Harmon Ready To Make Plays Against The Tigers
Kelvin Harmon is not depressed. NC State is not looking back.
The loss at Notre Dame was disheartening but not a deal breaker in regards to the Wolfpack having a special season.
There is plenty riding on the remaining four games on NC State’s schedule. The Wolfpack enters November in control of its destiny.
It all starts with Clemson on Saturday. Both teams enter the game knowing a win effectively means a berth in the ACC Championship Game.
Clemson represents something a little more to NC State, The sting of last season’s loss at Death Valley along with the knowledge that the Tigers are the not just the defending conference champions but also won the national title last season play a role in the buildup to the game.
Now that the Textile Bowl is the next contest on the schedule, Harmon can focus on what the game means to NC State. It is helping the Wolfpack let go of the Notre Dame loss.
“It is going to be a great atmosphere, and we are definitely going to be ready,” Harmon said. “Just coming off the practice [Tuesday] we had great body language and guys just look like they don’t care about the loss. They care about the loss last week but they wasn’t letting it ride out through the week so it is great start.
“Our team is a tough team. We know what we have in front of us so no one is going to be sad about [the Notre Dame loss].”
Harmon made a spectacular grab for a touchdown against the Irish for the Wolfpack offense’s lone score of the game.
He has confidence in his ability to make plays but does not take chances and works manically on his game.
“I feel like I have always had a knack for the ball I improved it more with Coach McDonald, with Steph and my teammates and the DBs,” Harmon said.
“I just feel like as long as I can get my hands on it I can make the catch. They put the pressure on us all offseason, [Dave Doeren] and Coach McDonald, so we just have to come up and make the plays we have to make.”
Another aspect that Harmon feels has helped the Wolfpack is Ryan Finley spending an entire offseason with the team after coming to NC State midstream in the previous summer.
“We were coming in everyday with Ryan Finley throwing the ball around, working routes, working with the DBs,” Harman said. “It helps. Ryan came in here and was always throwing the ball around. Building chemistry helps. It definitely helps to build that trust.”
Harmon expects Clemson to use the film from NC State’s loss to Notre Dame to help devise a scheme to stop the Wolfpack offense. He also thinks his teammates will use it as well to avoid repeating the errors in South Bend.
The is also expectation that the atmosphere Saturday will be incredible.
“I feel like they will try to do something similar but I feel like we learned from our mistakes last week so our O-Line, D-Line and everyone around us will execute,” Harmon said. “ They do a lot of press coverage along the board. A lot of one-high and their D-Line is pretty good.
“Hopefully we will get a better crowd than the Louisville game -- that was huge. We will get a better crowd and we have got a lot to play on.”