RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Getting embarrassed on national TV can lead a team down a couple of different avenues. NC State is confident they’re heading in the right direction despite a demoralizing 51-10 thrashing by the Tennessee Volunteers.
“We had a team meeting and sort of aired some things out it,” said Pack defensive end Noah Potter. “It was a good talk, not berating one another, just uplifting guys but still holding people accountable.”
Saturday’s game was out of character, according to Pack players. A close game got away from them just before the half and then snowballed in the second half. Getting beat by 41 points can shake a team’s confidence.
“As long as we keep believing in each other and playing hard, everything will fall in place,” said NC State wide receiver Noah Rogers. “We are capable in knowing what we can do, and last game was just a fluke. I believe we’re much better than that and we’re going to keep this thing rolling.”
Tuesday’s practice never felt so good. The players were in full pads, hitting, being physical, releasing some steam from a Saturday night they’d like to forget.
“We have to kind of take this loss to the chin for the next five days until we play again,” said Wolfpack safety Bishop Fitzgerald. “That’s kind of been the thing for us just go out there — and show people, and most importantly show us, that we can do it and we are the team we think we are.”