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First Look: What to expect from Georgia Southern

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10 years ago

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We are only a few days away from kickoff. Game time is slated for 12:30 ET at Carter Finley Stadium. The Pack hosts the Georgia Southern Eagles. The Eagles are coming off a 7-4 record that was capped off by a big upset win in their finale against the Florida Gators in the Swamp!

Georgia Southern features a ground oriented triple option attack that is spearheaded by Quarterback Kevin Ellison’s reads. As I watched film on the Florida game it was clear that Ellison does an excellent job at reading the defensive ends, before making the decision to tuck it and run or hand it off. Their offense becomes really dangerous once Ellison breaks off a couple of big gainers. This opens up the dive to the fullback up the middle, due to the linebackers and ends watching Ellison longer.

Along with our linemen, our defensive backs must remain engaged. It can be easy for defensive backs to be caught sleeping when an opposing team runs the ball at such a high rate. However just as the safeties begin creeping up, look for Georgia Southern to take a couple of shots down the field to open the box up.

In addition to Ellison, Coach Fritz who is in his first season at the helm talked about the possibility of using Favian Upshaw a transfer from Florida International. Upshaw brings 4.3 speed at the QB position and could be a terror in the open field. Fritz is excited about having both Ellison and Upshaw at his disposal calling them “Dynamic Performers.”

While State will have the advantage in the talent category, they will have to deal with a lot of misdirection this Satruday. Willie Fritz will bring his version of the triple option to Georgia Southern following his success at Sam Houston State, there he averaged 10 wins a season and finished with an overall record of 40-15. Fritz’s offensive scheme was extremely successful at Sam Houston State, the past three season’s they were the leaders in scoring offense in the FCS.

The Pack must play assignment football come Saturday. They must be disciplined and stay at home and not allow Ellison daylight around the end. As soon as the ends collapse that is where the defense becomes vulnerably to Ellison around the end or the pitch to the halfback. They should be prepared given the amount of time the Pack have had to get ready.

We will have a full preview with our keys to the game and ‘players to watch’ coming later in the week…

 

 

 

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NC State Football

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

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13 hours ago

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April 18, 2024

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Elinus Noel III

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1 day ago

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April 17, 2024

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After Elinus Noel III (6’2″/230) entered the Transfer Portal yesterday, it didn’t take long for NC State to extend an offer.

He also has picked up offers from Baylor and Temple.

Noel III played last year at Texas Southern, which is in the FCS. As a Junior, he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

Prior to Texas Southern, Noel III spent his first two seasons at Nicholls State, where he recorded a total of 53 tackles.

247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of New Orleans (LA).

Noel III has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

With Nick Campbell entering the Transfer Portal, NC State is in the hunt for some depth at Nose Tackle. Even if the staff were to feel confident with what they have in JR Brandon Cleveland and RS-SODJ Jackson, the Wolfpack is in need of depth at the position.

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NC State Football

WATCH: In NC State’s Spring Game, Tight End Justin Joly Showed He is Going to Be Trouble for Opposing Defenses in ’24

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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It was evident NC State Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/235) is going to be a problem for opposing defenses after his performance in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. He is an extremely athletic Tight End, but he’s also bigger and more physical than I expected.

According to my calculations, Joly had 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He started things off with a 3-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a 16 yard catch across the middle through contact. Finally, Joly was the recipient of a double-reverse flea flicker, from RB Demarcus Jones II to WR Kevin Concepcion to QB Grayson McCall to him, for a 37-yard gain.

Joly transferred to NC State this offseason from UCONN, and he was the #2 Tight End in the Transfer Portal according to ON3. He had an incredible Sophomore campaign this past year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joly had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

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