Nick Faulkner
Graduate quarterback Ryan Finley hands off to senior running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr. on Saturday, Sept. 1 at Carter-Finley Stadium. Gallaspy had 68 yards in the 24-13 win over James Madison.
The NC State football team will take on Marshall Saturday at Joan C. Edwards Stadium in Huntington, West Virginia. This past weekend the Wolfpack was ready to take on West Virginia, and the Thundering Herd was set to face South Carolina, until both games were cancelled due to Hurricane Florence. These two teams sit at a 2-0 record for the season, awaiting their chances to take another win.
Here is how the Wolfpack’s offense matches up with Marshall’s defense:
Quarterback vs. Defensive Backs
Graduate quarterback Ryan Finley will be the most impactful player in this matchup against Marshall’s defense. In the past two games, Finley has 60 completed passes on 81 attempts for four touchdowns and over 300 passing yards in each match.
Finley’s greatest opponent in this upcoming game will be safety Malik Gant. Last season when NC State faced Marshall, Gant tallied 17 tackles, nine of which were solo. In the past two games this year against Miami (Ohio) and Eastern Kentucky, the defensive back totaled 23 tackles and one sack.
Wide Receivers vs. Defensive Backs
Junior wide receiver Kelvin Harmon has been making an impact on NC State’s offense since his freshman year. Harmon has had 162 receiving yards and 12 receptions so far this season. The wide receiver has seven 100-plus receiving yard games for his career which is the fifth-best in school history.
Redshirt freshman wide receiver Thayer Thomas has made a name for himself as part of the Wolfpack this year. He was awarded the ACC Rookie of the Week after his performance against Georgia State and has 10 receptions, two touchdowns and 130 receiving yards this season.
Marshall cornerback Chris Jackson will be in pursuit of Harmon and Thomas in this weekend’s game. Jackson has tallied 13 tackles this season, but had two interceptions and nine pass breakups in 2017. He was also named to the Conference-USA All-Freshman Team in 2016.
Safety sophomore Brandon Drayton had an impressive season in 2017. Drayton finished with 62 tackles, five pass breakups and a forced fumble. Last year when these two teams met, the safety had three tackles and a pass breakup. So far this season Drayton has seven tackles, three of which were solo.
Running Backs vs. Linebackers
Graduate running back Brady Bodine has 50 rushing yards and one touchdown this season. The rushing talent doesn’t stop at Bodine; senior running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr. has scored two touchdowns as well as combining for 92 receiving yards in two games. Gallaspy was also the second leading rusher for NC State last season with 506 yards.
Linebacker Chase Hancock will be the greatest threat to the Wolfpack offense. The team captain has 23 tackles and one sack for this season. Hancock led the team last year in tackles with 128 and tackles for loss with 9.5. The linebacker also ranked No. 13 nationally in tackles for 2017.
Tight Ends vs. Defensive Line
Redshirt sophomore tight end Dylan Parham has stepped up his role on the offensive line ever since Damien Darden was injured earlier this season. Parham has totaled two receptions and 11 receiving yards in the past two games. After converting from a quarterback in 2017 he saw action in 12 games with the Wolfpack.
Defensive lineman Ty Tyler has an impressive rap sheet, tallying 10 tackles and two sacks this season. In 2017 Tyler made 25 tackles, with four tackles for loss and two sacks in 12 games.
The Pack will also get redshirt sophomore transfer Cary Angeline and redshirt sophomore Dylan Autenrieth into the lineup for the first time.
Offensive Line vs. Defensive Line
Redshirt senior offensive tackle Tyler Jones will be a big name to watch out for in this game. Jones was on the 2017 first team All-ACC selection as well as ranked second in the Power Five in sacks allowed with 13 in 13 games. He’s played every snap of the last 20 ACC games.
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Channing Hames has made a notable start after being named the Defensive MVP of the New Mexico Bowl, concluding with eight tackles, 1.5 sacks and two quarterback hurries. So far this season Hames has five tackles and two sacks.