Brennan Armstrong: "The Guys Know the Recipe"
No. 22 NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong met with the media ahead of the Wolfpack's upcoming rivalry matchup versus North Carolina Saturday evening.
NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Armstrong’s interview.
On what he’s thankful for within the context of playing for NC State…
I’m just thankful for the opportunity to play this game. I’m thankful for this team, thankful for the coaches that gave me the opportunity to play here, thankful for my teammates. I’m thankful for God, thankful for my family. I can go on and on. I woke up this morning, so that’s something good to be thankful for already.
On going from the South’s Oldest Rivalry to the Battle for the Old North State…
I’ve played UNC before. I get it’s a big deal here. It was a big deal at Virginia, too, when we played them. I kind of looked at that one as a rivalry when I was at Virginia. It doesn’t change my mindset going in. It’s just going to be an insane atmosphere at the Carter at 8 o’clock. I’m really looking forward to it.
On Robert Anae…
We’ve just strung good things together as an offense these past four games. We’re just looking to do that. We have an identity of what we want to do, how we want to create that, and what we need to do as an offense. Guys are just playing free and having fun. When you’re doing those types of things, good things are going to happen.
If North Carolina’s defense has changed since he faced them at Virginia…
No, it’s not different. It’s four down [linemen] with two backers in the box. They’ve got some nickel guy that’s going to run out there that can play man or zone. It’s not much different. We’ve played this defense — not them but this structure — multiple times already.
On K.C. Concepcion…
It’s really impressive. I’m super proud of him. He takes beatings, getting the ball that much. He’s been staying strong. He’s been a huge asset for our offense. He enjoys it, and that’s what keeps him going: just the next challenge and the next new thing that could be coming at him. As a true freshman, mentally he’s handling a lot of things really well. He’s had a lot of success, so that’s awesome and super motivating, but in general, the game, and how it’s played, he’s done everything really well.
On the biggest key to the last four weeks…
Having fun, not really caring, moving onto the next play whether it’s good or bad… We’re getting into a rhythm of who we are, how things need to be done, and how we win games here. We’ve solidified that. We understand that. The guys know the recipe and know how to get that done, and that’s what leads to wins.
On what football means to him…
It’s everything to me. It’s been my whole life. Whether it’s good or bad, in some ways it takes over your life. It’s been a blessing. I wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have gone to college if it weren't for this game. I might’ve gone into the service like my dad and followed his footsteps. I wouldn’t have gotten an education, never been opened up to these experiences. Being from a small town in Ohio, I would have probably just went into the military and come back to Ohio, and then there’s my life, just finding a job there. Being here in this game has given me so many opportunities, so many different avenues, so many different relationships that I’m super, super grateful for. I don’t really have words other than I’m super grateful for it and that I wouldn’t be here if it weren't for the game.
On what he’s learned over his collegiate career…
How to be a man, how to grow up, what’s it’s like to be put down and have to battle through. That happens in everyone’s lives, but mine’s in the spotlight. People see it. People hear about it. I think that’s even tougher, and I think I’ve handled it really well. It’s just made me stronger. That stuff is tough. It’s not easy. Everyone goes through it, but being in the spotlight makes it a little bit more amplified. I think I’ve handled that really well.
On his inner circles helping him grow…
I’ve got buddies at home. I’ve got my mom and dad. I’ve got my girlfriend. There are a lot of people that have been in and out that I’ve talked to just to give me strength and build me back up. I’ve always thought I was really mentally tough, but everyone hits their lowest low, and I’ve hit my lowest low at some point, and I need help sometimes. You find people that support you, and that gets you back up, and you keep going. I wasn’t ever going to stop, but sometimes you just need a little support, and then you keep going. My mom, dad, brother, girlfriend, really close friends, guys here — there were a few guys in the locker room that were really sticking with me hard and encouraging me — you always need those types of people in your life.
If he’s surprised he’s in this position after the Louisville game…
I knew I was always capable. I just didn’t think things were in the right place at that time. It just wasn’t. It is what it is. Flat out, it just wasn’t there overall. We built to where we’re at now. I’d love to play them now. It is what it is, and things are now moving. It’s a different direction, a different mindset, a different frame from what we had. Coming off that bye week helped us. You look back on it, and you’re just like, "Dang…” Doing what we’ve done with four straight right now, getting a chance to win nine, and moving onto a bowl game to win 10, that’s huge for us. That’s a big deal for this program. That’s our goal, and that’s what we’re looking forward to.
On his last college home game…
I’ll sit back and enjoy it, but I just really want to win. All I think about is winning, so I think I’m going to take it all in once the game’s over. I’m so locked in on focusing on the job at hand, and I’ll worry about those types of things after. I just want to be there for my teammates, be ready to go, and give everything I have on the field because it is my last game before we have a little time off before the bowl game.