NC State running back Hollywood Smothers met with the media following the Wolfpack's 53-34 road loss at Pitt Saturday evening.
NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Smothers’ interview.
On the team’s rut…
We’ve just got to continue to get better, learn from our mistakes, and figure out what’s going wrong. On offense, we’ve got to get a rhythm. When the defense is out there struggling, we’ve got to figure out to make plays. That’s what it comes down to at the end of the day: who can make the most plays. What did they have, 30 first downs? We had 15. We just have to keep competing and capitalize.
On not getting into the red zone…
It’s just us not executing on first down, getting positive plays, and getting into a rhythm. Those explosives are good and all, but it’s got to be consistent.
On why the offense can’t consistently get into a rhythm…
Really, it’s the little details in football. It’s just having the right alignment or taking that extra step. It’s the little things that we’ve got to zone in, focus on, and be consistent with so we can catch that flow.
If focusing on the little things was a priority during the bye week…
One hundred percent. We’ve just got to make it alive during the game.
On C.J. Bailey…
C.J.’s good. That’s the unique thing about him; he won’t ever get too down. As a leader, we need that from him. Even when he’s struggling, he’s always there front and center. He knows the things we’ve got to fix on offense. We all know. He’s not ducking his head. He’s not being a loser. Call it what it is, but he’s been who he’s been all year.
On other players stepping up in leadership roles…
One hundred percent. I’ve got to. Others do, too, if we want to change it around. We hate losing, so why not?
On what’s on the tables in these next four games…
These four games, we’ve got to win them. There’s no other choice. I’m tired of losing.
On what led to practice emphases not translating to the field…
Like I said, the truth is in the details. It might be an extra step on a route or for a lineman. It’s just the little things. When it’s game time, just focus. The main thing is being focused every play.
On what’s next…
We’re going game by game. You can’t win the game next week a week from now. We’ve got to focus on right now, Monday through Saturday, just one day at a time.
