NC State 41 Western Carolina: OUR TAKE

The Wolfpack improved to 2-0 today, shutting out the Catamounts 41-0 in Carter-Finley Stadium. Here’s OUR TAKE.

Offense

NC State ran the ball with a vengeance this afternoon in a 41-0 victory over Western Carolina in their second game of 2019.

The Wolfpack had more pass attempts in Week 1 against ECU, but that was far from the case today. They rushed the ball a whopping 53 times for 309 yards, compared to 33 pass attempts for 231 yards.

Today marks the first time NC State has rushed for 300+ yards November 28th, 2015.

True Freshman Zonovan Knight rushed for over 100 yards in only his second collegiate game, rushing for 119 yards (6.6 yards per carry) and 2 touchdowns. He is the quickest player to rush for 100-yards since Tremayne Stephens crossed the century mark in his first career game back in 1994.

Another True Freshman Jordan Houston showed his big-play making ability, rushing 8 times for 73 yards (9.1 yards per carry) and a touchdown.

Sophomore Ricky Person also rushed for a touchdown, making that 4 on the day by the Wolfpack running backs. He had 10 carries for 51 yards.

Redshirt Sophomore Matt McKay was efficient once again, though he continued to show a propensity to over throw his receivers. He was 18 of 28 (64.3%) for 200 yards and a touchdown (0 interceptions), with a passing efficiency rating of 136.1.

McKay did all of his damage in the first three quarters, with Redshirt Sophomore Bailey Hockman coming into spell him at the end of the 3rd quarter. Hockman was 4 of 5 for 31 yards.

For the second week in a row 10 different receivers caught a pass. The Tight Ends had something like 19 receptions last season. Today, they combined for 7 receptions. Redshirt Junior Cary Angeline led the team with 4 receptions and 47 receiving yards with a touchdown. Redshirt Junior Dylan Autenrieth also had 3 receptions for 40 yards.

Defense

On the defensive side of the ball, NC State held Western Carolina to a measly 106 yards of total offense on the day. The Catamounts rushed for an enormous 8 yards.

Sophomore Free Safety Tanner Ingle led the Pack with 5 tackles, and Sophomore Tyler Baker-Williams led the team with 2 pass breakups. The Wolfpack had 3 sacks, with Sophomore Nose Tackle Alim McNeil and Redshirt Sophomore Defensive End Xavier Lyas each grabbing one, and Redshirt Sophomore Defensive End Ibrahim Kante and Redshirt Freshman Defensive End Joseph Boletepeli sharing the other one.

Sophomore Chris Dunn has now made 19 straight field goals, knocking in both of his field goal attempts (32 & 25).

Injuries

Graduate Redshirt Senior Defensive End James Smith-Williams came out of the locker room at halftime with a boot on his foot, but the x-rays came back negative.

Also, Senior Nick McCloud was hurt last week, and didn’t play today.

Redshirt Freshman Running Back Trent Pennix left the game with what looked liked a concussion.