Dave Doeren channels Philip Rivers after NC State football's comeback ACC win at Cal
N.C. State football coach Dave Doeren channeled former Wolfpack quarterback Philip Rivers on Saturday afternoon in Berkeley, California.
Following the Wolfpack’s 24-23 comeback ACC victory at Cal, a win in which N.C. State (4-3, 1-3 ACC) rallied from a 13-point deficit in the fourth quarter, Doeren praised the toughness of his team and its response to adversity.
In doing so, Doeren pulled a page from Rivers, whose famous speech ahead of the Wolfpack's 2016 spring game featured a phrase that continues to inspire the program.
"The Wolfpack's not for soft people," Doeren said after the Wolfpack’s first ACC win of the season in the program’s first trip to the West Coast since 1960.
"Sometimes we don't play the way that we need to. It's on me to get that right."
“Really proud of this team. They stepped up today and did some really special things. It's a great win."
NC State football's Hollywood Smothers shines in California
Running back Hollywood Smothers said Doeren told him, ‘You’re a playmaker, go make plays” during the Wolfpack’s game against the Golden Bears (3-4, 0-4).
“That's what we're supposed to do,” Smothers said.
Smothers didn’t let his team down in California, accounting for 112 yards, including 41 on a catch-and-run touchdown with just under seven minutes left in the fourth quarter to give N.C. State the lead for good.
"Coach Doeren really held us to a standard. If you're a playmaker, go out there and make plays,” Smothers said. “That's what we're supposed to do. … That's what our playmakers were able to do today."
NC State QB CJ Bailey steady, Wolfpack defender Davin Vann stymies Bears
N.C. State freshman quarterback CJ Bailey continues to impress each week with his poise and confidence as he increases his experience. Bailey completed 25 of 36 passes for 306 yards and two touchdowns, both in the fourth quarter, to lead the Wolfpack offense.
“He's going to be a hell of a player,” Doeren said of Bailey. “He's tough.”
Bailey completed 8 of 12 passes in the fourth quarter, including four of his last five passes as N.C. State completed its largest fourth-quarter comeback since a 14-point rally against Florida State in 2012.
Despite battling a nagging injury, defensive captain Davin Vann came through with a sack in the final two minutes to slam the door on the Bears. Vann finished with five tackles, including two sacks.
Entering its off week, will NC State follow the 2023 script?
Because of injuries, N.C. State’s idle week couldn’t have arrived at a better time for the program. The off period could also provide a road map for the Wolfpack, which closed the 2023 regular season with five straight wins following its off week.
"It's really good that we had this bye week because a lot of us need some rest. Our bodies have been beaten up for the past couple of weeks,” Bailey said.
“We need this time off for our mental health and our physical health. For the next couple of weeks, we're fixing to go win some games. Be undefeated for the rest of the season, that's the plan. That's the goal. We're going to do that."
N.C. State will try to accomplish that starting with Stanford on Nov. 2 at Carter-Finley Stadium.
“Keep it one week at a time, trying to get better and finish games and see if we can get on a run again. It's easier said than done,” Doeren said.
“We're a beat up football team. We need to get healthy right now before we think about the next opponent. That's the No. 1 thing: Get these guys some mental and physical rest."
Staff writer Rodd Baxley can be reached at rbaxley@fayobserver.com or @RoddBaxley on X/Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Dave Doeren channels Philip Rivers after NC State football win at Cal
