Dave Doeren: "I'm Really Proud Of The Way Our Kids Battled"
NC State head coach Dave Doeren met with the media after the Wolfpack's loss at Florida State.
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the press conference.
Opening Statement...
I’m really proud of the way our kids battled, we struggled offensively. Bailey came in and competed. Our run game is more than adequate, but we got to throw the ball better. That’s what we have to work on.
Offensively we mounted a lot of long drives that didn’t end in touchdowns. Defensively there was a lot of improvement, I just thought they were out there too much. What’s disappointing for them is to not get a takeaway. I thought we pressured the quarterback and stopped the run.
On offensive sputtering:
Whether it’s penalties or drops, the execution more than anything. You have to make plays that’s the bottom line. We have to operate cleaner. I thought our guys battled and had great energy tonight, just couldn’t score enough points.
On bringing Hockman in:
We had to bring him in earlier than we had planned. Matt wasn’t oding what I thought he was going to do. It was obvious he was off, and at this point we don’t have time to wait anymore.
Love him to death, he’s a great young man. But it’s one thing when you’re not completing the ball downfield, but it’s another when you’re not completing them underneath. Hockman was what we needed tonight, and he competed.
On downfield throwing ability with Hockman:
Bailey and Devin give us that, they do, so yeah.
On Leary coming in late for and injured Hockman and if it complicates the battle going into bye week:
He looked great, it possibly does (complicate the issue), I don’t know.
On defensive line’s ability to get to the QB:
They weren’t throwing the ball out immediately like some of the other teams we played. Ball State gets it out so quickly, so we had some more time. Coverage was closer to the receivers, to give our line a chance.
I thought the D-Line played well, especially in the first half, I thought they played really well. We gave them a bunch of different looks, but once you’re down three scores it’s difficult because at that point they max protected and just went off their run game.