Trent Pennix: "We Always Play For Each Other"
NC State tight end Trent Pennix discusses the Wolfpack's upcoming matchup against Florida State, his role in the offense, and much more!
NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.
On his fourth-quarter touchdown against Louisville...
We’d been working on that play for weeks now and Coach Beck finally pulled out the card. The whole design of the play is to sell the fake and then the receivers take out the defenders, and the seam will be open.
We’ve just really got to be patient, and [Coach] Goebbel always told me, ‘Just stay patient, slow yourself down, and it’s just gonna open,’ and as soon as I saw the hash open up and everything fell in place, I knew the ball was coming straight to me. It was just a perfectly executed play. Great job with the running backs faking the pitch to draw the linebackers down to open that up as well.
On if it felt like a breakout game...
Yessir. I’m just working hard every day, day in and day out. Every time my number is called, I just make sure I come out and do the best I can to help my team win.
On how patient they had to be to set up the play...
It’s honestly just a feel thing. I’ve been watching plays just like that last year with Cary [Angeline]. Coach Goebbel is talking about how you’ve just really got to feel it and also just be patient because if you rush it, and me, being a fast person, I’m a quick twitch guy, I just like to go really fast and I just learned to slow down and everything is just gonna fall in place. It just happened to work perfectly on that play.
On if there’s something they saw to indicate the play was there...
Honestly no, we were just in the huddle and Coach Goebbel just told me to get ready for chiquita, chiquita might be there, and it was in the game plan all week so we practiced it a lot this week. I just knew, having the right mindset that that play is going to get called every once in a while, so just gotta know when the play gets called, know what your responsibility is and just execute it at the highest potential you’ve got.
On the team’s excitement about being in the ACC Atlantic race...
It’s going all the way back to the offseason. We just felt like more of a family this whole year, and I just had a feeling this whole year that everybody, and Coach Doeren, he’d talk about it before camp when he came back from the ACC meetings, that he just had a great feeling that... he came back in the meeting room and had everybody ready for the season because he could tell how special we are and how special we’re going to be in future years.
We just know this team this year is very special, and we all call each other our brothers because we always play for each other. Just like Coach Goebbel talks about every morning, you’re one of 11 but you’re still one. You’ve got to make sure you do your one to help the other 10 on the field. I take that really personal, so I believe if we just keep playing for each other, staying loyal, loyal to the process, everything is gonna fall in place.
On controlling their own destiny...
Coach Doeren talked about it, we have the pen and it’s our chance to write our story. We’re just trying to write our story til the very end, and only we can control that. Nobody else.
On what he’s seen from Florida State on tape...
I’ve seen that their defensive end, number 11, he’s a really good guy that we’re gonna have to really focus on, make sure we get him off on blocks, get him out the way so that he doesn’t really disturb our running backs or so we can open gaps for our running backs to make plays in space like they always do.
On the current stretch of games...
You just go into every game having the mindset that you’re gonna beat every team and you’re the best team in the ACC.
On how dangerous the offense is...
I look at that every week, and every time I go to practice I just look at our whole offensive staff and our players, and the players we have and I just realize, we’re really special. [Devin] Leary has different weapons to throw to - Devin [Carter], Emeka [Emezie], Thayer [Thomas], CJ Riley, Porter [Rooks]. We have a ton of options for Leary to throw to, and then give credit to the o-line, all of them: Grant [Gibson], Icky, Derrick, all of them. They’re making the way for Leary to have patience in the pocket and trust them that they’re gonna hold off the defenders so that Leary can just dish out and make plays like he always does. And our running backs, you should be in that room, being around those guys. They work really hard and they take that really serious, and just seeing them do really good. I give credit to everybody on the team. I just know that we’re a special unit on offense. And then on top of that, with tight ends, of course, Dylan [Parham] making dangerous blocks and Chris Toudle being used as a receiver and a blocker, and my number is called, I come in, try to help out on the line or with receiving. Doing the best I can to contribute any way possible.
On competition to get the ball...
Honestly, everybody has their time, and when that moment comes, you’ve just got to step up to the plate. When other players make plays, we don’t really get down on ourselves like why didn’t we get the ball and turn around and be selfish. Like me, every time when my boys score, I always sprint up to the person that scored and give them the most praise because they worked really hard for that. You’re not gonna win games being selfish and it makes the game more fun, celebrating with your boys and knowing that they’re doing a good job.
On if Drake Thomas’ performance is what he expected...
Oh, definitely. I’ve known Drake all my life. Just seeing him, playing against him every year, he’s helped me become more tougher. Just seeing him progress over the years, as he’s gone through high school and up to now, he’s at a very critical stage in his career. He’s making the great plays, helping with Isaiah [Moore] out because [Moore] is injured, stepping in for a key role as a captain on our team. We really depend on him, along with everyone else on the offense. Also last week, shutting Malik Cunningham down in space was very big, and I know he’s great at doing that because he did the same thing with me. We always made each other better.
On Drake Thomas’ intensity...
It’s literally every play that he’s on the field, you know what you’re gonna expect from Drake Thomas.