NC State Star LB Drake Thomas: "It's A Physical Game"

NC State star linebacker Drake Thomas discusses the rivalry matchup with North Carolina, his play, and much more with the media.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

I know that you guys wanted [more], but would beating Carolina be able to ease some of the disappointment, you think, for this season?
Yeah, I'd say so. A lot of things haven't necessarily gone our way or what we planned for this season, but we're always looking to the next game. The next game happens to be Carolina. And ending it on a positive note for the regular season would be a great way to end.

Does it motivate you more than a rivalry game, knowing you can kind of play spoiler maker for them?
Yeah, I'd say a little bit. We had someone come in here and they kind of spoiled our senior night. And to go in there and do the same thing, we want to compete and just look, it's the next game up. We want to go out there, play hard, and use the right way.

Your name's come up a lot since the BC game. Was it easy or hard for you to let that go and just get onto the next thing, after the way that game ended?
Obviously, it's hard. It's an emotional game, put a lot into it. And when something like that happens, you kind of just got to keep pushing forward. I know that the next time the play comes, I'll do everything that I can to prepare myself to be ready to make the play and hopefully, help win the game.

Growing up here, obviously, the fanbases for these two teams, they obviously talk a lot of smack and everything, but what about on the field? Is it more so too between the players too? Is there any bad blood between the players?
I don't have... It's not anything personal. There's obviously a rivalry. Tensions are high, fanbases don't like each other, so it's a physical game. There's a little bit of chirping going on, but anything personal, I don't have anything personal against anybody over there.

Is this week different for people like yourself who grew up in North Carolina?
Yeah, it's bragging rights. I know that's one of the biggest things. State fans, you win this one, they get to brag for a whole 365 days. They have those bragging rights, and that means a lot to them. It means a lot to us in the program as well, as far as recruiting, everything.

I've heard some commentators say in the last week, and Coach Scott Satterfield said they think you're the best defensive player in the ACC. I don't know if you've heard that, but how does that make you feel?
It's humbling. It's kind of crazy to think about. I feel like I've changed a lot since I first got here. I've adapted my game. My game has expanded and grown in so many ways, and it's just very humbling and even just a blessing to be even looked at in that sort of light.