NC State’s 38-31 loss to No. 4 Clemson on Saturday was frustrating, maybe even infuriating for fans, players and coaches.
Feeling like your team outplayed the reigning national champions in the electric atmosphere of Carter-Finley Stadium and leaving with a loss is a tough pill to swallow. Even though there were obvious reasons for meltdowns, the antics of coaches and fans have tainted NC State’s image as a football team.
Head coach Dave Doeren does not take losses easily. I don’t blame him. Being so invested and in command of a team with great talent, Doeren wants to win and do whatever it takes for his team to get wins. His postgame press conference comments, however, reflected more excuses than answers against quality teams in Notre Dame and Clemson.
His comments after the last two games have seemed to point fingers at officials and make excuses with injuries last week and, more recently, about a laptop being used on Clemson’s sideline.
He might not be wrong, however, the manner he says these comments to the press come off as whiny and immature. Doeren does not like to admit defeat, but more times than not, it is better to admit your team’s loss, learn from your mistakes and move on compared to rambling and pointing fingers.
Perhaps the most disappointing thing for NC State and its image was the reaction of the fans. Don’t get me wrong, Carter-Finley was filled with some of the loudest and most passionate people in the nation. There were times when the crowd noise proved pivotal such as Clemson’s opening-drive interception and third-down situations for the Tigers. The negative to such a great atmosphere was the reactions to the referees and the calls they made.
Were some of the calls questionable? Definitely. Did the penalties and changed calls always seem to happen when things were going right for State? No doubt. It was agonizing watching big plays from the Pack being negated for penalties time and time again.
You don’t have to agree with them, but people should never disrespect officials by throwing garbage and spitting on them. That’s what happened Saturday night because fans didn’t agree with the penalties that, for the most part, were the right calls.
After stepping back and taking a minute to think about it, these actions paint a very ugly picture about the class and respect of NC State as a football program and as a university. We should have enough dignity to respect the referees, take responsibility for losses and appreciate our competition.
The reason why I am disappointed in these actions is that they don’t reflect the NC State that I know. NC State is a hard-working, dedicated and smart football team. The players care about their team and school, work hard to reach their goals and play with respect and fairness.
The coaches build, teach and invest everything into the game and the players. The fans are passionately involved in following and supporting the Wolfpack no matter the outcome. They all collectively represent NC State and reflect the values of the University.
At the end of the day, football is a game. There is supposed to be a winner and loser. The team with the better plays, the fewest mistakes and the best game plan ends up winning the game and that has not been NC State the last two weeks.
NC State is a good football team and losses are not fun. Excuses are not needed. The team played hard and gave the best that it had the last two weeks. Penalties are part of the game. Referees are humans and make mistakes too. Other teams have outstanding players and play-calling coaches as well. It’s all a game, and we are all better than what our actions showed on Saturday. So let’s leave the tomfoolery in the past and build towards a successful conclusion to the 2017 football season.
