North Carolina State University Athletics
PEELER: Wilson Revels in Underdog Role
10/27/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
BY TIM PEELER
RALEIGH, N.C. – Russell Wilson loves having his back against the wall.
Throughout his dual-sport career, he has reveled in his ability to wriggle away from troublesome situations with deft footwork, speed and superior athletic ability.
"I love kind of being the underdog," Wilson said Tuesday morning. "When things are getting tough, I think that is when I excel best."
So he spent time during the Wolfpack's bye week to rally the troops, to make sure no one on the team hangs their head after losing three consecutive games and to make sure they know good things can still happen this year for the Wolfpack (3-4 overall, 0-3 ACC). After taking last weekend off, the Woflapck returns to action Saturday for a noon game at Florida State (3-4, 1-3).
"There is definitely a rallying, gathering everybody back into the circle, to make sure they are not listening to the outside discussions about the team. We just have to focus on us and realize we are now in the situation where we have a new beginning and a new start.
"If we do that, we have a better chance of being successful the rest of the season, and our goal is to be successful each and every time we step on the field."
Wilson knows full well that the team has played better in the second half of the last two seasons. But, he said, neither he nor his teammates expect things to be better the rest of this regular season just because things improved during the latter parts of the last two seasons.
"You don't want to take too much from it, because that was two years ago and last year," Wilson said. "But, at the same time, you want to keep it in the memory bank. You know you have the ability to come back.
"It's not like it is an impossible feat."
And, despite the lack of success on the field, Wilson said he and his teammates are still positive about being successful the rest of the season. And that's what they have been working on during the open week.
"We have more guys who truly believe... that's what matters," Wilson said. "You just try to keep leading, keep pushing other guys, and keep getting better."
You may contact Tim Peeler at tim_peeler@ncsu.edu.
