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Keys to an NC State Victory over #3 Clemson

Published

6 years ago

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#15 NC State’s matchup versus #3 Clemson is the biggest game for the Wolfpack in recent memory. Here are my keys to a Wolfpack victory.

Get to Trevor Lawrence early and often

Head Coach Dave Doeren made the point earlier in the week on his radio show that a key to the game will be rattling Freshman Clemson Quarterback

“What do you do? You hit him. You try to get him out of rhythm, you try to make him see things he hasn’t seen and you have to make plays,” Doeren said. “Rattle him a little bit. He hasn’t been rattled…You can just get him to question what he’s looking at a little bit, give the D-line a little bit more time to get there and the blitzes a little more time to get there and get him on his back more than he wants to be on his back. All of those things add up back. But that’s easier said than done.” (Link)

Somehow Doeren took criticism this week for his comments, as if there is something wrong with emphasizing sacking the quarterback. ClemsonInsider, wrote this critique of Doeren’s words that we’re as soft as Charmin Extra Strength.

Lawrence is extremely talented, but NC State will want to make him win the game for the Tigers. He leads the ACC in passing efficiency rating, but he is a frosh, and the Wolfpack’s chances of winning will be better if Lawrence’s Jersey is stained with brown and green at the end of the day.

Stop the Chunk Plays

Clemson ranks 5th in yards per play, but their ability to hit the home run play are what set them apart. The Tigers have 12 plays thus far in 2018 that have gone for 50+ yards, which is tops in the NCAA. Clemson is going to make plays, but the Safeties and the Nickelbacks will have to have perfect pursuit angles and not give up the big plays.

Play Smart

The past two times that NC State has played Clemson, they have shot themselves in the foot through a lack of self-discipline. Last year the Wolfpack had 6 penalties, compared to the Tigers 3. In 2016, NC State committed an audacious 13 penalties, compared to Clemson’s 5.

The Wolfpack needs to play a clean game, even though emotions will be high.

Make Field Goals

Freshman Place Kicker Chris Dunn might be the most valuable player in today’s game. Over the past two years, NC State has only made 2 of their 7 field goal attempts against Clemson. Dunn has made 8 of his 11 field goal attempts through the first 5 games.

Battle of the Trenches

The Tigers boast a future NFL defensive line, but NC State’s offensive line is simply one of the best in the nation as well. If NC State can find a way to get Thunder (Reggie Gallaspy) and Lightning (Ricky Person) to be productive day, Ryan Finley will have a strong advantage throwing against man-to-man coverage to the Wolfpack’s elite receivers.

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Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Football

ON3: NC State’s Dave Doeren is 1 of the Top-25 Best Coaches in College Football

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4 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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ON3’s Jesse Simonton ranked the Top-25 College Football Coaches heading into the 2024 season, and NC State’s Dave Doeren ranks 23rd.

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Here’s what Simonton had to say about Doeren:

23. Dave Doeren, NC State

Doeren became the Wolfpack’s all-time winningest head coach last season, overcoming all manors of offensive ineptitude to win eight games for the fourth straight season. He still hasn’t busted through the glass ceiling and taken NC State to an ACC Championship, but the Wolfpack have legitimate conference title hopes in 2024 with the offseason work Doeren has done via the portal (quarterback Grayson McCall, tailbacks Jordan Waters and Hollywood Smothers and receivers Noah Rogers and Wesley Grimes). 

In 11 seasons in Raleigh, Doeren’s program has been steadily consistent and has become a model for development (17 NFL Draft picks since 2018) and strength and conditioning. (ON3)

ACC Coaches in the Top-25

6. Dabo Swinney (Clemson)

7. Mike Norvell (FSU)

20. Jeff Brohm (Louisville)

23. Dave Doeren (NC State)

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NC State Football

NC State has Produced 19 1st Round NFL Draft Picks

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12 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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The 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft will begin this evening at 8pm on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. NC State has had 19 players drafted in the 1st round.

NC State ranks 8th in ACC history in 1st Round Picks.

Three of the Wolfpack’s 1st Round Picks have come under Dave Doeren’s watch, which ranks 2nd all-time in school history. Chuck Amato had 5 players drafted in the 1st round, which is the most ever under a coach at NC State.

Chuck Amato – 5
Dave Doeren – 3
Mike O’Cain – 2
Dick Sheridan – 2
Bo Rein – 2
Earle Edwards – 2

While most projections don’t have Wolfpack Linebacker Payton Wilson going in the 1st round tonight, a few do. Wilson was invited to attend the NFL Draft, but he will be tuning in from his home in Hillsborough. We’ll have to tune in tonight to see if Wilson hears his name called on the 1st night of the 2024 NFL Draft.

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NC State Football

WATCH QB Grayson McCall’s Tape from the 2024 NC State Spring Game

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1 day ago

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April 24, 2024

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NC State will have a new Quarterback in 2024 in Coastal Carolina Transfer Grayson McCall. A few weeks back, McCall looked sharp in the 2024 Spring Game, completing 16 of his 20 pass attempts for 205 yards and a touchdown. McCall was accuracy and composure were evident in his first time playing in Carter-Finley Stadium.

Check out McCall’s tape from the Spring Game.

 

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NC State Legend QB Roman Gabriel Passes Away at the Age of 83

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5 days ago

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April 20, 2024

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NC State legend Quarterback Roman Gabriel has passed away at the age of 83.

Gabriel’s Accolades

  • 2 time ACC Player of the Year (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-American (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-ACC (1960 & 1961)
  • 1st ACC QB to throw for 1,000 yards in a season
  • Left NC State with 22 school records and 9 ACC records
  • #1 pick in the AFL and #2 pick in the NFL
  • 16-year NFL career with the Rams & Eagles
  • 4 time Pro Bowler
  • NFL MVP in 1969
  • Led the NFL in Passing Yards in 1973
  • Led the NFL in Touchdown Passes in 1969 & 1973
  • Inaugural member of the NC State Hall of Fame
  • Ranks 1st all-time in Rams history in Touchdown Passes & 3rd in Passing Yards
  • First player to have their jersey number retired at NC State, on January 20, 1962.

Praying for the Gabriel family!

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