NC State will face off against Louisville this Saturday in their first ACC game of the season. Here is a preview of the Cardinals key skill position players and what the Wolfpack will have to do to stop them.
Quarterback
- Freshman Lamar Jackson – 6’3″/196 lbs ( 42/70, 495 yd, 2 TD, 4 Int, 314 yd rushing)
- Sophomore Reggie Bonnafon
- RS Sophomore Kyle Bolin
All three have seen significant time under center, but after their previous game against Samford, Louisville coach Bobby Petrino looks to have settled on true freshman Lamar Jackson as his guy. Jackson is a dynamic play-maker, equally likely to burn you with his legs as he is his arm. Physically he will be the most athletically gifted QB NC State has faced this season. While Jackson will take virtually all the snaps, Petrino has hinted that Bonnafon may be too talented to keep off the field, and he may be used in an H-Back role against State.
Keys to containment
NC State historically has had a tough time with mobile quarterbacks, and few have the mobility of Lamar Jackson. To be successful the Pack will need to bring pressure early and often, yet maintain gap responsibility and not give Jackson open lanes to take off. Jackson has a tendency to try to do too much, or to try and cut back too many times while running. Do not be surprised to see NC State use a similar approach to the one they employed against UNC QB Marquise Williams, where they hit him hard every chance they could. Remember, hard hits often lead to big mistakes by Freshman QBs.
Running Back
- RS Junior Brandon Radcliff – 5’9″/214 lbs (52 rushes, 200 yd, 3 TD)
- Sophomore Jeremy Smith – 6’2″/225 (41 rush yd, 13 rec, 214 yds)
Radcliffe has been the only running back to receive a substantial amount of carries for the Cards. He is a smallish back, who was the teams leading rusher last year. He is yet to have a breakout game, and had a terrible performance against a good Clemson defense. Jeremy Smith is seldom used as a runner, but gets a load of work as a receiver. He has good size and is a plus athlete. He was banged up last week, but it appears he will be fine for the game.
Keys to containment
Simply put, to contain Radcliff NC State needs to have the same type of penetration that their Defensive Line has been giving them recently. Running back has been the position the Pack has seen the most talent at, and they have absolutely shut opposing running backs down this season. On the flip side, Linebackers and Nickelbacks must account for Smith is the passing game.
Wide Receiver/Tight End
- RS Freshman Mickey Crum – 6’4″/257 (13 rec, 161 yd)
- Freshman Traveon Samuel – 5’7″/175 (13 rec, 135 yd)
- Sophomore Ja’Quay Savage 6’3″/214 (12rec, 135yd)
- Freshman Devante Peete – 6’6″/203 (7 rec, 127yds)
This is an extremely young, but talented group. Crum’s numbers are deceiving as he has one game that is greatly skewing his stats (over 100 yds vs Houston). He has seen relatively low usage in Louisville’s other games. Samuel is similar to Nyheim Hines in that he is a high school running back who has moved to the slot at the next level. Savage has good size and uses it on the perimeter. Peete is a true big-play guy. He is a massive receiver with good speed for his size. The majority of his catches come downfield.
Keys to containment
The cornerbacks are going to have to play fast and physical. Peete and Savage will make a play on the ball when it is thrown to them. Tocho, Burris, and Stevens will have to do a better job of making a play on the ball when the opportunity presents itself. When one of the shiftier receivers makes a catch underneath in space, the Linebackers, Safeties and Nickleback will have to be sure tacklers and limit yards after the catch. This could be a game where Dravious Wright is called on to make a lot of plays.
