Wolfpack picks up the pace during practice

N.C. State won't attempt to reinvent the wheel for South Alabama on Saturday.

The Wolfpack defense, which after two games ranks 112th nationally against the pass, won't make any personnel or structural changes, coach Tom O'Brien said Wednesday.

"We're in the right things," O'Brien said. "We have the same coaches and same philosophy as last year. We need to get better execution."

O'Brien said a lack of pressure on the quarterback was the biggest issue in last week's loss at Wake Forest. N.C. State's defense gave up 337 yards in the air. Combined with Liberty's 295 yards in the opener, N.C. State has given up an average of 316 passing yards per game, which is better than only Miami in the ACC and eight teams nationally.

O'Brien said he was pleased with the team's work in practice, after giving them two days off.

"There was more intensity, certainly a sense of urgency," O'Brien said. "That's a good sign."

Empty seats at Kenan: UNC interim coach Everett Withers said Wednesday he didn't notice all the empty seats at Kenan Stadium for Saturday's victory over Rutgers. The announced crowd was 53,000; Kenan now holds about 63,000, thanks to the "Blue Zone" end zone expansion.

"To be honest with you, I don't look at the seats during game day; I look at the opponent, and our offense and defense," Withers said. "I think the biggest thing is, we obviously want the fans at the games ... I know our kids play hard, and if they come watch us play, they'll be excited to watch us play. ... All we can do is put a good product on the field, an exciting product on the field, and hopefully we'll get fans in those seats."

Asked if he thought it would become an issue with recruits, Withers - who took over for the fired Butch Davis in late July -said no.

"This place sells itself,'' Withers said. "This place, if you don't want to come to school, get a great education and play in this beautiful stadium and play in a great conference like the ACC, and play top opponents each week, I don't think it becomes a problem."

Duke's Renfree urged to loosen up: Blue Devils coach David Cutcliffe urged his starting quarterback Sean Renfree to just "cut loose and go play."

Cutcliffe, who has built his career around shaping quarterbacks, said the redshirt junior has played with some hesitancy this season. Speaking on the ACC teleconference on Wednesday, Cutcliffe said that Renfree has been an accurate passer, yet he sometimes overthinks game situations, as a coach might.

"I think Sean played very fast a year go, made his decisions and got rid of the football," Cutcliffe said. "Right now, I think he's gotten himself in a mode where he's very knowlegeable and he's worked very hard.

"I think he has two concerns: One, he's got a lot going through his mind, and sometimes you forget to play quarterback. Two, I think he's so trying to please everyone, and not let his teammates down with a mistake, that it's limiting his ability to go out there and compete and have fun."

Renfree has completed 42 of 60 passing attempts for 380 yards and no touchdowns in two Duke losses this season. Renfree has not thrown an interception this season, though he fumbled against Richmond.

"He's physically fine," said Cutcliffe, who has counseled Renfree to understand his playbook like a coach but to perform like a player.

"You have to function," Cutcliffe said. "You just can't think too much playing quarterback. There's got to be reaction involved."