Heading into one of the most important games of both teams’ seasons, N.C. State defensive end Willie Young and Clemson defensive end Ricky Sapp are prepared to lead their teams to victory. The Pack is in a must-win situation as it needs to win the last three games for a bowl bid. Clemson had a recent resurgence and is also playing for a bowl bid as well as an outside shot at the Atlantic Division title.
Going into the game, both ends will be a main focus for both offensive coordinators as they try to find ways to limit the ends’ ability. State coach Tom O’Brien believes the coaches will try to find ways to mix up the looks they give the ends to keep them guessing.
“It is not unlike facing a good quarterback,” O’Brien said. “You can’t give them the same look the whole time and if you do, they will counter what you do.”
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said he is not overlooking Young as he prepares for Saturday’s game.
“He is an outstanding player that you have to worry about on every play,” Swinney said. “He is really a good pass rusher that disrupts your offense. He has been a good player for quite a while so his success this year has not been a surprise.
“State has some good football players on defense, especially in that front line. That is the strength of their defense.”
Swinney said he sees many similarities between the senior and the graduate student.
“They both are outstanding pass rushers who are smart football players,” Swinney said. “They know their assignments.”
With sophomore star defensive end De’Quan Bowers potentially sidelined indefinitely with an ACL injury, Sapp will be charged with containing the Pack’s rushing attack. Both ends will be facing significant challenges on as they try to stop two of the most dynamic players in the ACC in Pack redshirt sophomore quarterback Russell Wilson and senior Tiger running back C.J. Spiller.
Redshirt senior offensive tackle Jeraill McCuller knows he is in for a fierce battle on Saturday in going up against Sapp and trying to keep him off of Wilson.
“Sapp is real shifty,” McCuller said. “The thing is, you have to get your hands on him. He is a lot stronger than his body type makes him look.”
Even with all of the dynamic offensive players on the field, redshirt senior defensive tackle Leroy Burgess believes Young may be just as big of play maker as any of them.
“Willie is a gamer and Willie is going to be Willie,” Burgess said. “If he is not getting a sack you know he is going to make a play some way somehow. He is a heck of a game changer you have to keep one eye on him wherever he is on the field.”
