North Carolina State University Athletics
Russell Wilson Q&A
9/29/2009 12:00:00 AM | Football
Fresh off of throwing 12 touchdown passes in the last three games and being named ACC Offensive Back of the Week, NC State sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson met with the media during his weekly availability.
Talk about those quick passes to the running backs that go a long way.
“You have to credit the offensive line on both points, passing the ball and running the ball. They are doing a great job so far.”
You’ve talked about in the past the game slowing down for you. Was there a time Saturday where the game was in slow motion?
“Definitely. When you’re really into the game and you’ve done all the film studying that you’ve been doing all week, along with the preparation, the game really slows down when you recognize what they’re doing. You know what they are going to do before they bring it.”
What’s it like to have an idea of what the other team is about to do?
“It’s definitely good to have confidence. No matter what they are going to do, we are always going to have confidence in executing the play and getting positive yards out of it.”
How often did you face man-to-man coverage vs. Pittsburgh?
“Most of the time. Pittsburgh had some good cover guys. You have to credit Pitt. They had some good guys in the secondary. I think we’ll see it a lot this year.”
What opportunities does man-to-man present to you getting out of the pocket and running?
“I don’t necessarily look to run. I look to throw the ball first to the real skilled guys. If the opportunity comes I’ll take off. It can get me a few extra yards, but at the same time you have to be smart about it because you know that there are guys coming at you every single play.”
Do you think that you are more likely to get positive yardage against man-to-man coverage?
“Yeah it makes sense. People are running with their backs to you, you can get more yards.”
What’s the difference in the confidence level starting ahead off 3-1 as opposed to last year?
“The confidence level is definitely there. We know that we have a great team this year, but we have a lot of improvement that needs to be done. As Coach O’Brien said right after the game, we aren’t very good yet. I agree, along with everybody else on the team. We have a lot of things that we need to correct. There are things that we can get better at and fix. It’s not necessarily a negative thing, but a positive thing that we can get better.”
Can you comment on the numerous penalties that seemed to be small lapses in focus?
“That’s definitely lapses in focus, but I don’t consider them small. Those are things that are big deals. Those are things that take you from first and 10 to first and 15 or third and five to third and 10. That’s a big difference. You need to make sure you stay focused and don’t get any penalties.”
Can you talk about field position” How hard is it to go 80-90 yards every single series?
“It’s definitely tougher. I think that we are built to do that. We have the personnel to do it, so it’s definitely a good thing that we can go 95 yards to score a touchdown.”
A big difference between college and pro football is the amount of different offenses in college. Does that make the game fun?
“Yeah I think so. You do see a lot of different offenses. With our team we can run a lot of different things. I feel like we have a pro attack, which is a good thing for us and me, getting to know a pro-style offense.”
Do you like to watch Georgia Tech’s offense or the different spread offenses out there?
“It’s definitely interesting to watch how teams execute. Georgia Tech is very successful, along with other teams across the country with what they run. I don’t focus on what they run. I just worry about what we do.”
The touchdown play to George Bryan seems to be pretty successful. Is that a favorite play?
“No. Coach Bible does a great job of calling the plays and I run them.”
Can you talk about the poise you show on the field?
“I try to stay even-keeled the whole game. I try to focus on the team, and what we have at task. You focus on the now, and don’t worry about what happened before or don’t worry about what’s going to happen. You just get better each and every play. You do that and we’ll be successful more often than not.”
Talk about Wake Forest’s defense.
“They have a great defense, great coaching staff. It should be a great game. I’m excited for it and excited to go to Wake Forest.”
Do you get to watch other football games very often?
“A lot of times it depends on what time our game is. I don’t really watch too many other games though. I’ll watch the highlights, but I just try to focus on us.”
Can you talk about what you do to stay on task?
“I think a lot of it is just staying organized when it comes to school and everything. I’m trying to win every game every week, and I’ll do whatever it takes to do that. I’m just trying to stay healthy, study my plays, get school work done, eat the proper food, keep my relationship with the Lord, keep my relationship with my friends and family, and just get better each and every week.”
Along with baseball and football, you are trying to graduate in three years. How much more does that add to the plate?
“Right now I’m taking 15 credits. I think having a lot of things to do excites me and keeps me focused on what I need to do. I like staying busy. It keeps everything in perspective.”
If you had less things to do would you slow down and get complacent?
“I don’t know if I’d slow down. I like to have a lot on my plate, and feel like I’m actually doing something with my life.”
With your busy schedule how do you fit your relationship with the Lord?
“I wouldn’t be able to do all the things I can do without my Lord. It’s not a specific time. It’s every day throughout the day. I say a prayer whenever my heart needs a prayer, or somebody else needs one. I try to just say thank you and keep everything in perspective. The Lord has given me a lot of talent and blessed me, and blessed everyone around me. He will continue to do the same. I will always keep Him first.”
Would you say your faith gives you a bigger sense of purpose on the field?
“Yes sir.”
A lot of people have a planner or something to remind them of things. How do you remember stuff you have to do throughout the day?
“I have a blackberry, but I don’t utilize it as much as I could. Coach O’Brien lays out the schedule for us. Every single day I know exactly what time I have to be somewhere and where I have to go. Having the experience of being here three years already has helped.”
Coach O’Brien is a good coach to be a busy guy for because he is so regimented, right?
“Yeah everything is pretty organized, and I like that. It’s a positive thing for me, and positive thing for my teammates. It’s got to be a positive thing for the coaches and their families as well.”
Are you starting to take your mid-term exams right now?
“Yeah I’m starting to take them. I’m just trying to stay organized and study. I have to stay focused this week and in the weeks to come. I don’t think it’s anything I can’t handle.”
What’s your dream in playing two sports in the future?
“My dream is to play football and baseball in the pros, and be a Hall of Famer in both. That’s my dream, but I want to win a National Championship here. I want to win each and every game here each and every week. Right now in front of me is Wake Forest. That’s the only thing I’m worried about right now to be honest.”
Do you guys talk about not throwing any interceptions? Is it similar to when a pitcher is throwing a no-hitter and now one talks about it?
“I guess it is similar. A lot of people don’t talk to me about it. Each and every practice I’m trying not to throw an interception. Every throw I’m trying to move the ball up and down the field and help my team be successful. The same thing with the wide receivers. They know that in the back of their mind they’re trying to make plays for me. They don’t want to give up an interception. That’s a pass that they could have an extra 15 or 30 yards. They don’t want to give the ball up. They are working extremely hard, and same with the running backs and tight ends. Like I said earlier you have to credit the offensive line to give me enough time to make the right decision.”
Did Jamelle Eugene bail you out on that throw or did you throw it for him to go up and get it?
“I trust him. He’s got a great vertical leap and catches the ball very well. He can catch the ball just as well as anybody else on the team, and I gave him a chance. I’m not scared to throw an interception. I’m going to put the ball where I think guys can go get it, and I just hope that they do.”
Do you look at what you’ve done so far in two years and think about how impressive it is?
“No I’m never satisfied. I feel like there are a few throws that I leave out there every week that I could complete. It could be touchdowns. There are more touchdowns out there that I can get and I want to get them. We have to keep working each and every week and keep getting better.”
Coach O’Brien was talking about player’s grades during the games and you didn’t get about 90 percent. How touch is that grading scale?
“I don’t really know about the grades really. I grade myself each and every week in my head. Things that I could do better. Every week I’m trying to be 90 to 95 percent, possibly 100 percent, but that’s pretty hard when you're playing college football. That’s the way I look at it. You see the good quarterbacks in the NFL and in college and they grade 90 to 95 percent usually, and that’s where I want to be.”
Looking at the schedule coming up, is that why you guys put the Pittsburgh game behind you so quick?
“Definitely. We have a big week coming up. We’re excited for it, and excited to get to work. Every week is going to be challenging. That’s a good thing about playing college football and being in the ACC.”
While the fans loved the game, it seems that the players and coaches know you guys can get better. Can you talk about that attitude?
“I think we are all on the same page. We have a lot of work to do. We need to keep getting better each and every week.”
