With ACC play imminent, the NC State football team looks to wrap up nonconference play with a win in Mobile, Alabama, over the South Alabama Jaguars.
The Pack (3-0, 0-0 ACC) meets the Jaguars (2-1, 0-0 Sun Belt) after a convincing road win last weekend at Old Dominion, 38-14. The Jaguars needed overtime to escape the San Diego State Aztecs, 34-27, in their most recent contest.
“For us, it’s about going on the road and playing another night game,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said. “We’ll wait all day to play again, and I know our guys are excited for the opportunity.”
Led by senior quarterback Cody Clements, the Jaguars have only lost once this season, a 48-9 blowout at the hands of the Nebraska Cornhuskers. Clements is having an average season at best, throwing for 725 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions while only completing 55 percent of his throws.
Sophomore running back Xavier Johnson leads the Jaguars ground attack with 291 yards on 33 carries for three scores. Junior running back Tyreis Thomas is not far behind, with 27 carries for 119 yards.
Junior tight end Gerald Everett and junior wide receiver Josh Magee head up the Jaguars receiving corps, combining for 24 catches, 488 yards and four touchdowns.
Defensively, the Jaguars aren’t rock solid. Allowing an average of 32.7 PPG in its first three games of the season, the Jaguar defense will have its hands full this weekend when the Pack comes to town.
Senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett leads a potent Wolfpack offense that has averaged 40.7 PPG in its first three games of the season. Grounded in a strong rushing attack led by senior Shadrach Thornton and junior Matt Dayes, the Pack looks to keep rolling this weekend in Mobile.
“I’d love to see us get a few quick scores too where we can get on the board [in fewer than] 12 plays,” Doeren said. “The most important thing is not turning the ball over and scoring points. As long as we can keep doing those two things, that’s what matters the most to us.”
Although Brissett has had a stellar season so far, he’s relied heavily on the short passing game. If the Wolfpack wants to be a contender in the Atlantic Division this season, Brissett needs to start throwing the deep ball consistently and accurately.
A major question mark for the Pack last season was defense, but it looks like that question mark has turned into an exclamation point just after three games this season. Defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable’s defense ranks third in the nation in total defense, allowing 11.7 PPG and 188 total yards per game. With three dominating performances, including a shutout of Eastern Kentucky and holding the nation’s leading rusher to 15 yards, this veteran Wolfpack defense looks better than ever.
“All you can control is yourself,” Doeren said. “Don’t worry about [the little things], and handle what you can handle and control what you can control.”
With a win Saturday, the Wolfpack will have won five consecutive road games dating back to last season.
“It’s a great challenge for our team,” Doeren said. “[We] haven’t had a team at NC State win five in a row on the road since 1973.”
After the matchup with the Jaguars, the Pack returns to Carter-Finley Stadium Oct. 3 to kick off ACC play against the division-rival Louisville Cardinals.
“I think our guys have handled what’s come at them really well,” Doeren said. “We’re playing with confidence. We’re in the right place. We have a good challenge this week.”
Sophomore running back Jaylen Samuels rushes 12 yards for a touchdown against the Colonels. Samuels finished the game with three carries for 24 yards and six receptions for 88 yards receiving. NC State shutout the Eastern Kentucky Colonels 35-0 in Carter-Finley Stadium on Sept. 12.
