense on your back a little bit and just run like that?

I think the offensive line just got more comfortable, got a more understanding of who they were going to and just being out there.

They got a feel for it. So them guys up front just got the job done, opened up holes for me, gave me some space to work and just took off from there.

We just saw Sean (Brown) pretend to give you a water bath. What’s it like to play on a team that has so much fun and that’s so supportive, regardless of what side of the ball they’re on?

That just lets you know the locker room we’ve got. Like, I grew up with Sean Brown, honestly.

Everybody here is just family, and we support each other. Coming up to the second half, Sean Brown said, ‘You keep making plays, and I’m going to get the defense together.’ Just the camaraderie of this team, it’s where it needs to be.

It wasn’t how we liked it. It wasn’t a pretty win, but it just shows the grit that we have and the love we have for each other to keep fighting.

Obviously, you ran a lot, but CJ had two touchdowns as well on the ground. When you have a quarterback that can expand in his game and run like CJ has, speak to how helpful that is for the offense and for you as a running back.

Yeah, the baby giraffe can run a little bit, but it’s great to have him. He’s a player. Everybody knows CJ’s super talented.

He can change the game in many ways. He can beat you with his legs, beat you with his arms, so it’s just great having somebody they’ve got to game plan for, and watch out for. It just makes my job ten times easier, and I want to shout out to his leadership even more.

He was a big difference in that second half in the locker room, just talking to us, and bringing the energy.

How much have you fed off of the last six games last year, kind of going into this year? How much did those games carry over into this season?

Not much change for me, I want to say. Like, my preparation stayed the same.

My hunger stayed the same. Just trusting the process. Just knowing it comes with ups and downs.

A lot come with it, a lot don’t. Just trusting the process. I just stay faithful, trusting God. God’s with me in every battle.

I just go day-by-day, and just work in the locker room, and just spread that belief out throughout the locker room. It’s been easy for me, coming up with a plan and just trusting the process.

What is it like when you have that adrenaline of getting carry after carry after carry, and you see your offensive line opening up holes?

I want the ball. So that’s what I’ll be telling them. My offensive coordinator trusts me. The team trusts me to run the ball.

Just doing whatever I need to do to win. God made that happen for us. Whatever I need to do to put us in our best situation.

The guys up front made it easier for me.