The NC State football team won its first conference game of the year Saturday against Wake Forest, 35-17. Here is a look at some of the top performances from the victory.
Mike Rose and Darian Roseboro
The defensive line, led by Rose and Roseboro, dominated the trenches Saturday, registering six sacks, four pass deflections, three quarterback hurries and one forced fumble.
Rose was seemingly impossible to block, registering three sacks on the game, two of which came in the first quarter. He now has a team-high 6.5 sacks on the season. Rose has stepped up as a key leader of the defense that has plenty of talent to go around.
Roseboro logged his second multi-sack performance of the season, with his first coming against South Alabama. He logged four tackles, two sacks and two pass deflections, one of which he almost intercepted. The freshman is an intriguing talent who has earned more playing time in the crowded defensive line rotation.
Matt Dayes
After rushing for less than 70 yards in each of the first two conference games, Dayes bounced back for his best performance of the season. He rushed for a career-high 205 yards and two touchdowns on just 16 carries, including a career-long 85-yard touchdown run. His rushing total ranks fifth all-time in a single game in NC State history. Additionally, his 12.8 yards per carry is the second highest in school history.
There were questions on whether Dayes could handle a full workload after Shadrach Thornton was dismissed. He silenced those Saturday, proving that he has the speed to break runs outside and the elusiveness to make defenders miss between the tackles. The offense seemed lost when Dayes wasn’t involved in the game. On the season, he has 125 carries for 793 yards and a conference-high 12 touchdowns.
Maurice Trowell
The freshman wide receiver came into the game with just two catches for eight yards. Saturday, he led the Wolfpack in receiving with four catches for 87 yards and his first career touchdown. He could have had a second touchdown in the fourth quarter, as he was left uncovered in the end zone, but senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett didn’t spot the coverage breakdown.
Trowell sees most of his time in relief of junior wide receiver Jumichael Ramos. He is still young and adjusting to the college game, but he possesses quality speed and the ability to get open down the field. Look for Brissett to take more shots down the field as Trowell and fellow freshman Nyheim Hines see more playing time.
Play of the Game
On the third offensive play of the game, Brissett seemed to be wrapped up for the sack. However, he shook off the defender and escaped the collapsing pocket. Trowell noticed this, and adjusted his route to get wide open down the field for the 59-yard catch-and-run touchdown.
The team struggled offensively in its first two ACC games, totaling just 26 points and 496 yards. Trowell’s touchdown jumpstarted the Wolfpack offense that went on to score 28 points and tally 320 yards in 17 plays in the first quarter alone.
This team looked completely different than the one that showed up against Louisville and Virginia Tech. If it can play like it did in the first quarter, it will be a force to be reckoned with when it faces more formidable conference teams.
Player to Watch: Shawn Boone
With fellow sophomore safety Josh Jones struggling in pass coverage, Boone has seen more time at the strong safety position, starting his first game of the season against Wake Forest.
While Boone is slightly undersized at 5-foot-10, he has played well in limited time, recording three tackles and a sack Saturday. Additionally, he ranked second on the team in special teams tackles last season. While he is still splitting time with Jones, he could take over the position full-time if he continues to play well.
