North Carolina State University Athletics
Foundations of Program Pay Off in Road Win
9/24/2017 1:45:00 PM | Football
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RALEIGH, N.C. - Every week of the season, the Wolfpack focuses on one of their commandments – words that describe the foundations of the program. Last week, the word was faith. When asked what that word meant in regards to Wolfpack football, head coach Dave Doeren said, "It's believing in your teammates ... in the process ... in your abilities ... in the plan ... and in the preparation. Then, when those key moments happen, you never have any doubt that you will make the play."
His team obviously took those words to heart on Saturday in Tallahassee, leading No. 12 Florida State on its home field from start to finish. As the final seconds ticked off the clock and the players hugged their teammates and coaches, one phrase was repeated over and over: "We're not finished."
"I'm really proud of our coaching staff and our players that came on this trip," said Doeren. "The way they prepared, there was no doubt that we could win the football game. Only 13 percent of the people who walk into this stadium leave a winner. You have to be elite to be able to do that."
Although the faith Doeren described was last week's word of the week, it's a tenet of the program and has been since he took over in December of 2012. Through some heartbreaking close losses, the players and coaches have continued to have faith in each other and in the process.
"Our players came here with a dream three and four years ago," said Doeren following the game. "Most of those guys that are out there have helped me and our staff elevate our program and be competitive and be a contender in this conference. Today was a great step in the right direction for all of us that way."
Another word Doeren and his staff have emphasized this season is "Finish." Each practice the coaching staff go through segments which represent the fourth quarter, showing the importance to close out the games.
That paid off in the road win, as NC State put together perhaps its most important drive of the game, resulting in the final TD, while holding off a late FSU push.
NC State was up 20-13 at the end of the third quarter. But less then a minute into the final quarter, FSU converted its third 37-yard field goal of the game to close the Pack's lead to 20-16.
After a touchback, NC State took over at its 25-yard line. The Pack proceeded to use a 10-play, 75-yard drive in scoring the game's final touchdown. RB Nyheim Hines has six rushes on the drive for 43 yards to help get into the red zone.
On 2nd & 6 from the Florida State 14, Jaylen Samuels lined up at tight end and came across the formation and received a shovel pass from Ryan Finley. Samuels had plenty of running room and went untouched into the end zone for his second score of the day putting NC State up 27-16.
"(The drive) gave the defense some cushion and made their offense have to be in pass-mode which helps you pass rush-wise," said Doeren. "You don't have to sit there; they may run the football here and you can turn it loose a little more."
FSU would punt on its next drive, pushing the Pack back to its own three-yard line. After a bad snap gave Florida State a safety, the NC State lead was cut to 27-18.
Florida State was set up in great position in the ensuing drive, starting at the NC State 40. The 'Noles were only able to move the ball to the 36, and a fourth down blitz by safety Tim Kidd-Glass gave the Pack the ball back.
"I thought we brought some great pressures," said Doeren. "We have a great safety blitz on fourth down. We missed the tackle but forced him (QB Blackman) to throw an errant throw. We just kept mixing it up."
But NC State would have a punt blocked on the ensuing possession, setting up Florida State once again in Pack territory, at the 23. The Pack defense held strong, limiting FSU to a field goal, which cut the lead to 27-21 with 3:01 left to play.
The Seminoles elected to kick the ball deep with no timeouts, but the Wolfpack running game got the clinching first down, as Hines scooted 15 yards on third down to ice the victory.
Through the first four games of 2017, NC State has yet to concede a TD in the fourth quarter.
"Just to see the euphoria in their faces in that locker room and feel how much that went iinto that journey? That's why I coach. I loved every second of that and I'm so proud of those guys."
RALEIGH, N.C. - Every week of the season, the Wolfpack focuses on one of their commandments – words that describe the foundations of the program. Last week, the word was faith. When asked what that word meant in regards to Wolfpack football, head coach Dave Doeren said, "It's believing in your teammates ... in the process ... in your abilities ... in the plan ... and in the preparation. Then, when those key moments happen, you never have any doubt that you will make the play."
His team obviously took those words to heart on Saturday in Tallahassee, leading No. 12 Florida State on its home field from start to finish. As the final seconds ticked off the clock and the players hugged their teammates and coaches, one phrase was repeated over and over: "We're not finished."
"I'm really proud of our coaching staff and our players that came on this trip," said Doeren. "The way they prepared, there was no doubt that we could win the football game. Only 13 percent of the people who walk into this stadium leave a winner. You have to be elite to be able to do that."
Although the faith Doeren described was last week's word of the week, it's a tenet of the program and has been since he took over in December of 2012. Through some heartbreaking close losses, the players and coaches have continued to have faith in each other and in the process.
"Our players came here with a dream three and four years ago," said Doeren following the game. "Most of those guys that are out there have helped me and our staff elevate our program and be competitive and be a contender in this conference. Today was a great step in the right direction for all of us that way."
Another word Doeren and his staff have emphasized this season is "Finish." Each practice the coaching staff go through segments which represent the fourth quarter, showing the importance to close out the games.
That paid off in the road win, as NC State put together perhaps its most important drive of the game, resulting in the final TD, while holding off a late FSU push.
NC State was up 20-13 at the end of the third quarter. But less then a minute into the final quarter, FSU converted its third 37-yard field goal of the game to close the Pack's lead to 20-16.
After a touchback, NC State took over at its 25-yard line. The Pack proceeded to use a 10-play, 75-yard drive in scoring the game's final touchdown. RB Nyheim Hines has six rushes on the drive for 43 yards to help get into the red zone.
On 2nd & 6 from the Florida State 14, Jaylen Samuels lined up at tight end and came across the formation and received a shovel pass from Ryan Finley. Samuels had plenty of running room and went untouched into the end zone for his second score of the day putting NC State up 27-16.
"(The drive) gave the defense some cushion and made their offense have to be in pass-mode which helps you pass rush-wise," said Doeren. "You don't have to sit there; they may run the football here and you can turn it loose a little more."
FSU would punt on its next drive, pushing the Pack back to its own three-yard line. After a bad snap gave Florida State a safety, the NC State lead was cut to 27-18.
Florida State was set up in great position in the ensuing drive, starting at the NC State 40. The 'Noles were only able to move the ball to the 36, and a fourth down blitz by safety Tim Kidd-Glass gave the Pack the ball back.
"I thought we brought some great pressures," said Doeren. "We have a great safety blitz on fourth down. We missed the tackle but forced him (QB Blackman) to throw an errant throw. We just kept mixing it up."
But NC State would have a punt blocked on the ensuing possession, setting up Florida State once again in Pack territory, at the 23. The Pack defense held strong, limiting FSU to a field goal, which cut the lead to 27-21 with 3:01 left to play.
The Seminoles elected to kick the ball deep with no timeouts, but the Wolfpack running game got the clinching first down, as Hines scooted 15 yards on third down to ice the victory.
Through the first four games of 2017, NC State has yet to concede a TD in the fourth quarter.
"Just to see the euphoria in their faces in that locker room and feel how much that went iinto that journey? That's why I coach. I loved every second of that and I'm so proud of those guys."
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