After an important win against Clemson, NC State football hosted Miami for an ACC primetime matchup. The low-scoring affair proved to be a battle of defenses that the red-and-white won 20-6, due in large part to its impeccable defense.
The Wolfpack’s defense was the X-factor of the game, forcing four turnovers and four punts while keeping the Canes out of the endzone.
Defensive line
The Wolfpack’s defensive line had an amazing showing against the Hurricanes. Although it allowed 115 yards to Miami’s lead running back, the line held the Hurricanes’ offense scoreless and forced a turnover.
Redshirt junior defensive lineman Red Hibbler and junior defensive tackle Davin Vann both added a sack to their season and remain tied for the team lead with 5.5 sacks each. On one of the more impressive plays of the game to force one of the four turnovers on the night, Hibbler rushed around the edge, jarring the ball loose from the quarterback. Vann quickly dove on the ball, giving the NC State offense its best starting field position of the night.
The defensive line did an excellent job of reducing the big runs that have plagued it all season, and it resulted in one of its best games of the season. As long as it can continue to perform like this, expect the Wolfpack defense to remain one of the top defenses in the ACC.
Grade: A
Linebackers
After exiting early against Clemson, graduate linebacker Payton Wilson returned in dominant fashion, amassing a season-high 16 tackles, one tackle for loss and two passes defended. The injury appeared to be a non-issue for Wilson, who has led the Wolfpack in tackles eight of its nine games played. He now has 105 tackles on the season with three games remaining, and he is fifth in the entire nation in total tackles.
Lined up alongside Wilson was senior linebacker Jaylon Scott, who tallied nine tackles and one pass defended. Scott is in the midst of his best season yet and is second on the team in total tackles with 56. He has proven to be excellent in both blitzes and coverage and should continue to be the other half of this linebacker core.
Grade: A+
Secondary
The Wolfpack secondary put on arguably its best performance of the season, holding Miami quarterback Tyler Van Dyke to just 173 yards on 38 attempts and a season-low passer rating of 77.7 while also forcing three interceptions.
There was not a clear leader throughout the secondary, but many players made impactful plays. Most notably, when the Hurricanes found themselves driving into the red zone, a potential touchdown pass was snatched by junior cornerback Aydan White — his second interception of the season.
Late in the fourth quarter, the Hurricanes, down two scores, attempted a desperate drive to save the game, but Van Dyke’s 4th and 18 pass was intercepted by junior defensive back Devan Boykin, making it his second straight game with an interception, and he returned the pick for 39 yards.
Finally, in an effort to save their dignity, the Hurricanes tried one last pass as time expired, but it resulted in a pick by freshman cornerback Brandon Cisse — his first interception of his collegiate career.
The secondary has improved in its individual coverages allowing zero pass catchers over 60 yards and no plays of 20 yards or more. The restriction of big plays allowed for the defense to thrive, holding the Hurricanes to their first game without a touchdown.
Grade: A+
