OUR TAKE on NC State’s OFFENSE in the Wolfpack’s 35-21 Victory Over UVA

NC State won their ACC opener over Virginia at Carter-Finley Stadium today 35-21. The Wolfpack offense was efficient, racking up 433 yards of total offense, on a very balanced dose of the ground game and the air attack.

Wolfpack Receivers Make Ryan Finley Look Good

Redshirt Graduate Senior Quarterback Ryan Finley is a good quarterback, but he wasn’t sharp today. Many quarterbacks would drool to have the final stat-line that Finley finished with. He was 22 of 32 for 257 yards and 3 touchdowns (0 interceptions). That’s a completion percentage of 68.8% and a Passing Efficiency Rating of 167.15. The only way that he finished with the stats that he did today was because his wide receivers made him look way better than he was, especially Redshirt Sophomore Emeka Emezie and Junior Kelvin Harmon. Emezie finished with 5 receptions for 90 yards and a touchdown. Honestly, most of those catches were 50-50 balls at best, and Emezie made spectacular plays. Harmon finished with 6 receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown (1st of the season). His touchdown grab was an unbelievable over-the-shoulder grab in the endzone. I’m not knocking the talent of Meyers, Louis, Thomas or Riley, but Emezie is emerging as Finley’s #2 receiver.

Welcome to the Ricky Person Show

Freshman Running Back Ricky Person had been shut down the past two weeks, and his status for today’s game was unknown all week long. Person carried the ball 6 times for 5 yards against James Madison in the season opener, and didn’t show any of the explosive ability that made him the #2 running back in the 2018 recruiting class. That changed today. When NC State needed a spark, Person lit the offense on fire. Person crossed the century mark in only his second career college game. He rushed the ball 14 times for 108 yards (7.7 yards per carry). His 1st 4 rushes were mediocre, but the light switched on with carry #5 in the 2nd quarter. On carry 5 he rushed for 12 yards. The very next play he rushed for 16 yards. The play after that he rushed for 27 yards. In the 4th quarter he broke out for a 38-yarder. Person’s performance was everything the Wolfpack rushing attack has been lacking the first 3 weeks. Person and Gallaspy both carried the ball 14 times today, and I expect that number to stay close to even, and shift in Person’s favor as the season goes on.

3rd Down Magic

NC State’s offense converted on 8 of their 13 third down opportunities. That’s 62%. The Wolfpack was already converting 59% of their 3rd Downs, which ranked 4th in the FBS. It is extremely impressive that NC State continued to break the back of Virginia’s defense with third down conversion…after third down conversion.

Band of Brothers Stood Strong

The Wolfpack Offensive Line, known as the “Band of Brothers,” led a rushing attack that averaged 4.5 yards per carry, and didn’t allow Ryan Finley to be sacked a single time. Person was impressive, but he had holes and blockers to follow. They have only allowed Finley to be sacked 2 times through 4 games now.

Angeline Teases of Potential

Redshirt Sophomore Tight End Cary Angeline gave us a taste of what he is capable of today. He only had one catch, but it’s fitting that his first career reception was an over-the-shoulder 14-yard touchdown. Angeline took a bobbling ball that could have been intercepted, and showed sure hands.