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NC State Football

Clemson Exposes NC State Isn’t Ready for the Limelight

Published

6 years ago

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There’s still a lot of season left for NC State, but yesterday’s 41-7 loss to #3 Clemson was an embarrassment.

A loss can be swallowed. Covering the 17-point spread would have been acceptable.

After playing the Tigers close the past three years, to be throttled like that down in Death Valley is a significant step back for NC State.

Ryan Finley had one of the worst games of his career, posting a passing efficiency rating of 88.54. He couldn’t get in sync with his receivers. Finley has been able to be a little late on his throws against prior teams, and his receivers have bailed him out, but the Clemson secondary was too quick.

When Kelvin Harmon is targeted 6 times, and finishes the game with 2 receptions for 13 yards, it’s bound to be a blowout, and it was. Harmon didn’t thrive in the limelight, dropping what could have been a explosive play resulting in a touchdown, but he let it bobble off of his fingers and his face.

Honestly, the Wolfpack’s running back tandem of Reggie Gallaspy and Ricky Person was one of the only bright spots of the day. Gallaspy averaged 6.6 yards per carry, and Person averaged 4.5. On the other side of the ball, despite the fact that the Wolfpack defense gave up 41 points, they held Clemson running back Travis Etienne to 39 yards on 15 carries (2.6 yards per carry).

What looked effortless was Trevor Lawrence’s performance. He picked apart NC State’s secondary that seemed so fearful of giving up the big play, that they always had a 10-yard cushion between them and the receiver. Lawrence was 26 of 39 for 308 yards and 1 touchdown.

NC State posted a -2 turnover margin (NC State – 3/Clemson – 1), with two of those being Ryan Finley interceptions.

The Wolfpack converted only 15.4% of their third down opportunities, entering the game as the national leader in third down conversion. Clemson converted 53.3% of theirs.

Clemson had 471 yards of total offense. That’s not shocking in my opinion, or unexpected. They had 415 yards of total offense last year, and 495 in 2016. The difference was the anemic Wolfpack offense. NC State averaged 453 yards of total offense against Clemson the past two years, but settled for a measly 297 yesterday in Death Valley.

There are still 6 regular season games left, and all of them are winnable. NC State still has the chance to finish with the most regular season wins in school history. It still has the makings of a very special season, but this loss left a very sour taste in the mouths of Wolfpack fans.

NC State was unprepared to play the game on so many levels, and that is unacceptable, and Dave Doeren took the blame after the game, as well he should have.

 

 

 

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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

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

Published

3 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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NC State Baseball

NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24

Published

3 days ago

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April 20, 2024

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After NC State clinched a series victory over UNC last night in Baseball, I thought it would be a good time to relish in how the Wolfpack has dominated the Tar Heels Athletic Program as a whole in 2023-24.

The Wolfpack Baseball team has won the first two games in the series against the Tar Heels, clinching a series victory over UNC for the first time since 2021. It marks the first time NC State has won a series against the Tar Heels in Raleigh since 2016.

NC State defeated UNC in Volleyball 3-1, winning in Chapel Hill for the first time in 25 years. The Tar Heels had won the last 5 matches against the Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels 39-20 in Football in Carter-Finley Stadium. It marked the 3rd consecutive win over UNC.

NC State lost both regular season games to UNC in Men’s Basketball, but when it mattered most, the Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game 84-76, winning their first title since 1987.

The Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team lost to their rival in Chapel Hill, but defeated UNC 63-59 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 5 of the last 7 against UNC.

In Gymnastics, NC State defeated UNC 196.725-194.925 in Raleigh. This marked the 3rd straight victory for the Wolfpack over the Tar Heels.

NC State’s Men & Women’s Swimming & Diving teams both beat UNC. The Men won 258-93, and the Women won 196-157.

The Wolfpack Wrestling team defeated UNC 33-6 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 11 straight Duals against the Tar Heels.

The NC State Men’s Tennis team defeated UNC 4-0, winning against their rival in back-to-back years.

The Wolfpack Women’s Tennis team has defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 on two occasions thus far this season, and will face their rival again today.

The Cross Country teams didn’t have individual meets against UNC, but the Women obviously beat them, because they won the ACC Championship. The Men didn’t, finishing 8th in the Conference, with the Tar Heels finishing 1st.

The only other NC State athletic team that didn’t taste victory against UNC this year was the Women’s Soccer team, losing 0-4 in Raleigh.

Of course, each of these NC State athletic teams has much higher goals than just beating their rival, but there’s no denying how sweet it is to beat the Tar Heels.

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NC State Football

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

Published

5 days ago

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April 18, 2024

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

Published

6 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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