Eagles are getting it together

Defensive cocaptain Mike McLaughlin decided something had to be done. As the players left the practice field, McLaughlin passed the word: “Meet upstairs real quick and we’ll talk about it.’’

Players-only meeting.

“Any time anything goes wrong, even if it doesn’t involve Mike, he feels he needs to address it,’’ said defensive end Alex Albright. “That’s just the type of player he is, that’s the type of leader he is. A lot of people felt inspired, jumping up and down, shouting, ‘Let’s get the Wolfpack.’ ’’

The Wolfpack would be North Carolina State, led by former BC coach Tom O’Brien, who will be coming to The Heights Saturday. Beating them will be the first step on the BC plan for recovery in the second half of a season that produced a not-so-bad 4-2 record during the first half.

The one-sided nature of the loss, however, was a reality check.

“For most of us, it was the worst [loss] we had ever been part of at an athletic event,’’ said Albright, whose ankle injury limited him to nine plays, although he had told coaches that he felt great and was ready to play more.

Yesterday, as the Eagles focused on North Carolina State, the mood shifted back in a positive direction.

“A good team moves on,’’ said McLaughlin. “The main message was to understand how good a football team we are and can be how big the N.C. State game is for us.

“This is the biggest game of the season for us. 1. because it is our next game and 2. because of the nature of our loss against Virginia Tech.’’

At the player meeting, McLaughlin delivered his message, free safety Wes Davis talked to the team, and offensive tackle Anthony Castonzo spoke, too. The message was clear: In a wide-open ACC Atlantic Division, anything is possible.

“This is a huge, huge game in terms of where we can go,’’ said McLaughlin.

To get there, however, the Eagles will have to play better, much better, against a team that, offensively, rivals Virginia Tech and Wake Forest, BC’s opponents the past two weeks.

Wolfpack quarterback Russell Wilson, who was the ACC Rookie of the Year and first-team All-ACC last season, has thrown 15 touchdown passes with only three interceptions this season. He could pose problems for the Eagles’ secondary, as did Tech’s Tyrod Taylor and Wake Forest’s Riley Skinner.

“He’s a Riley Skinner and Tyrod Taylor hybrid,’’ said Albright. “He’s the perfect balance of when to run and when to stay.’’

“That’s scary, isn’t it?’’ said McLaughlin. “He’s the best of both worlds. We have to be extra careful of someone like that.’’

For BC, the situation at quarterback is a little murkier. David Shinskie will remain the starter following a nightmare game in which he was 1 of 12 for 4 yards, with two sacks and two interceptions.

Shinskie says he is moving on - or making the attempt, although he is still searching for a reason for what went wrong against Virginia Tech.

“I’ve been through bad losses,’’ he said. “It’s almost going out in the first inning of a baseball game and giving up nine runs. Your ERA is going to be high.

“You have to come back throw nine strong innings and hold them scoreless the next time. You’ve got to put it behind you. You have to do it or you’re not going to make it.’’

Mark Blaudschun can be reached at blaudschun@globe.com.