Revisiting Doeren's Quotes After Week 3 Win

What did the NC State coach say after the win over Wake Forest?

Sep 11, 2025; Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren walks his team out on the field against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images | Luke Jamroz-Imagn Images

RALEIGH, N.C. -- The NC State Wolfpack moved to 3-0 for the first time since 2022 after a Thursday night win over Wake Forest in Winston-Salem. The team hung 34 points on the Demon Deacons and after allowing 24 in the first half, the Wolfpack held Wake Forest scoreless in the third and fourth quarters.

Winston-Salem hadn't been a place where NC State walked away successfully. Since 2000, NC State has won just four games (including Thursday) at Allegacy Stadium against the Demon Deacons. The win on Thursday marked the second in a row for head coach Dave Doeren in Winston-Salem.

The coach showed some spirit and excitement after the impressive road win. He spoke to the media in the bowels of Allegacy Stadium, providing a window into his feelings about the team's 3-0 start.

Aug 28, 2025; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren looks on during the warmups prior to the game against East Carolina Pirates at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images | Jaylynn Nash-Imagn Images

Memorable Doeren Quotes From Week 3

On the overall performance of the team

• Doeren: "Good to be 3-0. I’m proud of our guys. Defensively, it was two halves, and what a great second half. We held them to like 30 yards, and I think they stopped them every time they were on the field. It was a second-half shutout, two great interceptions, and I loved Isaiah Shirley's play. It was such a key play at a key moment in the game. It was a second straight game without a turnover on offense. We’re taking care of the ball, being physical. The run game was great. The guys caught the football, for the most part."

• "We had some penalties that we need to clean up that kept us from scoring again which is disappointing. What a terrible start with a kickoff return for a touchdown. The thing we love is we're tested. We've been down a couple of times. These guys know how to fight back. They believe. They don't flinch. There's no division. Coaches made good adjustments two weeks in a row now. It’s pretty exciting to go on the road, get your first win, and to play the way we did in that second half."

On what was missing from the 2024 team

• Doeren: "You’ve got to see the guys play to figure out who you are a little bit, but we knew we needed to come together, and that was the thing last year's team didn't do. It was a major part of what I wanted in the offseason: to create that chemistry on the team. Winning helps, and getting guys out there making plays helps build belief. I think playing the schedule that we played has helped us. We've been tested. That team (Wake Forest) hadn’t. It definitely put us in a better position in week three by playing the two teams that we did."

Feelings about winning

• Doeren: "Look, man, I love winning. To quote Bull Durham, 'It's way better than losing, right?' It's a great feeling, man, That's what we do this for. We don't go in there to lose games. It's all about winning. We’re not spending the time you do away from your families as coaches tend to almost do things, right? Our goal is to be undefeated, and every week, it's one game at a time. It doesn't matter how it ends up. It's a W however you cut it.

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