Dave Doeren is gearing up his team for another season opener. He talked about what makes him anxious when it comes to the first game of the season.

Doeren revealed that there are plenty of unknowns in season openers. There are players who come alive in games and some who falter. Doeren is just as ready for the first game as anyone.

“There’s a lot of unknowns. You think you know what you have going into the first game, but then under the lights there’s gamers. Sometimes guys emerge, and sometimes guys shrink. I’m anxious to see the guys on gameday and see them play and work hard. It’s a really close-knit team. For me it’s more so anxious, I just wanna see it. Once we get the jitters out of some of the younger guys, that’s when we know it’s gonna get better.”

Fans will have a chance to what players succeed under the lights in East Hartford, Connecticut. There is no telling which players will surprise Doeren on Thursday.

A new star could rise for the Wolfpack. Who knows?

N.C. State faces UConn in Week 1 of the 2023 college football season. Kickoff will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on CBSSN.