Interview With Joseph Giglio

Continuing with our semi-weekly interview series (we weren't able to get anyone for the Wake game last week in a timely fashion) we are joined this week by Joseph Giglio of the Raleigh News & Observer. Giglio writes the paper's ACC Now Blog and was nice enough to take time out of his schedule to answer some questions about North Carolina State and tomorrow's match up with the Terps.

WMUC Sports: What has been the biggest struggle for NC State in ACC play thus far?

Giglio: The pass defense is brutal. USF, and Matt Grothe, chewed them up for 275 yards and 41 points, then BC, and Chris Crane, who's not Grothe, came in and threw for 428 yards and put up 38 points.
They played better against FSU because FSU's line stinks (the Terps will beat FSU at Byrd, by the way) but ultimately the team is so thin, because of injuries and program attrition, the defense gets the fourth quarter and is physically exhausted.

WMUC Sports: Do you get a sense the team is frustrated after losing two close conference games in the 4th quarter?

Giglio: I don't think frustrated is the word because they're improving. In the first three weeks of the season, Russell Wilson's health kep the offense in neutral. Since his return, the passing game has come alive and the offense is functional. The return of tight end Anthony Hill and running back Jamelle Eugene have been big for Wilson, who can make plays but he needs players to get the ball to.

WMUC Sports: How has redshirt freshman quarterback Russel Wilson helped to breathe some life back into the offense?

Giglio: The kid's got a great arm and he's learning every week how to use it. He's not quite there on his decision-making, he has missed two and half games in his first season, so that's understandable, but his natural talent is undeniable.
Should be interesting next year when Mike Glennon's off the redshirt and they have to decide between the two — Wilson, the holdover from Chuck Amato's recruiting and Glennon, the hand-picked QB of the future by Tom O'Brien and offensive coordinator Dana Bible.

WMUC Sports: Give me someone that might be flying under the radar for the Wolfpack on either side of the ball that people should know about.

Giglio: Hill caught his first touchdown pass of the season against FSU and should be as close to 100 percent as he has been since the 2006 season. He missed the 2007 season with a torn ACL and then missed four games with a strained chest muscle.
He gives Wilson a target in the seems, which is especially important against Maryland's 3-4 defense.

WMUC Sports: Who is NC State most concerned with as far as Maryland's personnel?

Giglio: Gotta be Hey-Bey, he's Maryland's best playmaker. Fridge certainly made an effort to get him going against Wake. I suspect he'll do the same on Saturday against State's soft pass defense.

WMUC Sports: What is the biggest key in your mind for NC State this weekend?

Giglio: The only way State wins is with its offense. It has to beat Maryland in a shootout, kinda like the Boston College game, only with a stop on the final drive. But a game in the 30s would be State's best shot. That's 30s on both sides, unlike last year's 37-0 Maryland romp.

WMUC Sports: How do you see the game playing out?

Giglio: State's playing better. Wilson will make some plays, hit some deep balls, but Maryland should be able to run with Da'Rel Scott and if Chris Turner's ever going to post back-to-back strong games, this would be the one. Without linebacker Nate Irving, State's defense just doesn't have a playmaker who can force turnovers and get the offense off the field. We can only hope it's better than the 37-0 clunker we saw last year at Carter-Finley.