North Carolina State University Athletics
Pack Looks to Dig Out Against Clemson
11/14/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Nov. 14, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - With an explosive Clemson offense coming to Raleigh Saturday, NC State head coach Tom O'Brien wasted no time Monday at his weekly press conference sugarcoating the Wolfpack's performance against Boston College.
"We're in a ditch, we have to dig our way out again," said O'Brien. "We've found a way out before, we have to find a way out again now. We lost the football game, but we still have obtainable goals. We have to make up our mind where we want to be in December, and it starts Saturday."
The Pack's recent improvements defensively, holding opposing offenses to 14 points over the last two outings, came into question from the head coach.
"They've got to outplay the other defense; the other defense only gave up 10 points," said O'Brien. "We should have held them to seven."
O'Brien admitted that his players made a substantial emotional investment in the previous week's tangle with North Carolina, but did not excuse the poor showing in Saturday's follow-up.
"It's college football, it happens to everybody," said O'Brien. "We did our best to try to not let it happen to us. The tough thing about going on the road three times in four weeks is that it's a tough emotional four-week stretch.
Certainly, you have to learn how to win after you beat Carolina. You have to do that, that's part of growing up as a program. It's a sign of maturity, a sign of experience, whatever you want to say. That's a problem that we have to work on. Beating Carolina is really important here, but it isn't the end of the season, and we have to be able to take that next step as a program."
Clemson enters the game ranked seventh in the AP poll and eighth according to USA Today, boasting a 6-1 conference record that has clinched the Atlantic Division crown.
"They have players - the quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end that can all beat you with the ball in their hands," said O'Brien. "I think that's what sets them apart from any other offense. Another offense may have a guy or two, but not four different positions or more that if they touch the ball, they can go all the way.
We've got to win this game. You can't win two unless you win one. We've dug ourselves a big hole again. We found a way out of it before, now we have to find a way to get out of this one."
NC State kicks off against Clemson at 3:30 p.m. with television coverage provided by ABC. Saturday's game will feature a Toys for Tots drive, with Marines posted at all gates to take contributions of new, unwrapped toys. Fans may also contribute cash donations. Coca-Cola and Harris Teeter will provide a special coupon to anyone who makes a donation.
