Here is a transcript of N.C. State coach Dave Doeren’s presser this week:
Opening Statement: “To say it’s been a challenging year, it’s been my most challenging year as a head football coach. I want to say that this team and this staff has hung together and endured some really incredible peaks and valleys, and I’m proud of the resiliency of our staff and our team. As disappointed as I am and as our players are that we haven’t broken through and have been close, one thing I want to make sure everyone understands is that my and our players’ resolve and excitement has only grown.
There have been a lot of opportunities that we haven’t capitalized on, but what hasn’t happened is that no one has backed down, turned on each other or become negative. We’re scarred for sure, angry, motivated and together more than ever. I just want our fans to know we know you want better results and so do we. I also know that were never going to quit fighting and believing in what we’re doing. I know as a man of faith you don’t choose the test that God puts in your path you only choose how you respond to those tests. As a leader and the leader of this program I remain strong and positive and as excited and persistent as ever. I know there are always people that will doubt or hate or lose faith, but I know we’ll never quit fighting for you.
When we do break through it’ll be because we never quit and lost faith. “I’m really excited to get into this game week, not only because of who we’re playing but because it’s another opportunity to go to work with this team and this staff. We’re playing a very talented football team that’s had a good season and has a lot of experienced and skilled players. In our perspective it’s more about us than it is them. We really want to focus on playing our best football, playing with pride and having a lot of fun when we do it. After eight straight without a bye this week will be a great challenge for our guys and staff. This will be the last chance for a group of guys to play in this rivalry game, so we’re going to do everything we can to help them through it.”
On value on outcome of this game
“Not really. I’m looking at it as a one-week playoff and if we win we keep playing. A win would carry some momentum into the offseason, which is fun. That’s what I’m looking at, and in a season of almost we’d love to finish with a win against our rival. I’m sure it would make a lot of us feel better than we do today. We’re more concerned about this five day span here and getting our guys to okay the best they can so they can feel the gratification of their work.”
On value of taking about win at UNC two years ago
“Some of the guys were here for that and some weren’t. I think the guys that were here know that we can have success over there and the guys that haven’t it’ll be their first time playing there. It’s a November 22, 2016 different team for them and it’s a different team for us so it’s a new challenge. I’m sure it brings stability to some of them because they’ve been over there and had success.”
On last year’s game at home
“It was as bad you could have it. Everything went their way and it was kind of a flip of what happened here before. We played really well two years ago and played bad last year, and they played really well last year and they would probably say they didn’t play well two years ago. It’s an emotional game and you want be able to sustain highs and lows early to make it a four quarter game.”
On confidence of players for this week
“I think everyone on the outside sees what they see. When you’re in here you see a bunch of guys that have dealt with some very tough finishes and almost, and then you see them come back to support each other and fight through it. They do so with so much going on the outside that’s out of their control and have done it with resiliency and courage. Like I said they’re scarred and are more together than they’ve ever been because of all the things we’ve dealt with. Our guys have chosen to fight and not run and I’m proud of them for that. I’m sure they feel the same way I do and see this as an opportunity to go finish a game and get a win against a rival. It’s always a great thing to do.
On Josh Jones saying team will win after Miami game
“I think all the guys on both sides feel like they’re going to win the game. The bottom line is you have to put your money where your mouth is when you play. For him to be confident is great but now he just has to go and play well, and anytime you say something you have to back it up.”
On thoughts on Mitch Trubisky
“He’s a very accurate passer with great arm strength. He doesn’t miss a lot of throws but there’s passes that are broken up because there’s good defense as well. He understands their offense and distributes the ball well. He gets them out of trouble. He isn’t a guy that can run well but he is really good at evading rush and giving himself time and getting out of sack opportunities for other defenses. He’s developed and has taken his time there, now he’s seizing the moment and it’s impressive.”
On Ryan Finley assessment
“I thought he started a little shaky in the game and came on as the game went on. He missed the one throw at the end, which was unlike him. He’s been very accurate this season. I like the way that he’s battled and he’s playing with bumps and bruises like all the other guys are, but he’s fighting through it and playing hard. There’s things he can do better but he’s working hard to do that.”
On risk/reward for bringing Finley in
“I do. He’s mature and understands the system really well. He’s been able to get the ball to the right people in a lot of games. He’s made a lot of very accurate throws in tight windows and has given guys chances to make really good catches in tough situations. He’s only going to get better as time gets on, and it’s allowed Jalan (McClendon) time to continue to develop and get better as well. I’m excited he’s here.”
Opening Statement: “To say it’s been a challenging year, it’s been my most challenging year as a head football coach. I want to say that this team and this staff has hung together and endured some really incredible peaks and valleys, and I’m proud of the resiliency of our staff and our team. As disappointed as I am and as our players are that we haven’t broken through and have been close, one thing I want to make sure everyone understands is that my and our players’ resolve and excitement has only grown.
There have been a lot of opportunities that we haven’t capitalized on, but what hasn’t happened is that no one has backed down, turned on each other or become negative. We’re scarred for sure, angry, motivated and together more than ever. I just want our fans to know we know you want better results and so do we. I also know that were never going to quit fighting and believing in what we’re doing. I know as a man of faith you don’t choose the test that God puts in your path you only choose how you respond to those tests. As a leader and the leader of this program I remain strong and positive and as excited and persistent as ever. I know there are always people that will doubt or hate or lose faith, but I know we’ll never quit fighting for you.
When we do break through it’ll be because we never quit and lost faith. “I’m really excited to get into this game week, not only because of who we’re playing but because it’s another opportunity to go to work with this team and this staff. We’re playing a very talented football team that’s had a good season and has a lot of experienced and skilled players. In our perspective it’s more about us than it is them. We really want to focus on playing our best football, playing with pride and having a lot of fun when we do it. After eight straight without a bye this week will be a great challenge for our guys and staff. This will be the last chance for a group of guys to play in this rivalry game, so we’re going to do everything we can to help them through it.”
On value on outcome of this game
“Not really. I’m looking at it as a one-week playoff and if we win we keep playing. A win would carry some momentum into the offseason, which is fun. That’s what I’m looking at, and in a season of almost we’d love to finish with a win against our rival. I’m sure it would make a lot of us feel better than we do today. We’re more concerned about this five day span here and getting our guys to okay the best they can so they can feel the gratification of their work.”
On value of taking about win at UNC two years ago
“Some of the guys were here for that and some weren’t. I think the guys that were here know that we can have success over there and the guys that haven’t it’ll be their first time playing there. It’s a November 22, 2016 different team for them and it’s a different team for us so it’s a new challenge. I’m sure it brings stability to some of them because they’ve been over there and had success.”
On last year’s game at home
“It was as bad you could have it. Everything went their way and it was kind of a flip of what happened here before. We played really well two years ago and played bad last year, and they played really well last year and they would probably say they didn’t play well two years ago. It’s an emotional game and you want be able to sustain highs and lows early to make it a four quarter game.”
On confidence of players for this week
“I think everyone on the outside sees what they see. When you’re in here you see a bunch of guys that have dealt with some very tough finishes and almost, and then you see them come back to support each other and fight through it. They do so with so much going on the outside that’s out of their control and have done it with resiliency and courage. Like I said they’re scarred and are more together than they’ve ever been because of all the things we’ve dealt with. Our guys have chosen to fight and not run and I’m proud of them for that. I’m sure they feel the same way I do and see this as an opportunity to go finish a game and get a win against a rival. It’s always a great thing to do.
On Josh Jones saying team will win after Miami game
“I think all the guys on both sides feel like they’re going to win the game. The bottom line is you have to put your money where your mouth is when you play. For him to be confident is great but now he just has to go and play well, and anytime you say something you have to back it up.”
On thoughts on Mitch Trubisky
“He’s a very accurate passer with great arm strength. He doesn’t miss a lot of throws but there’s passes that are broken up because there’s good defense as well. He understands their offense and distributes the ball well. He gets them out of trouble. He isn’t a guy that can run well but he is really good at evading rush and giving himself time and getting out of sack opportunities for other defenses. He’s developed and has taken his time there, now he’s seizing the moment and it’s impressive.”
On Ryan Finley assessment
“I thought he started a little shaky in the game and came on as the game went on. He missed the one throw at the end, which was unlike him. He’s been very accurate this season. I like the way that he’s battled and he’s playing with bumps and bruises like all the other guys are, but he’s fighting through it and playing hard. There’s things he can do better but he’s working hard to do that.”
On risk/reward for bringing Finley in
“I do. He’s mature and understands the system really well. He’s been able to get the ball to the right people in a lot of games. He’s made a lot of very accurate throws in tight windows and has given guys chances to make really good catches in tough situations. He’s only going to get better as time gets on, and it’s allowed Jalan (McClendon) time to continue to develop and get better as well. I’m excited he’s here.”
