WATCH: CJ Bailey’s Postgame Press Conference After NC State’s Win Over UNC

Sophomore Quarterback CJ Bailey met with the media this evening after NC State’s 42-19 win over rival UNC. He completed 70% of his passes for 201 yards and 2 touchdowns (0 interceptions). Bailey also led the Pack with 65 rushing yards.

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

Box Score
ACCDN Highlight Reel & Condensed Game
Dave Doeren’s Press Conference

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CJ, you jumped in there with Will (Wilson), but what’s it like for you on the short yardage situation to see him come in and be able to do his job at such a high level this year?

You know, I’m already getting ready for the next play when it comes to short yardage, because I already know he’s going to get the first down. So, my mindset is as soon as he goes in, don’t worry about nothing else but the next play, because I already know what’s going to happen. He might score.

Will has been a great asset for us. Our short yardage has been really great. Once we get in that red zone, we’ve been great too. So, I just applaud the Offensive Line. They did their job. I appreciate those guys up front.

What’s he like in the quarterback room? Obviously, as a Freshman, you’re still learning a lot, but what is he like to be with every day?

He’s great to be around. He brings the energy that I bring, and I love it. He’s a great guy, level-headed. He does all the right stuff.

You should see his routine. He gets up early before, an hour before he gets there early, get all his work in, and it pushed me to try to be as hard-working as Will, you know. We’ve got a lot of guys in our room. Lex (Thomas) is the same way. Lex Thomas, he’s a hard worker, and it pushed me to be better in my position as well.

As someone who got the start as a Freshman, seeing his development this year, does that kind of bring you back to where you were last year, and what kind of pride do you have?

I’ve got a lot of pride. I take a lot of pride in watching guys be great, and Will is one of those guys that’s great.

I give a lot to Coach Roper for preparing us well. You know, when it’s time, when our number gets called, he prepares us well to make the plays that he gives us.

I’m happy for Will. He stepped in and made plays when they were needed to be made, and he didn’t do too much. He took care of the ball, and that’s all we ask for.

Tonight, you move to 2-0 against UNC in your career at NC State. First, how does that feel? And also, how does it feel to kind of be able to back up your comments that you made about UNC in the offseason, you know, regarding Bill Belichick?

You know, it feels good to just get a win. Period. I was introduced to the rivalry last year, and it was hectic, you know, especially at the end. I just wanted to make a statement coming into this game, and we did. We put up 42 points as an offense, and that’s great. It’s good to back up what I was saying, but that’s not really a big factor, you know.

As long as we won, that’s all I care about.

To piggyback off your answer, sir, you scored touchdowns the first four drives. How critical was that set of tone, and was that an emphasis going into the game?

When we get that coin toss, and they give us that ball first, I feel a sense of confidence. Everybody’s got confidence in us going out and scoring, so let’s make it happen, you know. Every time we get that ball, that’s what our thought process was, try to get in the box, you know.

And that’s what our offense did, and it started with those guys up front. I can’t keep too much, because it’s just show we can move the ball and do whatever, as long as those guys are willing to allow us to do it.

In your career so far, you’ve yet to have a turnover in the red zone, over 30 touchdowns in that time, between rushing and passing. What about getting down into the 20, makes you such an efficient quarterback at making decisions with the ball?

Once we get down there, since I got here, Coach Roper put it in my head…’Be needy, not greedy.’ When you get in that red zone, it’s going to come to you. Just don’t try to force anything. Don’t try to be extraordinary, because we got points. We always got three points in our back pocket, you know what I mean? So, when I get down there, that’s my first thought, take care of the ball, and we’re going to score, if it’s from running the ball or passing.