No. 24 NC State offensive line coach Garrett Tujague met with the media Monday afternoon before the Wolfpack’s season opener against Western Carolina.

NOTE: Click on the video in the player above to watch Tujague’s interview.

About his enthusiasm for the talent and depth of his offensive line …

I’m excited for the second year, a lot. They’ve prepared really well over the summer and they understand each other at a much higher level. The guys are finishing sets. I start and they finish them. I’m really excited and looking forward to seeing the ball.

On the difference between last year and this year…

(That’s at home) 100 percent. Again, we understand each other at a much higher level and understand the expectations. Every day this summer they said, ‘Hey, let’s keep going.’ They ran their inside run game without me or coach being there (Brian) Green be with them. They’ve given it their all. There’s great leadership in this room. I’m really looking forward to Thursday night.

About the experienced players who help the newbies…

It’s phenomenal. Actually, the guys that were here in the spring might have struggled a little bit, but then to spend the whole summer with these guys and then do the whole fall camp… A lot of times I’ll train a guy here and Zeke (Correll), (Anthony Belton), or Tim (McKay) is going to coach a younger player. The trust level is limitless right now considering the number of sentences we can say to each other. Now I’m very excited. The best thing about this group right now is the legacy they leave. We’re only judged on that, so is the room better when they leave or is it going back? Dylan (McMahon) did a great job of that last year. I think that’s why we’re having success with it.

On the ceiling of the O-line …

(Reaches far beyond his head) Here. As high as possible. That’s the expectation.

When the group goes day by day or discusses seasonal goals…

It’s absolutely day by day, play by play. You’re only as good as your last play, so film it.

To Matt McCabe Switch to tight end…

It’s great. The more you can do, the more you can do. The more available you are and the more reliable you are, the more you can do. I’m happy for him. The first game will be interesting. It would just be great to see him on the field and help us both in the running and passing game.

On the parallels between McCabe and what Jacarrius Peak last season …

Honestly, I think Matt has a slight edge.

When I saw his teachings come to fruition on the field and in life…

That’s a coach. That’s a coach. It’s not what I can do or what I know that matters. It’s what they can do and what they know that matters. It’s very fulfilling when your players reach that pinnacle. If I can make a difference in one of them, I’ve had a very successful life. I really enjoy seeing them achieve their goals, set goals, work hard, work through them and then achieve them. It’s very exciting and very fulfilling.