Syracuse Football: 5 questions with NC State pxp voice Gary Hahn

Paul A. Esden Jr. (@BoyGreen25): 

Gary, NC State has scored on its’ first offensive possession all four games of this season. While defensively the Wolfpack hasn’t given up a touchdown in the fourth quarter yet this season. That sounds like a winning recipe, tell us what’s the secret sauce?

Gary Hahn (@PackFootball):

Well it’s hard to pinpoint any one thing. Sometimes things happen and sometimes things don’t. Heading into this season that was one of the major points of emphasis. Starting fast and closing strong. Easier said than done but the Wolfpack has been able to execute that strategy.

Last season NC State would often not get the engine going until deep in the second quarter and you can’t do that consistently and be successful. So that’s definitely been one thing that has been impressive this season.

Another thing is that run defense. Last year NC State was top-10, this year they’re No. 11. If you can’t stop the run in college football you’re going to be in rough shape. All of that is led though by this impressive front seven.

Ultimately this secret sauce comes down to a handful of ingredients: stopping the run and getting to a better start offensively. Those are the two biggies and so far this season the Wolfpack has gotten it done.