Following a blowout loss against Clemson, the NC State Football team looks to end its two-game skid this weekend at home against ACC rival Boston College.
Saturday’s shutout from Clemson left NC State fans stunned, as the Wolfpack (4-2, 0-2 ACC) looked nothing like the team that fought to the end against Florida State. The Tigers’ offense put on a clinic while their defense held the Pack offense to zero points on the day.
“We got hit in the face early,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “The first play was wide open and they tipped it. We went three and out on offense and it started progressing from there.”
The once-potent Wolfpack offense had a less than stellar day on Saturday, despite coming into the game with the most productive offense in the ACC, averaging 505 yards per game. Clemson’s defense didn’t get that memo, and held State to 154 total yards and zero points.
Redshirt quarterback Jacoby Brissett wasn’t himself as he went 4-for-18 for 35 yards and no scores. A State rushing attack that previously averaged 248 yards on the ground was only able to muster just 119 yards on 38 attempts.
The defense didn’t perform well either, surrendering 493 yards of offense to the Tigers. True freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson picked apart the Wolfpack secondary throwing for 297 yards and two scores. Clemson wideout Mike Williams also had a career day with six catches for 155 yards and two touchdowns. The defense needs to regain its identity if the Pack wants to get back to its winning ways.
A return to Carter-Finley Stadium just might be what the Pack needs as it takes on the Eagles (3-2, 0-1 ACC) Saturday afternoon.
The Pack faces the Boston College Eagles who are coming off a bye week, and the jury’s still out on how good this Boston College team is. The Eagles have had their share of highs and lows this season with an upset victory over then-No. 9 University of Southern California, followed by a loss to Colorado State that had everyone scratching their heads.
There is one thing that both the Eagles and the Pack have in common: both of their starting quarterbacks were former teammates at the University of Florida. Redshirt senior quarterback Tyler Murphy transferred to Boston College this past January, and Brissett transferred to State in January 2013.
Murphy poses a threat more with his legs than with his passing game. He leads a Boston College rushing attack that ranks sixth in the country, averaging 316.8 yards on the ground. Murphy himself has run for 579 yards and six touchdowns this season. As far as his passing goes, Murphy’s thrown for 660 yards, three touchdowns, and six interceptions on the year.
Boston College prides itself on its defensive presence. Coming in ranked 13th in total defense, the Eagles have allowed 20.4 points per game on the season. The Eagles are less about forcing turnovers and more about stopping the run game, ranking 25th in yards allowed.
“They’re [Boston College] third in the ACC in total offense and first in rushing offense and rushing touchdowns,” Doeren said. “They’re fourth in the league in defense. They’re doing some good things. They’re a good time of possession team and they eat clock. That made a difference last year.”
The matchup to watch for will be State’s rushing attack of Dayes, Thornton, and Creecy against the stingy rushing defense of Boston College. The offensive line needs to step up if they want to create any holes for the running game.
Brissett and his receiving corps also face the best passing defense the Pack has faced all season, as the Eagles rank 24th in passing yards allowed this season. Offensive coordinator Matt Canada will need to be on his toes come Saturday to help his offense get back on track.
Saturday marks the only home game of October for the Wolfpack, and the team heads on the road next week for a trip to Louisville. State’s next home game falls on Nov. 8 with the homecoming matchup against Georgia Tech on the slate.
