Wolfpack focused on 'complete package'

Veteran defense hopes it won't have to carry State this season, but is prepared to do so if necessary

 Conventional wisdom suggests that NC State will have to rely on its veteran defense to carry it this season, or at least until its young offense finds a rhythm and some confidence.

 It’s a natural assumption considering that eight of the 11 starters on defense are either juniors, seniors or graduates while the offense is breaking in newcomers at virtually every skill position, along with the majority of its line.

 Only the Wolfpack isn’t buying into the narrative.

 “Our motto is ‘One Pack, One Goal,’” defensive line coach Kevin Patrick said. “We’re all trying to be the best position to add to the team. I think that if we have one part working and the other one’s not, and we have to carry someone, then we’re not as good as we need to be. Right now, we’re focused on being one complete package.”

 It’s a package that’s only been half opened heading into Saturday’s game against East Carolina.

 The Wolfpack lost 96.5 percent of its passing, 68 percent of its rushing and 60 percent of its receiving totals from an offense that ranked third in the ACC last season averaging 33.8 points and 456 yards per game in 2018.

 Quarterback Ryan Finley, center Garrett Bradbury and 1,000-yard receivers Kelvin Harmon and Jakobi Meyers are all in the NFL now, leaving behind a talented but inexperienced group of replacements.

Although it won’t be known how those new starters handle their expanded roles until they actually play in a game, their teammates on the defensive side of the ball have spent the past few weeks doing what they can to help quarterback Matthew McKay, running backs Ricky Person, Zonovan Knight and other youngsters prepare in practice.

“We definitely have to step up, but those guys on offense know they’ve got to step up as well,” senior nickel Stephen Griffin said. “With guys leaving, new guys have got to step up and play to that standard. Defense, we do have a little more seniority, I guess. But we’re making sure those guys are ready to play. We help them out and they help us, as well. It’s a good chemistry.”

It’s a process that began long before the start of preseason camp. This summer after the defense finished its work in the weight room, newly named captain Nick McCloud would stick around and encourage the offense during its session with strength coach Dantonio “Thunder” Burnette.

As confident as McCloud is in the offense’s ability to put points on the board, the third-year starting safety said that a defense that returns six starters -- including four in the secondary -- is prepared to do more of the heavy lifting if that becomes necessary.

“Whatever the team needs us to do, that’s what we’re going to do,” he said. “If we’ve got to get a stop every time, that’s going to be the goal -- go out and get a stop every time.”

After a month of preseason camp, coach Dave Doeren is anxious to see how things play out against a hostile opponent on Saturday.

“There’s a lot of unknowns. We have to see” he said Thursday. “We’re doing everything we know how to do to prepare our young football team. We’re excited to see these young guys play and really, that’s what we need to do now. We need to go out there and compete and see who handles game day the right way and who needs to get better.”