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NC State chokes Against Wake Forest, Falling 23-27

Published

5 years ago

on

Unacceptable.

I can’t think of a more fitting word.

Maybe I can.

Embarrassing.

I was just struck with another one.

Revealing.

Unacceptable because NC State’s offense was the 6th most efficient offense in the nation going against the 122nd best defense. Wake Forest was giving up 496 yards per game, and the Wolfpack undershot it to the tune of 421 yards.

Unacceptable because the Wolfpack rushed for a whopping 47 yards against a defense that was giving up 221 yards on the ground per game.

Unacceptable because NC State settled for 3 field goals within the red zone. Look, I love that Chris Dunn can kick field goals, but going 3 of 3 on field goal attempts in the red zone means your offense FAILED. Blame it on dropped passes. Blame it on being tackled in the back field. Blame it on play calling. Blame it on bad throws. I don’t care. It’s unacceptable.

Embarrassing.

Embarrassing because NC State was a 19-point favorite. NC State had won 26 of the last 32 games when they were the favorite. That’s 81.3%. The Wolfpack has only lost 1 time since 2014 when they were the favorite to win by 10+ points. In 2016, NC State lost to Boston College 14-21 when they were 16-point favorites. Tonight marks the second. In fact, it marks the worst loss of the Dave Doeren era. Embarrassing.

Embarrassing because NC State lost to a Wake Forest team that was without their starting quarterback, and who lost their starting running back during the course of the game. Hats off to Jamie Newman, but the Wolfpack defense allowed a backup quarterback who had completed 7 of 15 passes this season pass for 297 yards, complete 66.7% of his passes, throw 3 touchdowns (0 interceptions) and lay down a passing efficiency rating of 172.3. Embarrassing.

Revealing.

Here’s the facts. NC State wasn’t the 14th best team in the nation, but the cards had fallen their way. Six of the teams in front of them had lost the previous week. A golden path was rolled out before them. They were going to be the favorite by a large margin in their final 4 regular season games. Tonight revealed this team wasn’t ready for the prize at the end of the carpet rolled out before them.

Tonight revealed a lack of preparation, and that’s on the coaches. Tonight revealed a lack of effort, and that’s on the players.

Tonight revealed a lack of fight.

Tonight revealed a lack of composure.

This team had a chance to go to a major bowl (with some help). They didn’t need to upset anyone. They needed to beat 4 teams they would be double-digit favorites against.

Doeren and his staff need to do some serious soul searching. If you couldn’t get your team up for this game…

I’m tired. I’m tired of this feeling of deja vu.

NC State shouldn’t have lost this game, but they sure as heck didn’t deserve to win it.

Unacceptable. Embarrassing. Revealing.

 

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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

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

Published

1 day 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

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2 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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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Elinus Noel III

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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After Elinus Noel III (6’2″/230) entered the Transfer Portal yesterday, it didn’t take long for NC State to extend an offer.

He also has picked up offers from Baylor and Temple.

Noel III played last year at Texas Southern, which is in the FCS. As a Junior, he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

Prior to Texas Southern, Noel III spent his first two seasons at Nicholls State, where he recorded a total of 53 tackles.

247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of New Orleans (LA).

Noel III has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

With Nick Campbell entering the Transfer Portal, NC State is in the hunt for some depth at Nose Tackle. Even if the staff were to feel confident with what they have in JR Brandon Cleveland and RS-SODJ Jackson, the Wolfpack is in need of depth at the position.

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NC State Football

WATCH: In NC State’s Spring Game, Tight End Justin Joly Showed He is Going to Be Trouble for Opposing Defenses in ’24

Published

3 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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It was evident NC State Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/235) is going to be a problem for opposing defenses after his performance in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. He is an extremely athletic Tight End, but he’s also bigger and more physical than I expected.

According to my calculations, Joly had 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He started things off with a 3-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a 16 yard catch across the middle through contact. Finally, Joly was the recipient of a double-reverse flea flicker, from RB Demarcus Jones II to WR Kevin Concepcion to QB Grayson McCall to him, for a 37-yard gain.

Joly transferred to NC State this offseason from UCONN, and he was the #2 Tight End in the Transfer Portal according to ON3. He had an incredible Sophomore campaign this past year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joly had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

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