NC State 37 Marshall 20: Breaking Down the Box Score

NC State improved to 3-0 Saturday night, defeating Marshall 37-20 on the road under the lights.

Team Stats

Offense

• NC State had 500+ yards of total offense for the 2nd straight game (502).
• The Wolfpack had more rushing yards (125/54), passing yards (377/270) and total yards (502/324) than the Herd.
• NC State had 24 first downs, compared to Marshall’s 15.
• The Wolfpack won the time of possession battle by almost 10 minutes (34:40/25:20)
• NC State converted 56.3% (9 of 16) of their third down opportunities. On the year, they are a solid 58.5% on third down.
• The Band of Brothers allowed Finley to be sacked 1 time, which is only the 2nd time he’s been sacked in 3 games. Marshall was averaging 3.5 sacks per game heading into the contest.
• On a negative note, the Wolfpack only averaged 3.5 yards per carry in Huntington. Yes, it was higher than their season average of 3.3 heading into the game, but far from where you want it to be.

Individual Offense

• Senior Running Back Reggie Gallaspy carried the ball 22 times for 81 yards and 2 touchdowns. The 22 carries were a career high, and the 81 yards (Syracuse – 2015) and 2 touchdowns (4 different teams) tied career highs. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry, which is an improvement on the 3.3 yard average he brought into the contest, but still not where you want it to be. Gallaspy averaged 4.6 yards per carry his first three seasons in Raleigh, but hasn’t been able to find the same success as the main rusher.
• Redshirt Graduate Senior Quarterback Ryan Finley 23 of 40 for 377 yards and 1 touchdown. The 377 yards in the air were the second highest mark of his career (415 – South Carolina – 2017). Finley has passed for 300+ yards in his first three games of 2018, making him only the 3rd ACC quarterback since 2000 to do so. He has passed for 1,056 yards through 3 games. Philip Rivers is the only Wolfpack quarterback to pass for more yards through the 1st 3 games (1,068 in 2003 and 1,069 in 2000). His Passing Efficiency Rating was 144.9, and his season rating is an impressive 153.9.
• Junior Wide Receiver Kelvin Harmon had 6 receptions (9 targets) for 150 yards, which was only 5 yards shy of his single-game career high (155 yards – Clemson – 2017). He has now crossed the century mark in consecutive games, which he did twice last season. Harmon has never had 3 consecutive 100-yard performances, but he will have the chance to do so against UVA on Saturday.
• Even with Redshirt Graduate Senior Stephen Louis and Redshirt Junior Jakobi Meyers back in the mix, Sophomore Wide Receiver Emeka Emezie was targeted 9 times (tied for most with Harmon), and had 6 receptions (tied for most with Harmon) for 69 yards and a touchdown. The 69 receiving yards were a new career high (67 yards – Wake Forest – 2017), and the touchdown was only the 2nd of his career.
• Redshirt Sophomore Tight End Cary Angeline didn’t have a catch in his first game. Jakobi Meyers only had 2 receptions for 29 yards, but was targeted 6 times, which was the third most on the team. Stephen Louis had 3 receptions (4 targets) for 58 yards, which are both season-highs. Redshirt Freshman Thayer Thomas had 2 receptions for 45 yards before being knocked out of the game. The truth is there are so many weapons in the Wolfpack receiving corps, and any of these guys can go for over 100-yards in a given game, but there are only so many balls to go around.

Defense

• The Wolfpack defense only allowed Marshall 324 total yards of offense, which is the lowest total of the season. In fact, the NC State ‘D’ has given up less total yards each consecutive week this season (365/346/324).
• Marshall was averaging 130 yards of rushing per game, but were held to 54 net yards rushing (2.5 yards per carry).
•  NC State held the Marshall offense to a 35.3% conversion rate on third down, which was lower than their season average of 42%. Through 3 games, the Wolfpack is holding their opponents to a 39.5% 3rd down conversion rate.
• For the first time in 2018, NC State won the turnover battle (3:1). The Wolfpack had 2 interceptions and 1 fumble recovery, and the interceptions were the first of the season. Each time they took the ball away, it equaled points on the board (10 points scored off turnovers). NC State hasn’t had a negative turnover ratio through 3 games.

Individual Defense

• Redshirt Graduate Senior Linebacker Germaine Pratt led the Wolfpack with 11 tackles, and he has now led the team in tackles in each of the first three games. Pratt has had double-digit tackles in 2 of the 3 games in 2018.
• Marshall Wide Receiver Tyre Brady lit NC State up for 248 yards last year, but was kept in check by Junior Cornerback Nick McCloud. Brady was targeted 10 times, but was held to 3 receptions for 25 yards. McCloud has been extremely impressive through 3 games, following the best receiver around like a shadow. He also recovered a fumble in the game.
• Sophomore Cornerback Chris Ingram snagged his first career interception.
• Redshirt Junior Safety Jarius Morehead intercepted a pass, and ran it back for his first pick-six. It was his 2nd career interception.