The NC State football team played its third game of the season Saturday, the last nonconference game before the Pack begins ACC play, versus the Marshall Thundering Herd. NC State escaped with a win, 37-20.
The wide receivers again looked like the best part of this team, and graduate quarterback Ryan Finley continued his dominance as well. However, the defense did an incredible job in this game as well, and will look to contribute to more wins such as this one. Here is how each position group performed:
Quarterback: A-
Finley is averaging 352 yards and 1.7 touchdowns per game, and astounding is the only way to describe his play so far. The game against Marshall was nothing less, as Finley passed for 377 yards on 58 percent completion to go along with one touchdown pass to sophomore Emeka Emezie. Finley looks sharp each and every game, which will be much needed for the overall success of this team.
Wide Receivers: A+
Junior Kelvin Harmon was the hero of the game, amassing 150 yards on six catches, an average of 25 yards per catch. For his heroics, Harmon was named one of two Wolfpack ACC Players of the Week. Emezie caught this group’s only touchdown, to go along with 69 yards on six catches.
Graduate Stephen Louis, redshirt freshman Thayer Thomas, redshirt junior Jakobi Meyers, redshirt sophomore C.J. Riley and freshman running back Trent Pennix combined for 158 yards on only 11 receptions, for an average of 14.4 yards per reception, showing the sheer depth and talent the Wolfpack has.
Running Backs: C+
The running game looked more impressive than in the last game, but still, work must be done here. Senior Reggie Gallaspy Jr. recorded 81 rushing yards and two touchdowns which was good, but only averaged 3.7 yards per attempt. Pennix also averaged 3.7 yards per attempt and recorded 33 yards. Louis also ran the ball once, recording 12 yards. Recording 125 yards on the ground is never a bad thing, but the group for now looks only slightly above average on its best day of the year so far, so this group will need to step up when the Pack starts ACC games next week.
Tight Ends: C-
Redshirt sophomores Cary Angeline and Dylan Autenrieth had no catches, and neither was even targeted. This meant that the entire game, the tight ends worked on the offensive line for blocking purposes. This is how the Pack utilizes the tight ends on the roster, but Angeline is a strong target that was not even used.
Offensive Line: B
The offensive line allowed for a single sack and a few quarterback hits, but for the most part provided Finley with space to throw and holes for the running backs to use. Another solid showing for a strong offensive line group.
Offense Overall Grade: B
Defensive Line: B
The defensive line only accounted for one sack this game, from redshirt junior James Smith-Williams, who also had another tackle for loss. The defensive line also only accounted for 13 of the 72 tackles the Pack recorded on Saturday. However, the d-line was able to provide abundant enough pressure and only allowed 54 rushing yards and no rushing touchdowns. The d-line looks like an overall area of consistency for the Pack, which is reassuring to say the least.
Linebackers: A
The linebackers had a very solid outing, with 20 tackles (one for loss) between graduate Germaine Pratt and sophomore Louis Acceus. This group kept after the Marshall running backs, punishing them constantly, and helped force shaky throws. The linebackers and defensive front looked strong as a whole.
Defensive Backs: A+
Redshirt junior Jarius Morehead was the other hero of the game, recording a pick six on Marshall quarterback Isaiah Green, to go along with six tackles. Sophomore Chris Ingram also recorded an interception on Green. As a whole, this defensive back crew looked radically improved and recorded 24 total tackles.
Defense Overall Grade: A-
Special Teams: A
The difference between senior punter A.J. Cole III and freshman kicker Christopher Dunn in the first game of the season versus this game is astronomical. Cole punted for a total of 145 yards, averaging 36.2 yards per punt, and Dunn scored 13 points on 3 of 4 field goals (a long of 32 yards) and went 4 for 4 on extra points. Redshirt senior Maurice Trowell and Riley had a pair of nice kick returns as well, each with 22 yards.
Overall Grade: B+
Players of the Game:
Harmon — six receptions, 150 yards, 25 yards per catch
Pratt — 11 tackles, three solo, one tackle for loss, two QB hits
Smith-Williams — four tackles, two solo, one sack, two tackles for loss, two QB hits
Emezie — six receptions, 69 yards, one touchdown
Morehead — six tackles, two solo, one pick-six
Gallaspy — 22 carries, 81 yards, two touchdowns
Overall, the Pack played well at nearly every position, and the only issue still would be the need to establish an even stronger run game, but even that group had a somewhat impressive outing.
