Noah Rogers: "It Shows The Talent That We Have"

NC State wide receiver Noah Rogers met with the media after the Wolfpack's 35-30 road win over rival North Carolina.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

There's two drops in the game, you're gonna come up and make that catch for two guys?
 I don't think I could have done it without myself. It was really my teammates beside me in my ear just saying, keep going, man. We already know what kind of player you are, you know, keep going.

And in my mind, like in the last week with a drop that could have been big for us, and you know, I'm trying to come out, start fresh, start fast for the team.

I put us in a bad position early, I feel like and all I could do is just keep going and keep fighting through it. My brothers, they were there for me and believed in me. So that's what made it easier for me. 

You grew up watching this game, your older brother is at UNC. What is it like to now be part of this rivalry and know that this is a huge play for the rest of eternity? 
Yeah, just honestly, going against my brother, he's 0-4 against NC State. And tonight was his senior night, so for me to still have to deal for him, and knowing that he's beat me in a lot of things in life, it's just great. But, you know, at the end of the day, it's love, though. I'm just glad to be a part of a team who just wants to win, like, who's will is there to fight. You've seen the night in previous years, it's been down to the wire, and we fought. And over the years, I've seen that, and I've seen all of this. It could be one play that changes everything. 

You do know this year hasn't gone as planned at times, but to get a win in such a big moment like this, what does that mean to you to end the regular season on such a high note? 
It's football, it's a tough game, you know, things are never going to be your way. And all I can keep telling myself is that I'm just being tested, and I'm going to have to keep fighting through it, fighting through it, and, you know, at the end of the day, everything is going to work out.

What does it say about this offense? There's so many young guys stepping up in big spots. What does it mean for you, Hollywood and CJ, to be able to come back to this team? 
It shows the talent that we have and where we can be with it. I'm a firm believer that there's multiple ways we can be a powerhouse offense. And, you know, playing with guys like that does nothing but better you because you're just constantly learning and playing with guys who want to win and want to get better. 

CJ was talking about how much he trusts you, how much you trust him. What does it mean to you to have that bond with CJ? 
Honestly, to see that, you know, last week he threw me the ball. The last play of the game didn't make it, but this week he came right back to me and showed that he really trusted me. Even though I had two jumps in the beginning of the half, it shows that fighting through and, you know, just believing in one another. And one other thing is just, you know, not putting CJ in bad positions as a young QB, you know. He holds us to a high standard and I hold him. We're going to get through things together. 

How would you describe what that relationship is like just between quarterback and receiver, especially in moments like this in a key game? 
First off, it starts in the offseason. You know, you build all that chemistry, you build all those reps, you know. That's where it starts. And then throughout the season, you just build and you keep continuing building, throughout the good and the bad. And no matter what, like, we don't put bad things in each other's ears. We just keep motivating each other and striving. So, by the end of the day, all we're looking for is somebody to make a play and that comes with having trust in each other.