Isaiah Moore: "We Just Have To Play Our Game"

NC State linebacker Isaiah Moore was a big factor in last year's matchup, and he's eager to lead the Pack again this time around versus Clemson.

NOTE: Click the video above to watch the interview.

What's the mood of the team about this point? You ready to go into the teeth of the storm?
Yeah, we feel great, man. We're excited to play, excited for the opportunity, this is a big game. We realize that. We've got to handle our business each and every day.

What impressed you most about Clemson's offense, and what are the keys to slowing them down?
They're very talented. Their quarterback's really good. They got a flurry of backs that's really good, lead by Shipley. He's a really, really good back, running really hard. Their O-Line is really good, as well. They brought back a lot of guys from last year. A lot better playing, more cohesive than they were last year, I feel. They're a very talented offense. We just have to play our game, execute the game plan, is the biggest thing.

Are you looking at weather reports?
I heard it's supposed to rain, right?

Quite possibly.
Quite possibly, right? Yeah, we've seen it, but whatever God puts on that field, we're prepared for it.

You have a secret weapon now, you saw what it was like to play in the rain with Cardinal Gibbons and Chambers, and anything you can glean from that experience and winning a state title for your Cardinal Gibbons team?
Yeah, that was crazy. If Cardinal Gibbons can play in it, I guess we can play it, too. The rain, the field, all that stuff. It was a crazy environment, but like I said, we'll be ready for it.

How much do you think winning last year's game after so many times of running up against Clemson and not being able to beat them, how much that changed mentality or maybe changed the way you look at this series?
Yeah, I think the win last year was big. It was big for our program, but last year's stats doesn't win this year's games. We're a completely different team than we were a year ago and so it's going to be a great matchup down there in Death Valley.

How much did you get to watch of the Wake Forest game on Saturday?
A good amount. We played the late game. I watched all the way up until they went into overtime. It was a great game. A big shootout between two really good teams.

How much have you watched since then? You are an avid film watcher.
Yeah, I probably watched it probably at least 9, 10, 11, times at this point, something like that. Something like that.

You did not get to see the overtime, you had to stop?
I didn't. I've watched it on film since then, but I didn't see it live.

Were you kind of wondering, okay, who's going to win this game?
Yeah. On the way over here for Walk of Champions, I found out that Clemson won it in double overtime.

You had a good week of practice. Everything is going right. You think the plan is good? Ready? Has this been a long week just like waiting for this game to come along?
Nah, I think because we're just taking a one day at a time approach. We understand it's a process to win the game, to be ready for Saturday. We just take each day as important as it can be and try to be our best each and every day.

Pride. Let's just talk pride for this defense. We talked about it a couple weeks ago against Texas Tech, but how big is this for going up against Clemson? Is this a pride thing for you?
Yeah, pride is our word of week as a team, for us as a defense. I think if you had asked any defense, any defensive player, or any of the top programs in the country, they'd have just said the same thing. They feel like they're the best team in the country just to talk about themself. Clemson's a great defense and we feel like we are, too. It should be great matchup on Saturday.

I know that the whole team is close and everything, but along with this, your teammates that's from Florida, what kind of things are they dealing with right now? The stresses with this hurricane hitting down there?
Yeah, definitely prayers out to everyone that's going through the hurricane and praying everybody is safe. My teammates are from Florida. I know they've been on the phone with their families a lot, trying to figure out what the travel situations are, so just keep them in your prayers. We know we are as well.

Did you talk to Brandon Cleveland at all one on one?
I haven't.

I think he's from Tampa. He might be the one that gets hit the most.
I haven't yet, but I definitely will.