NC State football (6-3) will travel to face Louisville (2-8) Saturday afternoon. The last time these two competitors met was in 2017, when the Wolfpack came out on top 39-25. NC State will be looking for a conference win this weekend after falling to Wake Forest last Thursday.
Let’s take a look at the defensive matchup against the Cardinals:
Quarterback vs. Defensive Backs
Louisville quarterback Jawon Pass has struggled this season, completing just 54 percent of his passes with 11 interceptions, though he has been sacked 30 times. Gameplay became tough for the Cardinals when they entered into bigger conference competition. In their most recent game against Syracuse, Pass had 13 completed passes for 196 yards and one touchdown.
Freshman linebacker Isaiah Moore has become a key player for the Wolfpack as a part of the defensive team. This season, Moore has totaled 48 tackles with 2.5 sacks and one pass deflected. The freshman had an impressive game against the Demon Deacons, when he finished with two sacks and six tackles.
Wide Receivers vs. Defensive Backs
Wide receiver Dez Fitzpatrick has 29 receptions for 407 receiving yards with three touchdowns. The redshirt sophomore is averaging 14 yards per game, and posted his longest reception of the season in the most recent game against Syracuse with a 43-yard catch and run.
Redshirt junior safety Jarius Morehead has been a key defensive player for the Wolfpack, tallying four passes deflected and 30 solo tackles. Playing in the back field has allowed Morehead to display his abilities in preventing wide receivers from scoring. The safety had his best performance of the season in the Wolfpack’s last game against Wake Forest, when he secured 14 total tackles and one pass deflected.
Running Back vs. Linebacker
Running back Trey Smith leads his team in touchdowns this season with four rushing scores. Smith has 263 rushing yards and 74 receiving yards, averaging 5.3 rushing yards per attempt.
Graduate linebacker Germaine Pratt has led the defensive team this season with 91 total tackles and 5.5 sacks. Pratt poses the biggest threat to the Cardinals’ offense with his abilities to force fumbles and deflect passes.
Tight End vs. Defensive Line
Redshirt senior tight end Mickey Crum is entering his final year with the Cardinals. Crum has one touchdown with 196 receiving yards so far this season. The tight end’s best performance this year was against Florida State, when he had his longest reception of 47 yards with a touchdown.
Redshirt junior defensive end James Smith-Williams has an impressive rap sheet, with five sacks and 34 tackles this season. Williams has exerted his talents on the field through pass deflections, sacks and tackles.
Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line
Offensive lineman Cole Bentley has taken the spot of NFL lineman Geron Christian this year for the Cardinals. Bentley has two total tackles this season in attempts to protect Louisville’s offense.
Senior defensive tackle Eurndraus Bryant has been a consistent defensive player, totaling 1.5 sacks and 18 tackles this season, seven of which were solo. Bryant protects the line of scrimmage and is always in pursuit of the ball carrier.
