NC State football locker room notebook: Experience showed up when it counts
NC State football held off a wire-to-wire effort from UConn Thursday night to start its 2023 campaign with a 24-14 win over the Huskies. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong and linebacker Payton Wilson, two of the sixth year seniors on this year’s squad, headlined the victory.
After the game, Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren, Wilson and Armstrong discussed the 1-0 start to the fall.
Experienced players showed up when it mattered most
Doeren complimented the efforts of both of his sixth-year captains Thursday night. Wilson led the team with 10 tackles and secured the team’s lone interception. Armstrong paced the offense with 2 rushing touchdowns and 96 yards on the ground.
When the veteran players play their best, the head coach said that typically leads to success.
“That’s what a six-year player should look like, right?” Doeren said. “They were the key guys at the end of the game, throughout the game. Usually, the better football teams I’ve been on, your seniors play like they’re running out of time.”
Armstrong thought last season was going to be his last playing college football. Now that he is back for his sixth and final year, he continues to play with the sense of urgency he maintained throughout his football career.
The signal-caller understands a road win’s importance and leaves East Hartford happy to be 1-0.
“I’ve played college ball long enough that you get a win on the road, it’s a big deal no matter who you’re playing, especially the first game,” Armstrong said.
Wilson elaborated on his own personal sense of motivation and preparation for this fall. He took on an increased leadership role this year and said he put in a lot of work to help the team lock in at the hotel before the game and them remain composed during the contest.
The linebacker knows any play could be his last, so he makes the most of every snap.
“I try to play every play as hard as I possibly can and, if I don’t, it’s something that doesn’t sit well with me,” Wilson said.
Armstrong flipped a switch Thursday, and Doeren loved it
Armstrong set passing records at UVA, but his mobility stood out Thursday night. He wore a green limited contact jersey throughout fall camp, and Armstrong relished the opportunity to embrace live tackling.
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“He likes contact,” Doeren said. “One time, he got hit, and he was like, ‘Where’s that guy? I want to go run him over.’ The guy’s just a linebacker playing quarterback. I love that about him.”
Doeren also said the rest of the NC State football team will feed off of that mentality.
The quarterback pointed out that enjoying contact is a part of loving football. Armstrong can make plays with his arm but, once he built some momentum rushing the ball, he was happy to help carry the offense on the ground.
“I just felt like the game needed my feet,” Armstrong said.
Notre Dame is up next…
NC State allowed just 14 points and 273 total yards, but Wilson was not satisfied with the defensive outcome. He knows the team needs to take another step forward to meet its standard for the rest of the fall.
“We’ve got to get a lot better on defense,” Wilson said. “We had a bunch of busted plays, a lot of rushing yards, and that’s not our identity.”
Doeren said there is always an opportunity to make significant improvements from week one to week two, and the head coach believes this hard-fought win gives the program a lot to work with. He specifically complemented the Huskies’ defensive front.
“Being in a dogfight like this was, I think, is good,” Doeren said. “It pressed our guys. They were challenged.”
