Coming off leading arguably the most clutch drive since Mike Glennon against Florida State in 2012 and throwing for 336 yards, four touchdowns and no picks, NC State quarterback Devin Leary was named the co-ACC QB of the week this week.
Leary spoke to the media via Zoom about his big game, here’s a full breakdown of everything he had to say:
Did you guys do anything nice for the offensive line after Saturday?
They did a tremendous job. We give all the credit to them. Our big thing is that after we score, after we get into the end zone, the first thing that we do is hug a big man, because it all starts with them. Every single day, we start practice, with Grant Gibson, and I tell all the offensive linemen, it starts with them. The way we go as fast as we want to go, it starts with them.
How much did the hard count that helped draw them offside early buy you some more time?
It was huge, just being able to get certain indicators on whether they’re pressuring or not or what type of looks they’re potentially rolling into, if we get a possible cloud or anything. Those indicators are really big for us. We were fortunate enough, they were jumping offsides so we were able to get a free five yards on a couple times. But that’s a huge part of our game.
Did that make them hold up a little bit more in the second half and maybe be a little less aggressive as the game went on?
I believe so. Us changing up the cadence throughout the whole fourth quarter definitely holds up the defensive line from jumping our cadence a little bit. It helped us out a lot.
Have there been patches where your confidence got battered, and does having a performance like you did Saturday have you in a different headspace?
Coming into NC State, I’ve always been a confident player, always confident in my ability. Something I think I’ve had to grow, learn, and embrace is trusting the process. Not everything can happen at one moment. Not everything can happen in one year. Everyone’s going to make mistakes, but it’s how you respond. I just think a lot of adversity that not only I went through but our whole team went through, being able to see it pay off a little bit versus Pitt was very rewarding.
Does it raise your external expectations, showing that you are capable of putting together a game like that?
It starts with myself. I hold myself to a very high standard, a very high expectation for myself, personally. It just carries over to the team, the type of team that we are. We’re very hungry. We set high standards. We always try to constantly raise the standard if we meet it. I think that’s something that our program really embraces and I think that’s something we’re going to continue to do.
From this week alone, what progressions do you make to take another step?
I think it really all starts with just identifying your opponent, seeing what type of defense they’re going to be running, what the best game plan going into games should be. And then it starts from the front, always. It starts with our offensive line learning the best possible protections that we can put up against Virginia. And then following that, the game plan, the correct run plays, how we’re going to attack them with our run game as well as the pass game, so just really taking it day by day is really important for us.
What have you seen from that Virginia defense?
I think they have a very good defensive scheme. They definitely try to show multiple different coverages, multiple different types of pressures, as well. I think they have very long, athletic players that are very good. So it’s just up to us to come into the game with the best possible game plan to attack them.
How nice of a security blanket is Cary Angeline?
It’s huge. I think any quarterback would love to have a receiver that’s 6-7 with the type of hands that Cary has. It’s really nice to see on the field. But I think it starts in the offseason, really, with all of my receivers, not just Cary. We were able to throw almost twice every single week, almost like a players only type of deal, and continuing to build the chemistry with all the guys is key.
Has he developed?
Absolutely. I think it just comes with the game. He’s learning the game. Of course, he’s very experienced within the game, being a senior this year. I think he’s just confident in himself. He’s understanding all the concepts and he’s a very good weapon that we have on the field.
What part of your mechanics have improved the most?
I’ve actually been working a lot on that in multiple different aspects, but I would just say quickening up my release, taking shorter steps in the pocket, smaller pocket movements but still being urgent. Quick, subtle movements, just quick release, being able to put the ball in a spot and knowing where it needs to be before the defense gets there.
How do you feel you’ve improved?
I think I’ve improved pretty well. I’m just trusting the process more of just understanding the game from a mental aspect, taking everything that I’ve learned last year on film, taking all of what I’ve learned from, breaking down everything I was doing wrong and learning how to improve my game little by little, just correcting myself in the right type of ways.
When you had to sit out, was there a low point during that stretch and what did you do to pass time?
Quarantine was definitely tough. It was right before our scrimmage. Being stuck, just for anyone in general, being stuck in your room while still watching the film, watching all your teammates practice every day, is definitely tough because you want to be out there with them. I was fortunate enough to be quarantined as well as Thayer Thomas and Emeka Emezie. We were able to still throw because we all did not test positive. We were still able to throw, still able to workout. Being able to kind of connect with them more, build that chemistry more while not being at the facility was kind of like a blessing in disguise. But yeah, it was definitely tough just watching all my teammates, watching all my brothers practice and play every day while there was really nothing I could do. It was really out of my hands.
What are some things that you’d like to improve on heading into the Virginia game?
I would say watching the game, there were a couple plays that I could have potentially read better or fixed my eyes on the defenders a little bit more. Also just identifying pressures a little bit, being able to protect myself with the offensive line and having everyone be able to communicate on the same page. But just overall, continuing to take what they give me from an offensive standpoint.
You got your first win as a starting quarterback; how can you build on this going forward?
It was a huge feeling. Every week, we set out a mission and that mission is to win the game, whether it’s by one point or as many as we need to score, more than the other team. Me personally, coming to NC State, that was my main priority goal, was to do whatever I can as best I can to help this team win. Being able to get that first win was huge for me. It was a huge honor, definitely seeing all my hard work pay off a little bit.
