Q&A with Pack RB Andre Brown

Q&A with N.C. State running back Andre Brown about Saturday’s game with Boston College at Carter-Finley Stadium:

Q: What are the keys to establishing the run against a team known for stopping the run?

A: We know what they’re going to do. It’s just all linemen getting on their blocks and us executing the runs between the tackles and outside. We know they’re a blitzing team. We know when we’re running the ball, we’re going to have to pick up the blitz to spring a big one.

Q: Tell me about their two defensive tackles (Ron Brace and B.J. Raji).

A: That’s about 700 pounds between the two of them. I told (center Ted Larsen) at the beginning of the week that those two tackles were going to be a load. I remember when (former center) Leroy Harris was here, Leroy was talking about Raji and the other guy. He said, “That’s a load up there.” I told Teddy this week about them. I know it’s going to be tough up there.

Q: Those guys more than anything else free up linebackers so they can attack ballcarriers.

A: Yeah. It’s going to free them up. But we’re just going to have to make a move and get out there. (Jamelle Eugene) and myself are pretty good athletes. Not to knock or demote any of their linebackers, but we’re pretty sure we can get into open space and make a move and get upfield. So that’s what we plan on doing.

Q: Can you talk about how Coach O’Brien has been this week, facing his former team?

A: Same old Coach O’Brien. Let’s win. Let’s do it. Same, old program. Same, old Coach O’Brien. Nothing different.

Q: Could you talk about your evolution as a pass receiver, because you’re much more involved I think in the passing game than you’ve been?

A: We’ve played against a lot of teams that have shown a lot of zone and given us the backs free into space in the middle of the field. In our checkdowns, what we can do, we just catch it and get upfield.