Collin Smith: "Each of Us Has to Step up to the Plate"

NC State placekicker Collin Smith met with the media ahead of the Wolfpack's upcoming matchup versus Duke.

NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Smith’s interview.

“First of all, I want to say that Kanoah [Vinesett] has done a great job this year on field goals and extra points, but of course the one game I come in and play, we have the most kickoffs and field goals we’ve had all season. The leg was quite tired, but it felt really good.”

“For me, I wanted to explore my opportunities, but the culture here at NC State is great. I wanted to rejoin that culture, and I’m currently getting my MBA here at NC State, so that’s a tough thing to transfer. I wanted to come back and finish that out.”

“We have really good leaders here at NC State. It’s been a culture driven by the upperclassmen. We’ve been here five or six years. People like Payton Wilson, Drake Thomas, Thayer [Thomas], Trenton Gill in the specialist room… they set that standard, and we've kept it going throughout the years.”

“All trust. He trusted me, and I was able to step up to the plate.”

“Like I said, the culture’s been great. We stepped into big shoes when it comes to Chris Dunn and Trenton Gill. Each of us has a duty. Each of us has to step up to the plate. As leaders in the room, we’re calling other people up to the standard.”

“Absolutely. [Kickoff] is my job on Saturdays, and it’s my expertise. I take pride in that every single day.”

“[Todd Goebbel] is a great guy. I love the guy, but he’s very demanding. As you know, we’ve had the standard of really elite kickers and specialists. We’re not going to sacrifice that. Coach Goebbel’s going to be demanding as always.”

“I’ve had a couple of field goals before and a couple of extra points in the UConn game about two years ago. I’ve done that before, but a new duty in a different game is still a little bit nerve-wracking, but it’s just another day, just like practice."