Hines Doesn't Practice On Wednesday But Expects To Play
Nyheim Hines has a deep gratitude towards the seniors. He plans to show it Saturday.
At the moment, that plan includes playing against North Carolina on Senior Day.
Hines has dealt with injuries this season and NC State has struggled when he is not on the field. The Wolfpack is 6-0 this season when the junior has rushed for at least 90 yards in a game while sporting a 1-4 record when he does not.
Two seasons ago North Carolina came to Raleigh and jumped the Wolfpack early en route to a comfortable victory on Senior Day. Hines, a freshman in that game, is not interested in repeating history.
He felt embarrassed by what happened in 2015 and feels the current senior group deserves better.
“I think they have done a great job of leading this program and turning it around,” Hines said of Dave Doeren’s first recruiting class. “The past two years have been good but I feel like this year a different pedestal and I think that comes from a lot of senior leadership from many guys -- I can’t name them all -- but it is really important to me and the whole team.
“I am thinking about how two years ago the seniors -- they walked out there with their families and we got embarrassed by Carolina -- that kind of hurt me when I was a freshman. I am feeling great. I am ready to play. I am excited to play.”
Doeren reiterated on Wednesday that he expects Hines to play, although he didn't practice the plan was for him to go on Thursday.
"He's fine," said Doeren. "He did not practice [on Wednesday]. We're just trying to get him to 100%, but he'll go [on Thursday]. He feels great."
If Hines cannot go then NC State will likely turn to a committee led by Reggie Gallaspy II and Jaylen Samuels for its running needs.
“I don’t think it really matters who is back there,” Hines said. “Myself, JaySam, Reggie, it doesn’t really matter who we put back there. I think as the line executes -- they have been doing well with protection and run-blocking -- I think we have a great chance to run the ball.”
Doeren stressed the importance of Hines on Wednesday.
"You're missing a guy who runs a 10.4, catches the football and returns kicks," Doeren said of Hines. "He's a big-time playmaker for us. We do have other players, but we don't have another guy who runs a 10.4, returns punts and kicks, and plays tailback.
"We have to use the other guys we have, but it changes the offense when he's not in there. With Dakwa Nichols out for the year and if Nyheim is out, it's different as far as the run game, we don't have that change-of-pace back. You have Reggie coming into the game, pounding you, and then Nyheim is in the game, that's difficult for the defense. We'd like to have that combination."
Despite entering the game with two straight wins the Tar Heels are not having the best of seasons.
UNC is young and have been beset with injuries. Hines feels that lately the Tar Heels have started to find their identity.
“They are young and really talented,” Hines said. “I think they have figured out some things the last couple of games that earlier in the season they may not have figured out. They’ve had, sadly, injuries to many starters -- like one of the linebackers -- but I think they are a great team and they are starting to figure out things.
“I watched them play Pitt. They were good offensively and defensively. They got the stops they needed so it is going to be no easy task going against that defense.”
NC State has won the last two times it has traveled to Chapel Hill despite North Carolina being favored. The Wolfpack can take nothing for granted Saturday.
“There is no overlooking a team in a rivalry like this,” Hines said. “It doesn’t matter if they have zero wins. It doesn’t matter if we have 10 wins. It doesn’t matter.”
“The best team, the one that goes out there and plays with focus and executes will win. I don’t think records really matter at all. It is going to be like that all weekend for college football rivalry week and it won’t matter who is playing who. It is just about all about who executes.”