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RALEIGH (AP) — Russell Wilson finally got to watch some football on television instead of in a film room. Audie Cole cleared his head by hunting for deer.

For N.C. State, a week off couldn't have come at a more opportune time.

Now it's up to the Wolfpack to put that extra time to good use for a change when they play host to No. 16 Florida State on Thursday night.

N.C. State has faced the Seminoles following the off week in each of the previous two years and lost both times in close games. The Wolfpack hope things are different this time, mainly because their stinging loss two weeks ago at East Carolina has been one of the few blips in an otherwise strong start.

"I'm personally tired of hearing about that (East Carolina) game," Cole said. "I kind of wish we could forget about it, but it is what it is, just something that you've got to remember, move on from and do better this time. I think everyone wants to go out and prove that we can still play and that we're better than that."

N.C. State (5-2, 2-1 ACC) has used its idle weeks in recent years to not only heal a few bumps and bruises, but also to try to turn things around after disappointing slow starts. Despite that disheartening loss to the Pirates, there's no pressing need to reinvent themselves this time because instead of needing to dig themselves out of a hole, the Wolfpack are very much in contention in the Atlantic Division.

"I think the team used it wisely. I think we were fatigued both mentally and physically," said coach Tom O'Brien, who added that the team didn't practice until last Thursday.

"The seven-game stretch caught up to some of them, especially the younger kids," he added. "It catches up to you. I think we did a good job off the field academically, because we made sure we got ahead with a lot of guys, and got rested, and as we got back on the field, it looked like it was a different football team, in terms of their legs and the quickness factor."

They'll need both, if the recent past is any indication.

The Wolfpack is 1-2 under O'Brien when they're coming off an off week, with both losses coming to Florida State. They were beaten by nine points two years ago and lost a wild 45-42 contest last year in Tallahassee, Fla.

The challenge for this week lies in both figuring out how to beat the Seminoles for the first time since 2006, and maintaining the high level of play that had defined the first half of the schedule.

"Our mindset is always to keep pushing and getting better," Wilson said. "Were we tired? It's tough to say. Obviously, playing seven games in a row is definitely tough, but we've had a good start to the first half of the season, and now it's time to get the second half going. We're getting ready and getting a good mindset to the second half."

That started by mentally refreshing themselves and refocusing on what gave them their best start since Philip Rivers was under center in Raleigh. For Wilson, the ACC's leader in yards passing and total offense, that meant analyzing the miscues that led to an uncharacteristic nine interceptions — he had a total of 12 during his first two seasons as the starter.

He said he spent his week off watching college and pro football and some playoff baseball — natural viewing choices for the Wolfpack's two-sport star. Meanwhile, Cole spent some quality time in the woods, looking for deer and reflecting on the season so far.

"I'm not so sure it's, like, worn out. I'm sure we could have kept playing," Cole said. "But it was definitely nice to have a week off, not only to heal your body ... (but) clear your mind and do things other than football. ... You've got to get away from it for a little while, step back, and I think it'll help us and make us come back wanting it more."