NC State Football
MCLAMB: The Time Is Now
September 22, 2017
1,520
Last season is in the past. Every day is a new challenge.
NC State has consistently maintained that each game, each day, each individual rep is the moment to be focused on. There is nothing more or less to be concerned with.
This week’s game will put that approach to the test.
The Wolfpack lost a heartbreaker to Florida State at home last season, in a game that the team feels it should have won.
In its last road game against an Atlantic Division power, NC State came up short at Clemson despite seemingly having the game in the bag.
The reasons why the Pack came up short are well known. The plays that could have and should have been made have been went over ad nauseum by many.
They are still vivid memories but are not harped on as much by the team.
“When we look at last year, it definitely gives us a chip on our shoulder,” NC State senior tight end Cole Cook said. “It didn’t end the way we wanted it to. We made some key mistakes and that is something we don’t want to do this year. We know we have a good team this year and we know we can play anybody as long as we execute, do what we are supposed to do.
“We just want to go down there and play the best that we can. It will take care of itself.”
“Thinking about that game, it still hurts but really, just like last year, we lost a lot of games like that -- not only Florida State,” Nyheim Hines said. “This year the biggest thing for us has been to focus on finishing. If we finish, we don’t give away the game.”
For the Wolfpack, the mindset is simple; Treat every play as though it has special importance. If that happens, NC State will be fine when the bigger plays do arrive.
It is the same for the big games.
“I think we just have to execute in the big moments,” Stephen Louis said. “You always want to start off well in the conference. Our goal is to go undefeated in the conference. This is the first step to it. It is just the first game. It is the biggest game. It doesn’t matter who it is, it is a conference team so it is the first game and the first step towards us going undefeated in the conference.”
NC State will take its ‘win the day’ approach to wherever the schedule sends them.
That does not necessarily mean the Wolfpack are robots. They understand the wonderful chance that is out there and relish the opportunity to see where they stand against one of the best teams in the nation.
“Any year we go to Clemson. Louisville, Florida State or any opponent it is an opportunity for us to show what NC State is really about,” Hines said, “National TV, local TV, it is an opportunity for us. Going down to Tallahassee, it is really exciting for me. I have only been there once and it is a magical place so I am excited to go down there and play.”
“It is so exciting,” Cook said. “I look forward to this game every year. It is one where you look at the schedule and say, ‘Alright, we have got Florida State here.’ and especially with it being our first conference game. We are looking forward to going down there and playing well.”
NC State has consistently maintained that each game, each day, each individual rep is the moment to be focused on. There is nothing more or less to be concerned with.
This week’s game will put that approach to the test.
The Wolfpack lost a heartbreaker to Florida State at home last season, in a game that the team feels it should have won.
In its last road game against an Atlantic Division power, NC State came up short at Clemson despite seemingly having the game in the bag.
The reasons why the Pack came up short are well known. The plays that could have and should have been made have been went over ad nauseum by many.
They are still vivid memories but are not harped on as much by the team.
“When we look at last year, it definitely gives us a chip on our shoulder,” NC State senior tight end Cole Cook said. “It didn’t end the way we wanted it to. We made some key mistakes and that is something we don’t want to do this year. We know we have a good team this year and we know we can play anybody as long as we execute, do what we are supposed to do.
“We just want to go down there and play the best that we can. It will take care of itself.”
“Thinking about that game, it still hurts but really, just like last year, we lost a lot of games like that -- not only Florida State,” Nyheim Hines said. “This year the biggest thing for us has been to focus on finishing. If we finish, we don’t give away the game.”
For the Wolfpack, the mindset is simple; Treat every play as though it has special importance. If that happens, NC State will be fine when the bigger plays do arrive.
It is the same for the big games.
“I think we just have to execute in the big moments,” Stephen Louis said. “You always want to start off well in the conference. Our goal is to go undefeated in the conference. This is the first step to it. It is just the first game. It is the biggest game. It doesn’t matter who it is, it is a conference team so it is the first game and the first step towards us going undefeated in the conference.”
NC State will take its ‘win the day’ approach to wherever the schedule sends them.
That does not necessarily mean the Wolfpack are robots. They understand the wonderful chance that is out there and relish the opportunity to see where they stand against one of the best teams in the nation.
“Any year we go to Clemson. Louisville, Florida State or any opponent it is an opportunity for us to show what NC State is really about,” Hines said, “National TV, local TV, it is an opportunity for us. Going down to Tallahassee, it is really exciting for me. I have only been there once and it is a magical place so I am excited to go down there and play.”
“It is so exciting,” Cook said. “I look forward to this game every year. It is one where you look at the schedule and say, ‘Alright, we have got Florida State here.’ and especially with it being our first conference game. We are looking forward to going down there and playing well.”
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