In all three losses the N.C. State football team has suffered this season, the team’s performance has regressed.
A 26-14 home loss to No.3 Clemson on Sept. 19 was understandable. State’s loss at Wake Forest on Oct. 5 was unexpected. And Saturday’s loss to Syracuse at Carter-Finley Stadium has seemingly incited panic in Wolfpack Nation.
It’s hard to place the blame on just one facet of the game. I’m generally reluctant to question coaching decisions. I’ve never been and never will be a coach, but when head coach Dave Doeren elected to pass up a field goal on 4th-and-2 from the Syracuse eight-yard line in the second quarter, I scratched my head.
In accordance with conventional wisdom, the team should always take the points; especially in a game where, at least for the first three quarters, points were largely at a premium.
I once again scratched my head when State faked a field goal from the Syracuse 31-yard line trailing 10-7 toward the end of the third quarter.
Junior kicker Niklas Sade had missed badly from 51 yards earlier in the period, but he has been mostly reliable this season, going 11-14 before Saturday.
Granted, it was a rainy day, which isn’t the best atmosphere for kicking, but fans need to have faith in the kicker.
Another reason it’s hard to question coaching decisions is because if a risky play works, the coach looks like a genius. If even one of Doeren’s gambles had paid off, everyone would be praising him.
Though I don’t agree with either decision, there is no need to say that Doeren isn’t a good coach. Two plays alone don’t lose a game. That’s never the case.
The Wolfpack was gashed by the Orange’s running back duo of junior Jerome Smith and senior Prince-Tyson Gulley, both of whom rushed for more than 100 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Terrell Hunt added 92 yards and a touchdown of his own. It was a stark contrast from last week’s loss to Wake, where the Pack was largely burned through the air.
The Pack’s running game was kept in check by Syracuse’s defense. As a team, the Pack averaged just 2.9 yards per carry. In Doeren’s run-first offense, that isn’t going to cut it.
The Wolfpack committed just four penalties, a season low. Freshman cornerback Jack Tocho intercepted Hunt twice. State only turned the ball over once, down from three giveaways in the Wake game.
But once again, other areas let the Wolfpack down. When State plays a complete game, such as the one it played against Central Michigan, the results are fantastic. Unfortunately, that has been the exception rather than the rule so far this season.
This is probably the best time for a bye week. Injured and reeling after a tough loss, the Pack has two weeks to prepare for a difficult trip to No. 5 Florida State on Oct. 26.
