Sitting at 2-1, the NC State football season is at a turning point. The easy part of the nonconference schedule is over, and conference play awaits. The conference slate starts with Wake Forest on Saturday, which is supposed to be one of the easier games on NC State’s schedule. Wake Forest finished last season 3-9 after losing its final six games of the season. The Demon Deacons’ offense was ranked 113th last season, and they won only one ACC game.

This season, Wake Forest has already surpassed that win total, starting out 4-0 for the first time in 10 years and matching its ACC win total just a third of the way into the season. It will be a tough matchup for NC State at home, who hasn’t lost to Wake Forest in Carter-Finley Stadium in its last seven matchups.

Defensive Line           

The defensive line for NC State had a field day bottling up Old Dominion’s star running back Ray Lawry for just 14 yards on nine carries, and registering five sacks on the afternoon. Star defensive end Bradley Chubb wreaked havoc in the ODU backfield all day, and junior defensive end Kentavius Street continued his recent hot streak.

Wake Forest’s defensive line has done well to limit opposing rushing attacks, allowing only 2.7 yards per rush to opposing ball carriers. The defensive line is led by redshirt junior Duke Ejiofor, who has 16 tackles and 4.5 sacks this season. The Wake Forest defense has made it a priority to stop rushing attacks, and NC State running backs will be the focus of the Wake Forest defense. If the defensive line can limit Wolfpack running backs, it will open opportunities for the talented linebackers and secondary.

Advantage: NC State

Linebackers

NC State’s linebackers rebounded from their weak performance against East Carolina to post a solid game against Old Dominion. The Old Dominion rushing attack was stopped in its tracks, only getting loose for a 65-yard touchdown run when the second stringers had started to trickle into the game. The defense made several subs throughout the game, including using sophomore Riley Nicholson in pass coverage in favor of junior Airius Moore. Moore is a terrific competitor and great in run support, but has been burned on several occasions by faster backs, specifically on wheel routes. The change to Nicholson on certain passing downs can only stand to improve the defense’s cover skills.

The Demon Deacon linebackers are experienced and talented, led by senior Marquel Lee, who has 22 tackles this season, including three tackles for loss. While this unit is still talented, it is the one unit the Wolfpack may be able to attack. The defensive line and secondary have been good for the Deacons this season, while the linebackers have failed to make a huge impact.

Advantage: NC State

Secondary

The Wolfpack secondary wasn’t tested that much by the weak Old Dominion offense, but when it was it passed the test. The only chink in the armor was the performance of senior wide receiver Zach Pascal, who corralled eight receptions for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Pascal is a good player, and he was the only player to have any success against the Wolfpack secondary. It will be interesting to see how NC State handles Wake Forest junior tight end Cam Serigne.

The surprising star of the unit for Wake Forest has been redshirt freshman safety Jessie Bates, who leads the team in tackles with 26 and is tied for the team lead in interceptions with two. The entire defensive unit has combined for six interceptions and three fumble recoveries, which has helped the team to its fast start.

Advantage: Wake Forest

Special Teams

The Wolfpack didn’t attempt a field goal, and it was perfect on extra point opportunities, so we can’t rag on them for anything regarding that. However, we can recognize that the special teams unit continues to make crucial mistakes. The unit was hit with two penalties that negated a Wolfpack touchdown and gave Old Dominion good field position after an unnecessary roughness penalty in the end zone. The unit has also consistently failed to get touchbacks on kickoffs this season, allowing opposing teams better field position. This unit has a long way to go.

Wake Forest redshirt junior placekicker Mike Weaver is 4 for 5 on field goal attempts with a long of 46 yards. He did miss a 31-yard attempt against the University of Delaware. The Wake Forest kickoff and punt teams have been solid this season but they haven’t generated anything on returns, with six total punt returns going for a total of -1 yards.

Advantage: Wake Forest