NC State safety Ronnie Royal III met with the media to discuss preparing for Louisville’s explosive offense, maintaining intensity for all 60 minutes, and much more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the full press conference!
Louisville has one of the most explosive offenses in college football, with, I think, five plays of 50 yards or more. Does that change your game preparation or scheme, knowing what they do well?
For the defense, we’re really just focused on executing ourselves. It’s all about us. As long as we execute, do our job, and keep our foot on the gas, we’ll be all right.
What’s it been like this week in practice trying to keep the defense focused for all 60 minutes?
It’s been more intense, and we love that. For the players and coaches, we want to raise the intensity level so that when we get in the game, we already know what’s going to happen. The intensity’s already there, and it’s going to stay there throughout the entire practice and game.
Can you sense it during the games over the last two weeks, when the second half doesn’t have the same intensity as the first? Or is it something you notice when you look up at the score?
No, you can feel it. You can sense it. We’ve just got to do a better job coming out and playing better in the second half. That starts with the leaders and the whole team, defense and offense. It’s not just defense. It’s the whole team and the coaches as well. We’re going to do a great job, and we’ve been doing a good job of keeping that going.
Speaking of leadership, is there anything specific you want to implement during games to ensure everyone stays engaged and focused?
Yeah, I say, “Stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” As a leader myself, I’m always harping on about doing a better job of keeping my guys ready, because you never know which play will be the one that changes the game. Especially coming out of halftime, keeping those boys ready, locked in, with their energy up and high, because you never know. They could change up. They’re changing their plays like we’re changing ours. We just harp on halftime and staying ready so you don’t have to get ready.
