NC State football isn’t exactly known for explosive offense under head coach Dave Doeren. However, the Wolfpack made a concentrated effort to secure playmakers across the board to ensure it has a potent offense. While the new additions have played well, the offense is 15th in the ACC in yards per game. With sufficient talent to form at least a competent offense, it appears that play calling is holding back the red-and-white’s offense from maximizing its potential.
NC State’s offensive play-calling issues can be boiled down into one major issue — needlessly conservative play-calling. This issue places the Wolfack’s offense in unfavorable positions, especially on third downs, and adds pressure on the defense to completely shut down opposing offenses.
After losing graduate quarterback Grayson McCall and being forced to play freshman quarterback CJ Bailey, it’s understandable why the Wolfpack tried to play things safe. Freshmen often make mistakes, however, the conservative strategy blew up in NC State’s face in the first quarter against Clemson, showing the need for the Wolfpack to adjust.
Instead, the Pack has only grown more risk-averse, limiting turnovers at the expense of moving the ball consistently. The most glaring example of this is the Wolfpack’s use of sophomore receiver KC Concepcion.
Stop me if you’ve heard this before — NC State passes to Concepcion for a gain of zero yards. The Wolfpack has rightfully emphasized getting the football to Concepcion, however, it has completely misused the sophomore star.
Concepcion is at his best when he gets the football over the middle of the field and can make plays in space. However, NC State has focused its efforts to get Concepcion the football with screens and jet passes, both behind the line of scrimmage. In his past two games, despite making 10 catches, he only has 27 yards. The results of this strategy are clear — Concepcion racks up receptions, but isn’t put in a position to pick up yards.
So how should the Pack incorporate Concepcion into its offense?
NC State should utilize Concepcion similar to last year, allowing him to threaten the defense at all three levels. For example, in an impressive showing against Clemson, Concepcion ran a six-yard drag route that he turned into a 73-yard touchdown. The simple route placed Concepcion away from the chaos of the line of scrimmage and gave him a running start to escape the Tiger defense.
Against Virginia Tech, the Pack allowed Concepcion to showcase his speed on a slot fade that ended in a 30-yard touchdown. By sending Concepcion deep, the Hokie defense had to account for the receiver running both short and deep routes, opening up space for him to operate. Instead of relegating Concepcion to the line of scrimmage, NC State must use the sophomore in a variety of routes to maximize his talent. While more routes risk mistakes from Bailey, it is a move that opens up the offense.
The Pack’s usage of Concepcion is just one of many examples of how a conservative approach is holding the red-and-white back. Another is how NC State approaches third downs.
In its game against Clemson especially, the Wolfpack seemed to make minimal attempts at converting third downs. Trailing already on its first drive, the Pack ran a quarterback draw on third-and-7, refusing to even place the ball in the air. Two drives later, down by 21, NC State waved the white flag on a third-and-13 with a screen to Concepcion.
It wasn’t till the red-and-white was down 28 and out of the game that the offense turned up its aggressiveness. While NC State almost certainly was bound to fall at Clemson, it could have given itself at least a shot against the Tigers if it rolled the dice and tried to throw to the first down marker.
While offensive coordinator Robert Anae is in charge of the offense, Doeren remains responsible for the team’s results — good and bad. His offenses are often characterized by their conservative play and it doesn’t seem like that’s set to change anytime soon. However, if the 2024 Wolfpack offense is to fully reach its potential, a philosophical shift is necessary.
Players must be put into positions that create opportunities for explosive plays — even if those plays also offer some risk. Until that adjustment is made, the Wolfpack will be inconsistent at best offensively.
