The 49-21 trampling over Troy was a true team effort from the Wolfpack. There were electric runs, ground-shaking hits and trick plays that turned the opposing defense’s heads around. Here are some of the top performances of the week.
Matt Dayes
With senior running back Shadrach Thornton out the first two games due to suspension, NC State really needed Dayes to step up and carry the load. He did just that, as the junior running back had himself one heck of a day against the Trojans, leading the Wolfpack in both rushing and receiving yards. On the day, he garnered a career-high 24 carries for 128 yards and two touchdowns as well as five catches for 65 yards for a total of 191 yards from scrimmage.
“I can’t even put into words how great his performance was,” said Brissett about Dayes. “The offensive line did a great job opening up the holes for him, and he did a great job of executing and making something out of nothing.”
While this performance came against a lesser opponent, Dayes proved that he can carry the load and be an offensive weapon both in the running and passing game for the Pack. His combination of speed, strength and elusiveness will give opposing defenses fits all season as they try to wrap him up.
Jaylen Samuels
The sophomore fullback/tight end fully exemplifies the term “offensive juggernaut.” He played a “Mike Tolbert” or “Vulture” type role in the Wolfpack’s offense on Saturday, scoring on three of his four carries for 37 yards, including a 14-yard reverse that faked out the Trojan defense and just about anyone watching the game, as well as four receptions for 10 yards.
The 5-foot-11, 236-pound Charlotte native is quite possibly be the most versatile player on the entire team, possessing the blocking ability of a fullback, pass-catching ability of a tight end and athleticism of a running back. His unique skillset is invaluable to the Pack and will be key to creating matchup problems, and look for him to have a big role in the offense going forward.
Jacoby Brissett
Redshirt senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett had a virtually flawless game Saturday. His passing numbers read the following: 21-for-23, 196 yards and two touchdowns. That’s right, he only threw two incompletions, one of which was a throw-away, and the other was a narrow miss on a deep ball to junior wide receiver Jumichael Ramos.
His high magnitude of consistency will be hard to match, especially against more formidable teams such as Clemson and Florida State. However, if he continues this high level of play, he will be in the mix for ACC Player of the Year.
Play of the Game
This one should be obvious. Junior nickel Dravious Wright blitzed off the edge and demolished Troy quarterback Brandon Silvers, a hit we felt from the press box. The hit knocked his helmet off, the football out and Wright recovered the fumble he forced deep in Trojan territory. This took away any previous momentum from Troy and shifted it in favor of the Wolfpack. Additionally, it earned the eighth spot on the SportsCenter Top 10 list.
Player to watch: Jumichael Ramos
Ramos showed potential his freshman year, but he barely saw the field last season. This year, he is slated for the No. 1 wide receiver role, and he impressed, catching three passes for 45 yards and a touchdown, numbers second only to Dayes.
“He had the opening catch of the game, a good catch in traffic and really went up and got the touchdown catch,” said Doeren about Ramos. “He practiced hard, and the preparation and the belief in the process is what sets him apart. He’s a third-year player, and he’s a great example for some of our other players on how to handle success and failure.”
NC State lost three of its top-five wide receivers from last year with Bryan Underwood graduating and Bo Hines and Marquez Valdes-Scantling transferring to other schools. Ramos, along with fellow juniors Bra’Lon Cherry and Johnathan Alston, will have to pick up some of the slack as the Wolfpack looks to duplicate its balanced offensive success from last season.
