The Wolfpacker

July 2013 Football Preview

The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports

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Retooling The Pack Football 2013 Coordinator Dave Huxtable Goes Over The Defense N By Matt Carter C State defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable is back on Tobacco Road. The one-time UNC defensive coordinator comes to NCSU after spending last season leading Pittsburgh's defense, which ranked 16th nationally in total defense, 21st in scoring defense, 24th in rushing defense and 25th in passing defense. ■ Defense Q&A He inherits a unit at NC State that returns nine players who have started multiple games in their careers. However, the defense must replace two four-year starters at safety and is working with a linebacker corps that was reshuffled some during the spring. Here are highlights from an interview with Huxtable about the NC State defense. After one spring, in general how do you feel about the defense? "I'm very excited about the group of guys that we have to work with. We had 15 practices, and the guys came out and worked hard. I feel like they were into it and excited about what we're trying to do. "From practice one through five it was a struggle: a new system, new terminology, coaches teaching different fundamentals and techniques. But after those first five or six practices things started falling into place, guys felt a little more comfortable and we were getting aligned easier. "I saw some improvement." Huxtable spent last season leading Pittsburgh's defense, which ranked 16th nationally in total defense, 21st in scoring defense, 24th in rushing defense and 25th in passing defense. photo courtesy nc state media relations What are some of the strengths that you found in the spring, and what concerns do you have going into the preseason? "Starting up front at our tackle position, we've got guys that can give us some good play inside. At our end position, our depth is a concern bit. Overall, I am very pleased with the way the defensive line played and progressed throughout the spring, and I think it should be a strength for us. "At the linebacker position, we made some changes halfway through the spring. D.J. Green started inside, we moved him outside to Sam [strongside linebacker]. M.J. Salahuddin was outside, and we moved him inside to Mike [middle linebacker]. I think we have now found the correct spot for those guys. 38  ■  the wolfpacker 38,40.Defense Q&A.indd 38 7/1/13 9:29 AM

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