NC State LB Isaiah Moore: "They Are A Great Challenge For Us"
NC State linebacker Isaiah Moore met with the media to discuss the upcoming matchup against Wake Forest.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.
What's it like trying to defend Wake and that offense?
It's definitely a very unique offense. Of course, everyone's seen the slow mesh that they do between the quarterback and running back, so understanding where your gap is and really holding your gap for longer than usual, is a biggest tee trying to contain that.
Growing up in Virginia, how have you come to appreciate the NC State, Wake Forest rivalry?
Yeah, this has been my fifth year playing them in the end of six years that I've been here. And every time it's a battle. Wake Forest is always a team that's hungry, always a team that's out to prove themselves, and they're really about to prove themselves after last week. So they're a very talented team. Coach Clawson does a great job over there with his guys and its going to be a challenge for us.
What did you learn from last year's game against them?
I was watching it on TV at home. I just had my surgery, watching it on TV last year, but they're a very explosive offense. They return a lot of guys from last year. Everyone knows Hartman's a great quarterback. Of course, they got great receivers that can run and catch, their O-line is very good. They got really good backs. So like I said, they're a great challenge for us.
How surreal was it to watch that third quarter with Wake Forest and Louisville, and what can you learn from that?
I think it just kind of went from bad to worse for the guys in the quarter, man. But I think that was a very uncharacteristic quarter for Wake Forest and who they've been the whole season. Louisville did some great things, but we know that's not really who they are on a game to game basis.
Can you look at the other games that you all played against them? You've seen this offense year, after year, after year, after year. Kind of know how to play it, when they do that little mesh thing. Can you go back and look at those and say, "We didn't do that rep well." Can you go back and look at those and say, "Hey, this is what we need to do?"
Yeah, always. You always look at past games and other teams that have played them. That's a part of the natural film study with any opponent. But like I said, they're a very unique offense. Controlling our gaps and maintain leverage on this back, and get the quarterback are the biggest keys.
What are you seeing out of MJ this week? Any differences just based off having the big moment last week?
Yeah, we're extremely happy for him and proud of him. We all knew that he was capable going out there and executing. He's really just stepped into his role on this week. He's next man up and he's taking control of that.