Star Wolfpack Defensive End Talks Early Season Success

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The Wolfpack defense stormed out of the gates in the season opener against East Carolina. First-year coordinator DJ Eliot had the NC State defense firing on all cylinders throughout the team's 24-17 victory over the Pirates.

Improving the team's pass rush was a major point of emphasis during the offseason for Eliot and head coach Dave Doeren. The team targeted several key players in the transfer portal to help with the issues in getting to the quarterback.

One of the Wolfpack's additions was defensive end Sabastian Harsh, who proved he wasn't just a training camp darling in the opener. The Wyoming transfer was a menace throughout the game. Harsh spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon, a few days removed from his performance.

Watch Harsh's Press Conference here

Here are some of Harsh's answers from Tuesday afternoon.

On returning to the field and his first experience at Carter-Finley Stadium

Harsh: "I've been waiting a real long time since entering the portal. It was kind of nice to put any uniform on. I think it makes it really special when it's an NC State one. First experience at Carter-Finley it was awesome. Great fan experience, I know my parents loved it too. Great all-in-one package."

On where his emotions on the field stem from

Harsh: "Just playing for my brothers, for my family. Coach says it all the time, we're just a team, we're a family. If you take that to heart, it makes even easier to play your best."

NC State defens — Aug 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; East Carolina Pirates quarterback Katin Houser (4) passes the ball to running back Marlon Gunn Jr. (21) during the second half of the game against North Carolina State Wolfpack at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

On working with fellow edge rusher Cian Slone

Harsh: "I think (Slone) does a really good job of working really hard every single day. There's times during practice where I'll watch him and it'll juice me up so I want to work harder. I think just being able to feed off each other as a D-line, as a whole defensive unit, the sky is the limit."

On how he was able to continually wreck ECU's game plan in the backfield

Harsh: "Just training. More than anything, effort beats a lot of schemes and stuff like that. Playing hard and fast, tough football, a lot of times it fixes a lot of the errors that are happening out there."

NC Stat — Aug 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack fans during the first half of the game against East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

On if he felt he had something to prove in the ECU game

Harsh: "Not necessarily myself. Definitely for the team. We played really hard for Ruff (assistant coach Ruffin McNeill). Coach said it, it's a respect game. Just earning our respect back, it was more just playing for the team. Understanding that I'm not doing it for myself but for the team too."

On his initial thoughts regarding Virginia

Harsh: "I watched the last game on TV. I watched them on tape the last couple of days. I think they're a really good team. They play hard. It's not going to be easy or anything like that. They got guys on scholarship too. Just have to get ready for the game, practice really hard and prepare the right way."

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