He's like a big vacuum -- he smothers everything.

I'm excited; I get to up against one of the best defensive ends in the country in Darryl Tapp, ... It's hard to explain. When you got up against a guy that's a really good player, you get a rush. You know that you and that man are about to clash heads to see who is going to come out on top. My goal, obviously, is to come out on top, but I know his goal is to come out on top. I know we're definitely going to be going at it.

Sweet to get the win here. It was a special night.

The biggest thing is we've got to try to keep holding everybody accountable, ... I'm just honored they picked me.

Coach Trestman has brought a lot of that NFL stuff to NC State and I think it's a great thing, ... You've got a guy who's been coaching for 20-some years in the league, where I want to be and where 100 percent of these guys want to be one day. Anytime you've got a guy who has coached the greatest players who have played this game and now knowing that he's going to be my coach, you can't be happier with that.

I understand the situation they're in. We're not winning and we know (trades) happen when you don't win . . . Being unrestricted, they might get a chance to get somebody for a guy who might not be back.

Experience is always a great thing, ... The older you are, the wiser you get. We've got some guys with experience who have been there, done that. There were some setbacks with the injuries last year but I'm done with that.

I was just fortunate to be a place to get a shot through and we had a great screen.

Just today in practice, coach (Marc) Trestman was getting on me, saying, 'Derek run your mouth' ... Talk to (Herndon). Tell him what's going on. You're a veteran. You know this.

He knows how to win. He's one of those guys who will play the same game every night.