MILLER: "We’re Ready to Get This Show Rolling"
Every season, the ACC conference schedule proves to be a daunting challenge for each of the 14 teams to overcome. N.C. State’s first opponent in conference play will be Florida State.
The Seminoles have been a historically prominent force, but Wolfpack redshirt sophomore linebacker Brock Miller believes that N.C. State is ready for the challenge.
“Florida State has a really talented team,” Miller said. “Their skill positions are really fast, and their offensive linemen move really well. That’s just what we expect from Florida State. They’re going to be fast, and they’re going to be physical.”
The Pack’s biggest threat on the opposing offense will be one of the ACC’s best running backs: Cam Akers. The Clinton, Miss. product has already picked up 499 rushing yards on 98 carries with six touchdowns to his credit, and in the air he has 13 catches for 97 yards and two scores. Aware of his skillset, Miller knows how much of a threat Akers can be if left unchecked.
“He’s a really good back, and he runs really hard,” Miller said. “We’re going to have to great job of running at the ball. It’s going to take more than one guy. We’ve been practicing all week wrapping up and holding on, waiting for the guys to come in. As long as we run to the ball, we’ll be all right.”
One of the biggest advantages the Seminoles will have won’t even be playing between the end zones. Doak Campbell Stadium houses one of the most boisterous fan bases in the country, and the eruption of support for Florida State can be overwhelming. This, however, is nothing new for Miller and the Wolfpack.
Having already faced a raucous environment in West Virginia, the team has already experienced what that kind of noise can do. Adding in the fact that the upperclassmen spent the season prior facing Clemson in Death Valley, Miller remains unwavered that the team will adjust to the challenge.
“West Virginia had a really good stadium and a really good fanbase,” Miller said. “We’ve played in hostile environments before. I think it’s about not beating us. We can’t let the crowd get to us. We can’t let the hostile environment get to us. We’ve got to perform and do the things we can do.”
With the Mountaineers defeating the Wolfpack two weeks ago, the blemishes in the Wolfpack’s repertoire became more apparent. However, with N.C. State bouncing back with a win against Ball State, it appears that the Pack’s prospects are looking up.
“I think we did a great job of adjusting,” Miller said. “We took one on the chin, brushed it off, and got better. It inspired us and motivated us. After that West Virginia game, we had really good practices, and that’s how you win games: during the week.”
As much as the games against West Virginia and Ball State are indicators for how good or bad the rest of the season can go, they’re essentially meaningless in contrast to what lies ahead. The ACC slate is a different kind of monster. Miller and the Wolfpack have a brutal schedule ahead of them, and there’s nothing stopping what comes next.
“It’s getting big-time now,” Miller said. It’s time to work. Every game from here on out is going to be a grind. We’ve got to be great in practice. We’ve got to win the game during the week. I think the guys are really coming together and buying in, and we’re ready to get this show rolling."