The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/80446
between the four positions, it's Mattes. "The positions are similar, so the guard has to set the depth at the pocket and you can't get pushed back," Mattes said. "That is what Coach Bridge always says. At tackle, you have to set the width. You have to set the pocket like a reverse C. It's just being firm at guard, and more of a dancer at left and right tackle." Mattes joked that he knows what spot he would play next year if he had another year of eligibility remaining. "I told [NCSU senior center] Cam [Wentz] if I had a fifth year of eligibility, I'd be play- ing center next year," Mattes said. ting down on 33 sacks allowed and increas- ing the 104.8 rushing yards per game are two other goals for the veteran unit. "Every year, and last year we barely missed it, [the goal is] to get a 1,000-yard rusher," Mattes said. "We have to work on the sacks thing because we sucked last year, and the rushing yards per game was awful too." Mattes and the offensive linemen set out during the offseason to achieve those group goals, and backed their words with actions. "The new strength coach, Coach [Co- rey] Edmond, we worked to become a lot stronger, and did more squatting," Mattes Mattes and Wallace used to be room- mates with Glennon for two years, and then Wentz joined his two lineman teammates after Glennon moved out. Former NC State fullback/linebacker Colby Jackson has also been part of the crew, and is now working in Virginia. Glennon laughed when thinking about the good times he had with his recruiting classmates, Mattes and Wallace. "It was pretty good and a lot of fun rooming with them because they are great guys," Glennon said. "I have a lot of great memories and great stories that we'll enjoy reminiscing on when we are older. Prior to making the move to left guard this year, Mattes was rated as the nation's 13th-best offensive tackle by Yahoo! Sports. All kidding aside, Mattes' versatility could make him attractive in getting a job in the NFL one day. "I certainly hope so because everyone has the goal of making the NFL one day, and I'm the same way," said Mattes, whose father Ron Mattes, switched from defen- sive tackle to the offensive line and played professionally. "I hope this will make me a good versatile player." Mattes said the offensive line group would love to have a 1,000-yard rusher for the first time since T.A. McLendon in 2002 (1,101 yards). The Wolfpack has had just three 1,000-yard rushers since 1984. Cut- 28 ■ THE WOLFPACKER said. "We want to become a more physical offensive line group. You can tell in the weight room that everyone has become a lot stronger. We'll be a lot more physical group and be stronger in the lower bodies. "As an O-line, we worked together every morning and were up at 5:20 a.m., coming in to work out. The only motivation was to do better. You have to do the work. If you don't put the work in, you won't see the results on the field." Protecting fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Glennon will be a season-long theme, with only freshman quarterback Manny Stocker as a scholarship backup. PHOTO BY ERIC LUSK "They are both pretty loud snorers, and R.J. would always seem to disappear when we'd be cleaning the room. Andrew would be the one that would help me out." Glennon appreciates that Mattes and the other offensive linemen have played through pain and injuries over the years. "I've seen them go through their injuries and laying in bed with their ACLs and in pain," Glennon said. "I know how hard they have worked to battle back. "I know I'm excited to have them protect me. We've built a relationship that trans- lates on the field. I have their back, and they have my back." ■