North Carolina State University Athletics
Q&A With Linebacker Stephen Tulloch
8/19/2005 12:00:00 AM | Football
Aug. 19, 2005
Following in the footsteps of former linebacker Pat Thomas and ex safety Andre Maddox, Stephen Tulloch came to NC State from Miami's Killian High School. And it didn't take the speedy linebacker long to make an impact. As a freshman, Tulloch received the ultimate compliment from Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato, who said Tulloch was like former Pack star linebacker Dantonio Burnette, only with more speed. Now a junior, Tulloch recently answered questions from Gopack.com's Tony Haynes in a conversation about the upcoming season.
Q: You missed spring practice after undergoing shoulder surgery. How's your health?
A: "My health is good. I've been rehabbing since January and I'm feeling back to normal. I think it's going real well. I've been full speed since we've been back in camp. I'm not worried about my shoulder anymore and I'm hitting like I used to."
Q: In the spring, the coaches experimented with moving some of the linebackers around. Do you see your role staying the same or is it going to change at all?
A: "Being that I'm a junior this year, I'll be playing a bigger role. I have more experience after starting six games last year. I think my role will be bigger as far as different packages that we run in the defense and special teams. I want to contribute more to the team this year."
Q: I guess it's tough to beat being the number one defense in the country, but are there some things this defense can do better?
A: "We can definitely do better. As far as turnovers are concerned, we need to create more turnovers this year. It's something the coaches are emphasizing. We also need to limit the penalties and be more disciplined. I think we can do much better than we did last year if we stay focused."
Q: The defensive schemes are similar to last year, but would it be fair to say that coach [Steve] Dunlap (new defensive coordinator) has a different approach than coach [Reggie] Herring?
A: "Oh yea. Coach Herring leads in his own way. Coach Dunlap is a great guy and a good coach. He helps us out all the time. I don't think we'll miss a beat bringing in coach Dunlap this year. A lot of the guys respect him."
Q: What does it do for a guy like you who can really run to play behind such a stout defensive line?
A: "It's unbelievable. I'm blessed to have a defensive line like that so that I can run around and make plays. Those guys have worked really hard during the offseason and they're showing it on the field every day in practice. Playing behind those guys just makes it so much easier for our secondary and our linebackers."
Q: Perhaps no one is in a better position right now to evaluate the NC State offense than you guys on the defense. Do you see improvement in the offense this preseason?
A: "I definitely see improvement. The offensive line is healthier and that's what we really lacked last year. Also our running back corps is just unbelievable. You've got six scholarship running backs and they're all good. They all could start. And quarterback Jay Davis, from last year to now it's like he's a different person. He's showing leadership and you can really feel his presence out there on the field."
Q: How much did it gnaw at you during the offseason not going to a bowl game after finishing with a losing record last year?
A: "It was the worst feeling I've ever had playing football. I'm a competitor and like competing. Not to be on the field and competing against another team in a bowl game was really hard. Being at home and seeing all the other teams on TV and knowing that we were a good team, it just hurt. We talked about it in the offseason. Our motto was to make it to a bowl game and dominate the way we know we can dominate. NC State hasn't won a championship since 1979 and we have to change that. We're really looking to playing in the ACC Championship in December. Our mind is set there, but until then it's one game at a time. The Hokies are a great team and we have to concentrate on them."
Q: Virginia Tech is coming in for the opener on September 4th. The game is on national TV and the crowd will be going crazy. How hard will it be to sleep the night before?
A: "I don't think anybody will be able to get any sleep. This is probably one of the biggest opening games this school has ever had. Just play to against Virginia Tech and Michael Vick's little brother with all the hype, it's going to be unbelievable. The fans are excited about it and we're excited about it as well. We owe it to the fans because last year we could have played better. This is for the fans. We just have to go out there and let it happen."
