NC State LB Caden Fordham met with the media after the win over North Carolina.
What does it mean to have never lost a Carolina in your career?
I mean, it's awesome. Credit to these coaches, these guys on this team. We fought, fought back. It's been an amazing journey. Obviously, never losing to them. It's something I've always dreamed of coming here at NC State, and it's something that's emphasized here every year. So it was awesome to go out there with a bang.
The follow-up, y'all had a season-high four sacks. That has been something that y'all have struggled with this season, just kind of getting that pressure on the QB. What was that like to see him go down in the backfield?
It was awesome. Like you said, it's something we've been trying to focus on these last couple games, something we were getting better at. And it showed tonight, guys were doing their job, keeping the rush lanes tight. So it helped. It was awesome to get those sacks.
Yeah, do you ever – how often do you scheme against Wilson as a quarterback in practice, and what makes him so difficult to defend?
Yeah, I mean, honestly, in spring ball, he was running the ball a lot. And, I mean, he's – dude's a freak of an athlete. He's a big guy. He's a powerful runner. Thick lower body, so he's very, very hard to get down. And something we've tried to stop in practice, but it's been tough. So, no, he's a heck of a player. Worked out for us all season. I'm very proud of him.
Caden, what's it like for you to end your, home career and to stay with the win like this?
Like I said, I mean, it means everything. When you come here, this school, this culture, it's something that's talked about all the time. It's awesome to go out like that with a win.
There's nothing more I could ask for, and I'm so proud of this team, these coaches. I'm so glad we got that done tonight. Nothing more I could ask for as a senior going out like that.
And then just to follow up, the defense kind of was up and down at the beginning of the year, but it seemed to come on at the end. What's it just been like kind of working with everyone? Coach Eliot's had a tough time too this year. Just kind of seeing everyone rally together these last few weeks.
Oh, man. I mean, it's an amazing sight to see, playing for Coach Eliot and what he's gone through. He's such a mentor to all of us. And it's so awesome to be able to play for someone like him who cares so much about this game, us. It's been a blessing, having him come in. And then, like you said, with the defensive stuff, we just rallied back. We never gave up next man up mentality. That's what's that's what's built into us here. And it showed. And I'm so glad for these guys and these people in this building.
I think UNC had 11 yards rushing at halftime. What was it like to be able to turn them into a one dimensional offense?
Yeah, it's always a good thing when you stop the run game and that's something we pride ourselves on for sure. And it makes the game easier. You kind of get tendencies knowing that they're not going to run the ball. It's easier to get in pass coverage and match things up. So that worked out well.
Yeah, going back to Will Wilson. How important do you think having him on the team is for the defense in preparing for opposing teams?
Yeah, I mean, it's very difficult for opposing teams to try to stop that and prepare for it. It's another thing that they have to put on their list of things they have to stop. And it's awesome having them on our team, dudes hard to stop in those short yardage situations. They're huge plays in the game, fourth down conversions. I mean, it's something that wins ballgames, so it's awesome to have that on our side and be able to use that tool.
Yes, winding down for you. Obviously, you do get a bowl game, but it's winding down for you, sir. If you could speak to kids that were considering attending NC State, what would you say to them in regards to the future and the foundation that you have left for them?
Yeah, man, I would just say this university is awesome. The people here are awesome. When you come here, everyone's real. You know what you're getting. The culture here, it's real. It's not something that's just talked about. It's actually instilled into us every day. Coaches, players, people on campus, it's just genuine people here. And that's what I love about it. I love playing for this team, this university, this school. So anyone that's looking to come here, I mean, it's the best decision I've made in my life and I couldn't ask for anything more.
