Virginia Tech football met with the media Monday to discuss this week's matchup at No. 24 NC State. Read below to see what Tech head coach Brent Pry, offensive lineman Silas Dzansi and defensive lineman Wilfried Pene had to say.
Head coach Brent Pry
On how defensive back Mansoor Delane has approached his freshman season:
"He missed most of preseason camp with an injury. So, he was not an early enrollee. This guy has really learned things quickly and impressed us in a short time. He's played corner, he's played safety. When the opportunity came, the game has not been too big for him. Didn't seem nervous. He didn't get bright-eyed. He made a few mistakes and bounced back nicely from them. He competed. He's a very natural football player. And I think probably more than anything, he can anticipate things well. He's a knowledgeable guy that gets it. So, I've been impressed with him."
On the positive mindset he hopes to implement on the team:
"The positive is, there are positives. There are encouraging things during each and every one of the losses we can build off of. Listen, we're doing good things and there are things we can improve on, and we're doing things well enough to win. We've just got to do it more consistently. And, the proof is there, and they see it. So, their bought in and the belief is strong. They've worked really hard to win."
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Offensive lineman Silas Dzansi
On the game plan for this week's game:
"I think the thing is really just preparation and practice. If you have a good practice and you practice the way that you want to play, you play consistent and build your skills. You want to win. We want to win the football game. I think getting our team captains to talk to the guys before they join the team, I think that'll be definitely good for us."
On his attitude during this season:
"One thing I've always been good at is keeping a smile on my face, even through dark times like this. I just kind of try to keep everyone's energy up in practice, coaching guys and keeping them up, telling them that they're doing good stuff during practice and showing up during the games."
Defensive lineman Wilfried Pene
On the team's goals for the open week:
"I feel like this week off was great. Everyone got to recover. We focused on what we are good at and what we have to get better at. I got to see where I needed to be better. I took a look at my stance, my body level and stuff like that."
On what the defensive line worked on during the open week:
"Our goal as a D-line was to get on the edge more, to put more pressure on the quarterback. We saw that during practice. We practiced a lot of technique. Everything has changed from our past coach. So, now the emphasis is on the edge, to maximize turnovers."