The NC State football team heads north to Norfolk, Virginia after trouncing Eastern Kentucky Saturday for its first road test of the season against Old Dominion.
The Pack (2-0, 0-0 ACC) and Monarchs (2-0, 0-0 C-USA) have started their respective seasons off on the right foot. The Wolfpack defeated Troy and Eastern Kentucky by a combined score of 84-21, while the Monarchs squeaked by Eastern Michigan and Norfolk State. The trip to Norfolk marks the beginning of a grueling series of road games for the Wolfpack.
“We’re coming up on a stretch where six of the next eight games are on the road,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said.
Old Dominion last met the Wolfpack in a September showdown at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh last season. The Monarchs played well in the first half but were outscored 28-13 in the second half, eventually falling to the Pack 46-34.
Freshman Shuler Bentley takes over at quarterback for the Monarchs after last year’s starter, Taylor Heinicke. The 6-foot-1 Bentley has completed 30 of his 54 throws this season for 306 yards, one touchdown and one pick.
The true star of Old Dominion’s offense lies in sophomore running back Ray Lawry. Currently leading the NCAA in rushing at 438 yards, Lawry is a force to be reckoned with. The 5-foot-10 sophomore carried the ball 28 times against Eastern Michigan, accumulating 223 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that line with a two-touchdown, 215-yard performance against Norfolk State. Lawry bore a heavy workload against the Spartans, carrying the ball 31 times overall.
NC State defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable and his defense will have their hands full trying to contain the Monarch’s explosive running back.
The Wolfpack receive some more offensive muscle this week as senior running back Shadrach Thornton returns to the team after serving a two-game suspension.
“[Thornton’s] the best he’s been since I’ve been here,” Doeren said. “I’m excited he gets to play, and he’s been through a lot that he’s brought on himself, and he’s learned from it.”
Thornton joins junior running back Matt Dayes and sophomore full back Jaylen Samuels to help form a three-headed rushing monster in the backfield for the Pack.
“We feel like we have some good weapons that we can move around and be versatile with,” Doeren said.
Senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett looks to continue his stellar play this season. His 84.4 completion percentage is tops in the NCAA, and his 183.4 passer rating has him 12th-best amongst starting quarterbacks in Division I-A.
Doeren emphasized offensive execution not only by Brissett, but by the whole team.
“Whether it’s a simple run, or a three-step, or a screen, or a deep ball, they all have to be executed,” Doeren said. “We control how much they do by how we play. We just have to do a good job of controlling every situation we can.”
After Saturday’s contest in Norfolk, the Pack travels south to Mobile, Alabama for its last non-conference game of the season against the South Alabama Jaguars. The Pack begins ACC play on Oct. 3 against the Louisville Cardinals at Carter-Finley Stadium.
“Our preparation and focus is key,” Doeren said. “Being a good road team, that’s what it’s about, focusing on us and what we can control.”
