Ikem Ekwonu: "This Week Is Definitely A Big Test"
NC State sophomore left tackle Ikem Ekwonu shares his thoughts on Florida State, areas of improvement for the offensive line, and much more!
NOTE: Click on the video above to watch the interview.
On how amped up he gets for a matchup against a good DE...
It’s definitely something I look for. I feel like every guy can say that; that’s the reason they want to play college football. Just to have those big matchups and be able to go against guys that are in the same path you are. You’re trying to make the league, you’re gonna have to go against guys just like this every day, every week. It’s definitely nice, being able to go against a guy like that and a defensive line like Florida State.
On what tendencies he looks for to get an edge in the matchup...
First things first is definitely the stance. If maybe they have a wider stance, if they’re slanted a certain way or maybe their stance is more narrow if they’re going up the field. So that’s definitely the first thing. Then I kind of like to watch third downs and pass protection, stuff like that. See what they like to work on. Passing downs and third-and-longs, just see what they like work against offensive linemen.
On if an open ACC Atlantic race gives them extra excitement...
I feel like we would have taken every game seriously regardless, but it definitely feels nice to be in the hunt. I know Coach Doeren had said something that it’s been a while since NC State has been in this position, so it definitely means a lot. It’s definitely nice that we have a lot of control over how we finish the season. I feel like that’s the biggest thing for me. It’s not really up to any other people, we don’t have to rely on any other team to win out or anything like that. We really just control our own destiny. So that means a lot to me.
On if the open race gives them more purpose in practice...
I wouldn’t say more purpose, but we like to focus on one game at a time. So I feel like whatever the circumstances will be at the end of the season, as long as we focus on one week at a time and we just get better week after week, I feel like we’ll be good. So regardless of the situation, that’s just the mindset we have here at NC State. Just one game at a time, one week at a time and we’ll go from there.
On the run game’s recent struggles...
It's definitely something we can fix. I feel like the effort is there, especially the whole team effort is there, but it’s just technique stuff with us. We’ve just got to start fixing our technique and going back to the fundamentals and really focus on our technique. I feel like we’ll definitely be able to get the run game going again.
On guys stepping up with Chandler Zavala out for the season...
With Chandler out for the season, we moved Dylan [McMahon] over and Derrick Eason, he’s been playing a lot of guard for us. We just knew that he was ready to play. Even when Chandler was in, he rotated in and all that. It’s been pretty continuous, we have a lot of depth all over the team, which is something that is really good, something that we might not have had in years past. We definitely have a “next man up” mentality. If someone goes down, the next guy is up and we trust the guy that is in there.
On if he prefers run or pass blocking...
No preference. I just love playing offensive line. Whatever they call, I’m going to do it 100%.
On what he wanted to work on most going into the season...
Definitely my pass [protection]. My stance a little bit as well, but mostly my pass set, just getting my timing right with my feet and my hands, making sure I work together with my feet and my hands. Those are the main things. Hand placement, making sure that I don’t false step on my kick. My pass set is definitely something I put a really big emphasis on this past offseason.
On if any of his highlights stand out the most to him...
That’s a tough question. I guess not right now, I’ll have to look back on the film. I don’t really like to reflect too much during the season, that would be a time for after the season when it’s all said and done. That’s when I look back and see what I did. I can’t really think of one off the top of my head.
On playing running back in youth football...
I played flag football before Pop Warner and I just love getting the ball and running with it. I didn’t really know how to hold the ball yet, obviously I was a kid, but I played a little running back, played a little receiver, tight end. Flag football is basically like 7-on-7, so it’s no linemen in there. I feel like I definitely had a spot at running back if I didn’t get so big.
On if he’s involved in any potential goal-line packages this year...
I can’t say too much, but hopefully we get to see that this year. I said hopefully, can’t say too much.
On road games...
I wouldn’t really say road trips are harder. I feel like the last couple times we’ve been on the road, we just haven’t executed. I don’t feel like that has anything to do with outside forces, I think it’s really just us and just not being able to execute on the road sometimes. This week is definitely a big test for us and we’re definitely excited for it. We really just need to lock in, we’ve got to play how we play.
On if the Florida guys on the team are extra hyped to play Florida State...
I don’t know about extra hyped, but I’m sure any time you go back to the hometown it’s definitely a little extra fuel, you definitely want to show out for the city. So these guys are definitely fired up, we’re all fired up.