In The End Zone For Dayes

With Shadrach Thornton out for the first two games of the season due to suspension, NC State Junior Matt Dayes has had the opportunity to show his coaches what he can do with more opportunity.

In both games, Dayes has carried the ball 24 times, which is higher than any total from his precious two seasons. He also has rushed for 100+ yards in consecutive games (126 & 116), and his previous career high was 86 yards last season against Presbyterian.

In his first 2 seasons, Dayes showed a knack for getting in the end zone, and he has only amplified that reputation in the first two games. After collecting 13 touchdowns last season (8 rushing & 5 receiving) as a Sophomore, Dayes has 5 rushing touchdowns in the first two games of 2015. His 30 points scored is good for the top spot in the ACC, and 5th in the FBS.

Dayes is only two games into his Junior campaign, and his 17 career rushing touchdowns already ranks 11th in NC State history, and his 23 total touchdowns ranks 9th.

His 242 rushing yards in the first two games of the season is the most a Wolfpack player has had in the opening two games since Joe McIntosh did it in 1983.

A player of Thornton’s talent can’t stay off the field, but Dayes has proven that he deserves an increased workload even with his return.