Reeling from a home loss to No. 22 Georgia Tech last weekend, the NC State football team sets its sights on in-state rival Wake Forest and a chance at bowl eligibility.
Saturday’s homecoming blowout at the hands of the Yellow Jackets was disappointing to both players and fans alike. The Pack (5-5, 1-5 ACC) came out strong, scoring twice early, but that was the only upside on the day.
The Yellow Jackets ran for 479 yards on the ground and threw for 155 in the air, totaling 549 yards of offense. With this ugly loss behind it, the Pack now turns to Wake Forest (2-7, 0-5 ACC) hoping to turn the season around.
“Wake Forest is a well-coached football team,” NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren said at the weekly ACC coaches’ press conference. “They’re a good, hard-playing team and are getting better.”
The Pack offense came out strong as Jacoby Brissett and Shadrach Thornton each ran for a touchdown in the first quarter. Aside from the two interceptions, Brissett went 18-for-35 with 213 yards and a score. Brissett also had nine carries for 77 yards and a score to lead the Wolfpack on the day. However, dropped passes and turnovers plagued the Pack all game, leading to few scoring chances and missed opportunities.
“We dropped nine passes,” Doeren said. “You can’t turn the ball over in the red zone. I think the biggest thing is finishing drives and plays better and being smart with the football.”
It didn’t get any better on the defensive side of the ball for the Wolfpack. The Yellow Jackets ran wild, almost scoring at will the entire game. Forcing only one turnover, the Pack got pushed around all day by the triple option-led ground attack of Georgia Tech. With the Demon Deacons rolling into town Saturday, the Pack defense just might be able to regroup and find its identity once again.
“We’re going to have to move on from Georgia Tech very fast,” Doeren said. “It is the same approach, and it is our next opportunity. We’re still playing for something that is important to us: post-season play.”
Wake Forest enters Saturday’s contest with the Pack running a mediocre offense at best. Averaging 171.6 passing yards and 31.4 rushing yards, good enough for 113th and 128th nationally, the defense shouldn’t have much of a problem keeping the Deacon offense in check. Defensively, Wake Forest ranks 44th nationally in total defense, allowing 365.9 yards per game. Don’t let those numbers fool you, as the Demon Deacon defense was able to keep a high-octane Clemson offense in line for three quarters in last week’s 34-20 loss.
“[Wake Forest has] been in the game with a lot of people,” Doeren said. “They played Florida State and Louisville and were very close. They’re playing really good defense, they’ve scored on defense in multiple games and they’re very opportunistic.”
With two games remaining on the schedule, the Pack is trying to finish strong and end the season on a high note. Doeren has talked about the team’s camaraderie throughout the season and believes it’s stronger than ever.
“I’m very proud of this team,” Doeren said. “I think the football season is a lot of stuff packed into a short window; a lot of things happen. The leadership has been strong in our senior class, and some of our younger guys have done a nice job as well.”
After Saturday’s game against Wake Forest, the Pack has a bye week before traveling down the road to Chapel Hill to take on the Tar Heels in its regular season finale.
