Thayer Thomas and Ikem Ekwonu on Miami, voting, more

As NC State looks to build on its 4-2 start down the stretch, it will face challenges on offense -- especially with quarterback Devin Leary out. 

Two of the players that will figure to play a key role offensively are receiver Thayer Thomas and offensive tackle Ikem Ekwonu. The pair spoke to the media via Zoom this week, and here’s a full breakdown of everything they had to say: 

Thayer Thomas

What’s the message on voting been like from guys like Grant Gibson and Isaiah Moore with Pack United? 

I just think they’d done a good job of using their voice and their platform. I think they really just emphasize that we have a very big platform as athletes and whoever you vote for, you can use your voice to show what you actually think and influence your community members around you. But I really think the main thing they’re preaching to us is just use your voice, use your platform in the way you feel is necessary. And you can have a big impact on your community.

After you guys dropped that game at Virginia Tech, coach Doeren said you guys prepared better. What’s the preparation been like in practice after the North Carolina loss? 

Before the first game, we were practicing really well. I felt like we really had a lot to prove coming into this season and you had all that time to get ready for that first game. I’m not saying that we settled after the first game, but you could see a difference in the second week when we were getting ready for Virginia Tech where we might have taken our foot off the gas pedal a little bit. But I feel like ever since then, we’ve come in and practiced really hard and really well regardless of any kind of circumstances we’ve had. Even leading up to the UNC game, I felt like that week of practice was great; it just didn’t work out for us on Saturday.

All in all, I feel like the last two weeks, [Doeren]’s done a good job of letting us get some time off and get our bodies right, stuff like that. But I feel like we definitely took advantage of the time we’ve had on the field, practicing really well and just getting ready for whatever Miami’s going to do with us. 

Was it the perfect time for a reset? 

Yeah, I believe so. We practiced twice, and then [Doeren] gave us some time off after that, but we were back to work last night because we have that Friday game. So I feel like even though he gave us some time off, we did do a decent amount of work just so we could get prepared for the game. 

Coach Doeren mentioned that a lot of players are going to volunteer tomorrow, and if not, how will you spend your election day Tuesday?

Me and my brother, as of right now are going to go home and vote where we’re from. We didn’t do any of the early stuff, so we can just drive to where we’re from and go vote where we’re registered at. Other than that, I just feel like going to vote is one of the main things that using my platform and stuff like that, I can do. But going to vote and taking action is one thing other than talking about it, so I think by going and voting is the one thing I’m going to do tomorrow and just see where it goes from there. 

You guys had to go on the road a lot in the first half, but now you finish with four of five at home. How excited are you guys for the opportunity to be in Raleigh for the next few weeks and get to play at Carter-Finley? 

So I would think earlier in the season, going on the road was not as hard because of fans being able to come. But now fans are starting to be able to come to the games, so I feel like we can use that to our advantage. We’re looking forward to playing in front of our fans and stuff like that. If we would have played at home earlier in the season, I don’t think it would have been as much impact as everyone saw. In the first game, there was barely anybody there. As we saw against Duke, there was a decent number of people there. So I feel like having that home stretch towards the end of the season, the way it timed up with regulations and stuff like that decreasing, I think it’s going to help us out a lot. 

In what areas would you like to see the offense improve in the second half of the season? 

I think just continuing to try to be more consistent. Last year, we had to play three different quarterbacks, so I feel like we just need to rally around whoever’s called upon and just trust in them. I feel like both quarterbacks so far have shown what they can do. [Ben Finley] came in against UNC as a true freshman, I was looking over my shoulder thinking he was [Ryan Finley] the way his mannerisms were very similar, and the cool, calm and collected attitude he had just reminded me of his brother. I texted Ryan after the game and told him I was really impressed with Ben, just the way he acted being thrown in like that. But just trying to be more consistent and continue to make the plays that come our way. I feel like the receivers have done a good job of fighting through whatever we’ve gone through with the quarterback situation, just make the plays that come our way. Just go up and get it. I feel like consistency is key for us.

Has Emeka Emezie done the helmet catch in practice? 

I think he has. I definitely know that week he made a crazy, one-handed catch in one on ones. We’re always just trying to outdo each other when it comes to that, who can make the best chance and whatever. But Emeka’s done a great job this year becoming who he’s wanted to be. He’s been very consistent for us and he’s making a lot of plays for us. That just shows all the work that we put in when we weren’t even supposed to, when we had all the time off in quarantine. I live with Emeka, so it’s pretty easy for us to get our stuff in together. That kid’s going to work, I’m going to work. I feel like those are great traits to have when you’re trying to lead a room, trying to be playmakers on the field.

Ikem Ekwonu

How important is it to get Justin Witt back?

I think it’s important. You want to get as many players back, especially players with as much experience starting as Witt. We definitely want to get players like Witt back, for sure. I’m glad he’s back at practice and all that. I’m glad he’s suiting up this week. 

How excited are you guys as a team to finish the year with so many home games? 

It’s definitely nice. We knew the first six games that we had all those away games. You knew there was going to be a test. Obviously we wish we had won every game, but I feel like we came out of the test pretty well. And so this last stretch having all these home games, every team you face is going to be good, but we just feel a lot better knowing that we can stay at home and have our families come to the game a lot easier. It’s definitely a big plus. 

What has the message been like from guys like Grant Gibson and Isaiah Moore with Pack United on voting? 

Isaiah and Grant have done a lot. We’ve had a couple voter education platforms that a lot of student-athletes and players have been able to use. And so Pack United, I think they’ve done a very good job of enforcing that voter initiative and making sure that everyone gets involved and is able to use their voice. So I think they’ve done a great job.

What is your plan for voting? 

I received a mail-in ballot since my voter location is back in Charlotte. So I mailed in my ballot about 10 days ago, I believe. So that’s what I did. I was pressing on my roomates, making sure they were able to go out there and vote, making sure they find time to vote.

How good did it feel to vote in this election? 

It felt pretty good. This wasn’t my first time voting, but it’s my first time voting in a presidential election. So it was an interesting feeling, the first time.