Redshirt senior Jimmie Sutton III has faced great offenses before. He has defended big-time wide receivers such as Calvin Johnson and faced quarterbacks like Matt Ryan. But this weekend’s game against Louisville may be his hardest test yet.

After giving up 608 yards of total offense against Clemson last week, the task only gets harder for Sutton and the defense, as quarterback Brian Brohm and wide receivers Mario Urrutia and Harry Douglas come to Carter-Finley Stadium. Sutton said the defense isn’t treating this like any other game.

“The defensive secondary is taking it very personal,” Sutton said. “We’re getting after it and watching film a lot more. We’re studying the two great receivers and the great quarterback more than we’ve studied any set of receivers and quarterback this season.”

In four games this season, Louisville is averaging almost 620 yards in total offense, which is the nation’s highest mark, as well as 50 points per contest. By contrast, N.C. State is averaging just 324 yards and 24.5 points.

Defensive backs coach Mike Reed said there is only so much you can do to stop Brohm, a popular preseason pick for the Heisman Trophy. Brohm has completed 68 percent of his passes, and he has a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 5 to 1 this season.

“There is really nothing on that quarterback that you can exploit because he is a great quarterback,” Reed said. “You can only try to scheme things in order to take advantage of some of the offensive plays and the players that he has, and we’ll go from there.”

While the team has struggled, the Wolfpack’s defensive backs have put up good numbers this season. Opposing quarterbacks are only averaging 161.2 yards per game with a completion percentage of 52.5 percent. Sutton said the secondary should never be content with how they’re playing, though.

“I think there is always room for improvement,” Sutton said. “I don’t think I’ve given up any touchdown passes or given up any big plays, but you have to look at it as a team. I definitely think we can pull more out of our secondary and our defense as a whole.”

Sutton will be matched up on Saturday against Mario Urrutia (6-6, 220) of the Cardinals. Urrutia has 22 catches for 350 yards and two touchdowns so far this year. Sutton, who is 5′ 11″ and weighs 181 pounds, said competing against an offense like Louisville’s is exciting.

“It’s the opportunity of a lifetime to play against two great, All-American receivers and a quarterback who is a Heisman candidate,” Sutton said. “It’s just something that you have to take personally as a defensive back.

You have to take pride in playing against people that are that good because if you want to call yourself the best, you definitely have to play against the best, and this weekend, we’ll get to make that decision.”

Reed said Sutton is looked to for leadership in games like this.

“He’s a leader, works hard, and he’s very coachable,” Reed said. “He leads by example, and that’s what you like out of guys. You like guys that put in their time and get better.”

While State’s defensive secondary has not given up more than 300 yards passing this season, Brohm and the Cardinals have not failed to reach that mark in the four games they have played. Logic follows that something has to give. At least Sutton believes he knows what is going to happen.

“I’m really excited to play against that guy,” Sutton said. “I think that we’re going to hold him to a lot less than he has been putting up against other people.”