NC State is 1-0 to start the 2019 College Football season, defeating ECU 34-6 in the season opener at Carter-Finley Stadium this afternoon.
Offense
The Wolfpack Offensive was explosive, putting up 505 yards of Total Offense in a variety of ways. Ten different players recorded a reception, and seven different players rushed the ball. NC State averaged 7.2 yards per play on offense, which would have ranked 4th in 2018.
With all of the depth at Running Back, I didn’t expect for Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Matt McKay and the passing game to emphasized as much. I was wrong. McKay was 25 of 37 (67.6%) for 308 yards and a touchdown (0 interceptions), with a QB Rating of 146.4. He was a Fantasy Football revelation as well, rushing 6 times for 35 yards and 2 touchdowns. McKay was poised, and didn’t look rattled from start to finish. He needed a little more touch at times, overthrowing a few of his receivers on some longer passes, but it would be ridiculous to complain about McKay’s performance in his first start.
McKay spread the ball around generously to his receivers. In the first half, Redshirt Sophomore Thayer Thomas was McKay’s favorite, connecting on 4 receptions for 59 yards (7 targets), finishing the game with 6 receptions (9 targets) for a team high 83 yards. A dependable slot receiver is vital for a young quarterback building his confidence. In the 2nd half it was Junior Emeka Emezie. After catching only 2 passes for 16 yards in the first half, Emezie ended up finishing the game with a team high 7 receptions for 70 yards (team high 10 targets). Graduate Transfer Tabari Hines (Wake Forest/Oregon) didn’t miss a beat jumping back into ACC football, with 4 receptions for 74 yards and a touchdown (48 yards). Sophomore Running Back Ricky Person also set up one of McKay’s rushing touchdowns, with a 45-yard reception.
While Person got the start, and played the first two offensive possessions, True Freshman Zonovan Knight led the team in both carries (9) and yards (42), and picked up his first collegiate touchdown on his first career rush. True Freshman Jordan Houston displayed his explosiveness, rushing 6 times for 35 yards, and Person finished with 5 rushes for 20 yards. It truly was a running back by committee, especially when you consider the fact that Hines and True Freshman Keyon Lesane produced the longest runs of the game, with runs of 34 yards and 24 yards respectively. In total, the Wolfpack rushed for 198 yards, which they only did 3 times in 2018, and averaged 6.2 yards per carry, tying the best average in a single game from last year (East Carolina).
Defense
It took a little bit for the Wolfpack defense to settle in, giving up 75 yards on the opening drive to the Pirates, but they didn’t allow ECU to have another productive drive until the final one of the game. NC State held East Carolina to 269 yards of Offense. The Pirates averaged a pitiful 1.4 yards per carry. The Wolfpack Offense refrained from turning the ball over, and the Wolfpack defense turned the Pirates over twice. Sophomore Tanner Ingle caused a fumble on the goal line on the opening drive, in which Graduate Redshirt Senior Jarius Morehead recovered, and Junior Chris Ingram picked up his 2nd career interception.
NC State tallied 3 sacks and 8 tackles for loss, 2 forced fumbles, 6 pass breakups and 7 QB hurries.
The Wolfpack have traditionally run a 4-2-5 defensive scheme, but came out of the gate in a 3-3-5, under the influence of new Safeties/Co-Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson from West Virginia.
Three defensive backs led the Pack in tackles (Junior Cornerback Chris Ingram – 9/Sophomore Free Safety Tanner Ingle – 8/Senior Cornerback Nick McCloud – 7), which isn’t shocking, considering the Pirates passed the ball 45 times, compared to 29 rushes.
Free Safety Tanner Ingle was a revelation today. After starting the first starting 7 games at Nickel last year, he moved to Free Safety this offseason, and it was a genius move. Doeren has said that Ingle is the best contact player on the roster, and has some of the best instincts he has ever seen from a player he has coached. In his new position, he’s not glued to the line, and has freedom to roam. The move paid off today, with Ingle filling the Box Score with 8 tackles (0.5 tackles for loss), 1 forced fumble, 2 pass breakups and 1 QB Hurry.
Redshirt Freshman Payton Wilson has been patiently waiting for his time to shine, and it didn’t take long. Despite the fact that he was running with the 2nd team, he finished with 6 tackles, and a team high 2 tackles for loss.
Redshirt Senior Defensive Tackle Larrell Murchison picked up where he left off least year, and found numerous occasions to play his air guitar in celebration. He finished the game with 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and 2 QB Hurries.
Special Teams
Sophomore Place Kicker Christopher Dunn connected on both of his field goal attempts (27 & 34 yards), and has now made 17 straight field goal attempts. Let that sink in.
Injuries
Redshirt Junior starting Wide Receiver C.J. Riley hurt his knee attempting a tackle on punt coverage, and didn’t return to the game, and it didn’t look good. He was primarily replaced by Redshirt Freshman Devin Carter.
Senior Cornerback Nick McCloud hurt his leg in the 2nd half, hobbled off the field in a lot of pain, and didn’t return.
Redshirt Junior Right Tackle Justin Witt was injured, but was able to make it off of the field in his own strength, but didn’t return. After his exodus, Redshirt Senior Emanuel McGirt moved from Left Tackle to Right Tackle, and Redshirt Sophomore Bryson Speas moved in at Left Tackle.
Sophomore Nose Tackle Alim McNeil and Graduate Redshirt Senior James Smith-Williams were both dinged up in the game, but made their way back on the field.
Box Score
Highlights