Dylan McMahon: "I Have Big Shoes To Fill"

NC State center Dylan McMahon met with the media to discuss fall camp, the season opener against UConn, and much more.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

Third and short situations...
Third and short, goalline, fourth and short, you want to put it on our back, because that means if we go for it coach Doeren trusts us.

Frustrating at times last year with short-yardage problems?
Obviously we were terrible in fourth and 1. I’m not going to lie. Coming back to this year we have a point to prove that was a bad year for us and we’ll turn it around this year.

Thoughts on moving to center...
I love it. It’s fun.  I have big shoes to fill with Gibby, and he showed me the way on how to play center. I had to step in for him at the end, but to be able to focus on center and really get with Coach Tujague...  We have to run the offensive line, so to do that I’m focusing on my snaps and my steps at center.

Thoughts on UConn...
They are a really good defense.  They return ten starters and I think the defensive line is the strength of their defense. Jim Mora, the head coach, is a big defensive guy.

They are way better than when we played them last year. They finished out the season winning five of the last six.  It’s going to be a good battle for sure up front.

Thoughts on the guard position...
I’m there if they have questions, but they are experienced guys, like AC, Coop, and Eason. They’ve all been in games and played in games.  

It’s a learning curve, but we all have meetings together, and any guys who have questions I’m there to answer them.

Thoughts on Matt McCabe earning a scholarship...
That was awesome. That’s my boy. We’ve lived together the last two years.  To see what he’s done coming in at 230 pounds and now he’s 300 ... he earned every bit of that.  It was great to see.