With the NC State football team already halfway through its season, here is a look at how the Wolfpack has fared thus far.
The Pack started off strong, dominating its non-conference schedule against lesser opponents by a combined score of 185-48. This set expectations high, with some NC State fans even believing that the Pack could contend with some of the top ACC teams. Then, September ended and October began.
Head coach Dave Doeren’s woes in the month of October had not gone unnoticed, as he entered the year with a combined 0-6 record in the month of October the previous two years. In 2013, it was Doeren’s first year with very few of his players on the team. In 2014, the Pack began its ACC schedule against some of the top-notch ACC programs, including Florida State and Clemson. This year, it has been a different story.
On Sept. 30, senior running back Shadrach Thornton hit a pedestrian on his moped and was charged with failure to stop and render aid and failure to provide information. The next day, Oct. 1, he was dismissed from the team. Just two days later, NC State had its first conference game against Louisville, its first true test, and it responded by rushing for just 45 yards after rushing for 330 yards and a school-record of seven touchdowns the week before.
Next up was Virginia Tech, that was still without quarterback Michael Brewer due to a broken collarbone. It didn’t matter, as backup quarterback Brenden Motley threw for 158 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett struggled in the bad weather conditions and the stout Hokie defense, throwing for just 113 yards and throwing his first interception since Nov. 8 against Georgia Tech. What does all this mean?
Well, watching the first four games, there were plenty of reasons to be excited about this team. Lesser opponents or not, the Pack absolutely dominated those games. Yes, Eastern Kentucky was a FCS school, but it was the first time it has been shut out since September 2006, with NC State’s defense forcing eight three-and-outs on 10 drives.
Then Thornton returned, and his skill set combined with junior running back Matt Dayes forms possibly one of the best one-two punches in the nation. Both runners eclipsed more than 100 yards in each of the two games, but then of course, Thornton was dismissed, derailing the Pack’s momentum it had gained early in the season.
NC State is now 4-2, winless in ACC contests, as it travels to Wake Forest after a much-needed bye week. While the Deacs have also been a struggling team in recent memory, the Wolfpack has a bad track record in Winston Salem, as it has not beaten Wake on the road since 2001. What will the Pack need to do to get back on track?
The offense needs to get reignited. Scoring 13 points per game, which it has done in both conference games, will not win games. Its identity is based on its power-run game. With Thornton gone, Dayes has been asked to carry the load, which he is more than capable of doing. Sophomore fullback Jaylen Samuels will likely be asked to run the ball more to take some of the load off Dayes. Samuels is possibly the most versatile player on the roster, and the more he is on the field, the better. Freshman Reggie Gallaspy II could also see some extended time if he continues to progress.
Brissett can also be utilized in the running game, as he is a talented dual-threat quarterback. He lacks elite speed, but his agility, combined with his strong, 6-foot-4, 235-pound frame, makes him tough to bring down. After totaling negative rushing yards against Louisville, he bounced back for 39 yards against Virginia Tech.
Brissett needs to stay true to who he is in the passing game, as the game revolves around the quarterback. He struggles with the deep ball, but has the talent around him to stick with the shorter, higher efficiency throws. Samuels has proved to be a dynamic threat, and junior wide receiver Jumichael Ramos has been a highly reliable target. While he should take shots down the field every now and then, he is best when he sticks to what is there and doesn’t force passes.
The most important thing a team can do is recognize its identity and stick to it. The offense needs a spark, and it has the runners to do it. If it can utilize the potential of the run game against ACC opponents like it did in the first four games of the season, look for the Pack to get back on track as it pursues bowl eligibility.
