Raleigh, NC – In a commanding display of football, the North Carolina State Wolfpack triumphed over the Campbell Camels with a resounding 56-10 victory on Saturday. Coach Dave Doeren took to the podium after the game to express his gratitude to the dedicated fans, analyze the team’s performance, and discuss the road ahead as they prepare for tougher challenges in the coming weeks.
Thanking the Fans
Doeren opened his press conference by acknowledging the unwavering support of the fans who remained in the stands even as the game turned into a blowout. “I looked up in the fourth quarter, and I saw you guys still there in the upper deck. You guys are awesome,” he stated. The coach emphasized that the commitment shown by the fans plays a significant role in the team’s morale and recruitment efforts. “I don’t know your names, but I see you and it means a lot. We appreciate everyone who comes out to support our guys.”
Game Overview: Offense and Defense Shine
In his analysis of the game, Doeren expressed satisfaction with both the offensive and defensive units. “I felt like we played really well,” he said, highlighting the aggressive play-calling that allowed the team to build a significant lead early on. The Wolfpack’s offense showcased its explosiveness, with quarterback CJ Bailey completing over 80% of his passes and demonstrating a strong command of the game. “CJ is playing with a lot of confidence,” Doeren remarked, noting the quarterback’s ability to make plays with both his arm and legs.
Defensively, the Wolfpack fielded a number of young players, including Javon Bailey, who made his first start at nickel. Doeren praised Bailey’s performance, indicating that the team was able to rest some of its injured starters while still performing at a high level. “It was good to see a lot of players play,” he added, emphasizing the importance of depth and experience as the season progresses.
Special Teams: Areas for Improvement
While the overall performance was commendable, Doeren did not shy away from addressing the struggles of the special teams unit. “Catching a punt is so hard,” he said, expressing disappointment in the team’s execution in this area. However, he did find a silver lining in the emergence of Terrell Anderson as a viable punt returner. “That might be the thing I’m most excited about coming out of the game,” he noted.
Doeren acknowledged that many of the mistakes made were by freshmen, emphasizing the need for maturity and responsibility on the field. “Guys have to understand that it doesn’t matter what age they are; they need to handle the game,” he explained.
Strategic Decisions: Keeping Starters in the Game
When questioned about his decision to keep starters like CJ Bailry in the game during the third quarter, Doeren explained his rationale. “We haven’t been a team that has finished people this year,” he said. He wanted the starters to experience the importance of maintaining a lead and executing plays effectively. “I wanted them to feel that,” he added, recognizing the risks involved but believing it was necessary for the team’s growth.
CJ Bailey’s Development as a Quarterback
The press conference also focused on the development of CJ Bailey as a quarterback. Doeren reflected on Bailey’s growth throughout the season, noting that he has consistently given the team a chance to win games. “He’s not going to be perfect, but he’s playing hard and making plays,” Doeren stated. His ability to throw catchable passes and understand the offense has been crucial for the Wolfpack’s success.
The coach also addressed the importance of the passing game working in tandem with the run game. “You can’t be a dink and dunk offense with a good run game,” he explained. The balance between the two is essential for creating opportunities down the field. “We need to capitalize on those opportunities,” he urged.
The Road Ahead: Tougher Challenges Await
As the season progresses, the Wolfpack faces a more challenging schedule, and Doeren acknowledged the need for continuous improvement. “We have a lot of ground to make up,” he said, recognizing that the team must elevate its performance as they prepare for ranked opponents. The coach emphasized the importance of building confidence and cohesion within the team as they move forward.
“We got to get better every game,” Doeren stated, reiterating that the injuries on defense have made it difficult for players to gain experience and continuity. However, he remains optimistic about the team’s potential. “I thought we did a lot of good things on offense today and obviously get ready to go play in some crowd noise now and play against a much better opponent.,” he concluded, looking forward to the next matchup.