What NC State coach Dave Doeren said about Notre Dame, realignment, new clock rules
N.C. State started its season with a 24-14 win over UConn last week and hosts its home opener Saturday against Notre Dame. In his weekly press conference Monday, Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren shared his immediate thoughts on facing the Irish, and some changes in college football.
Preparing for Notre Dame
N.C. State is getting ready for Week 2 and a matchup against Notre Dame, which is 2-0 and outscored its first two opponents 98-6.
Doeren said the team watched film on its win at UConn and on the Irish’s two contests. His staff is emphasizing details and fundamentals, which he said will be key to Saturday.
“It’s gonna be a game of will, imposing will and leverage, strength, fundamentals, inside hands, pad level,” Doeren said. “It’s gonna be awesome.”
He credited Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman, who transferred from Wake Forest, and his command of the offense. Doeren noted the Irish’s offensive line and running back combination, saying it’s probably the best the Pack will see all year.
Notre Dame also features an aggressive defense. Doeren complimented linebackers J.D. Bertrand and Marist Liufau and cornerback Benjamin Morrison, who was a freshman All-American in 2022. He called Ohio State transfer defensive end Javontae Jean-Baptiste a “difference maker,” as well.
“I think it’s exciting to play against them. (It’s) team we don’t get to play a lot, a team that rotates through our league and plays five games a year,” Doeren said. “It’s our turn to get an opportunity to compete with them. Super excited about the test.”
Doeren acknowledged that a noon kickoff isn’t ideal, but the team still wants the stadium to be packed.
N.C. State looks forward to showing off the stadium’s new big screens and sound system. He said those will add to an already-exciting game day environment.
“We need Wolfpack nation to set their alarms a little earlier,” Doeren said. “Get up early. Maybe before you go to bed, have everything ready to go. Get here on time, so that you can get your tailgate on. Or, come the night before and have an overnight in the parking lot would be good. We need you to be a part of this one big time.”
On NCAA football clock rules changes
The NCAA implemented new clock rules for the 2023 season, and they’ve led to criticism from fans and programs.
The biggest change was switching to a running clock after first downs, instead of stopping the clock until officials move the chains and signal to resume. There is an exception for the final two minutes.
Doeren said that’s leading to roughly 15 fewer plays, or three possessions, per game.
“Our first quarter was over after three possessions total at UConn,” Doeren said. “They had a long drive where they ran the football, we did the same, and I looked up there’s two minutes and 30 seconds left in the first quarter.”
Coaches can’t call consecutive timeouts to ice the kicker, either, and there are only untimed downs in the second and fourth quarter after live ball penalties. Previously, officials would extend the quarter if there was a penalty on the final play, regardless of when it occurred.
One of the primary justifications for the changes was that they’d shorten the game, but with TV timeouts for commercials, people have pointed out that game length hasn’t really changed. There’s just less of the actual sport.
“We had four TV timeouts per quarter; 16 television timeouts in our game, but we’re going to be excited about that and take football out of the game,” Doeren said. “I think it’s sad that’s what’s happened, but it’s the way it goes.”
That means teams need to be more intentional with each possession and understand each play carries more weight.
“The offense and the defense — both sides of your football team — you don’t have as many opportunities to score points that you did before, less touches. It’s going to equal less points in a lot of cases,” Doeren said. “If you’re playing a pretty clean football game, and you’re used to having 10 to 12 possessions per game, you’re probably looking at eight to 10 now. It’ll take time to get used to, but it’s just the way things are.”
On ACC realignment
The ACC announced on Friday the addition of Cal, Stanford and SMU in 2024. It also drew a mix of criticism and gratitude — at least from the new programs — due to what some see as logistical challenges by inviting teams from the West Coast to join a conference in the East.
Doeren said he’s tried to ignore all the external distractions and prepare the team for this fall. That’s what he focused on in the preseason and it’s what he’s continued to do through the weekend.
“We all know why those decisions were made, so it really doesn’t matter how I feel about it,” Doeren said. “From a college football standpoint, that’s what everyone is doing. They’re adding teams that are coast to coast and making their leagues bigger.
“I can understand the rationale behind it, with what just happened in the Pac 12. A couple of teams left and the league fell apart.”
He’s not too worried about potential travel, though, considering the league will be 18 teams. That means the Wolfpack likely won’t have to travel far on a regular basis. Doeren guessed his team would travel to California once every other year.
“It’ll be fun to show the guys the Golden Gate Bridge, I guess, and see Cali a little bit,” Doeren said. “They’re the teams that have the struggle, having to travel all the time. For us, it’s a one-off going out there.”
