University of North Carolina Athletics
Carl Torbush's Football Press Conference
November 9, 1999 | Football
Nov. 9, 1999
Head Coach Carl Torbush:
"I felt like defensively we made some improvements against Wake Forest. It was probably one of the better games we've played on defense since early in the season. That was a sign of improvement, and that's what we've been looking for. We did a better job against the run, which is one area that we had not done as good a job this year as we needed to. We were also able to make some key plays.
"I feel like Julius Peppers continues to grow up. We feel like he has a chance to be an outstanding football player before he leaves Carolina.
"Offensively, we were not able to move the football with any consistency and we were not able to sustain drives. I felt going into the game that for us to have a chance to win it would have to be a low scoring ballgame and I feel like it basically was.
"We also got ourselves into trouble with some silly penalties on the kicking game. Because of that, we probably gave up three field goals that would not have been made otherwise. Wake Forest has a good football team and they've got a chance to possibly go to a bowl.
"Right now, NC State is playing as well offensively as they've played all year. A lot of that has to do with the return of (Chris) Coleman and (Ray) Robinson. During that time, they've also been able to get some other guys some experience.
"They're always well coached. I've always had a great deal of respect for Mike (O'Cain) and his staff. They do a great job of attacking what you give them and that's why you'll see some games where they rush for 200 yards and some games they throw for 300 yards.
"I've always been a fan of Jamie Barnette. He's a tough young man and he's been through a lot of ups and downs in his career, but in the last two and a half years he's had a lot more ups. He has a great understanding of what they try to do offensively. There's a lot to having a fifth-year senior quarterback. He's an outstanding quarterback and he's done a lot for NC State football.
"Defensively, I think State is playing well. They've done a good job of getting their guys into position to make some plays and they've been opportunistic. They've made the key plays when they've needed to make them and they do a good job of adjusting to what they may see that particular week.
"This game will be very important to both football teams. It's very important to them in the fact that they need to win their next two games to be able to go to a bowl, and we know it's our cross-town rival. It's a game, regardless of the team's records, that both teams will be excited about playing."
