This is not the way NC State wanted to head into conference play.

Did they want to head in with a win? Of course. Winning like this? Not at all.

People can say that “a win is a win”, but last nights win won’t equal wins in the ACC, no matter how bad the league currently looks.

NC State squeaked out a 34-23 victory over Ball State under the lights in Carter-Finley Stadium. If it wasn’t for a Wolfpack dominant 2nd quarter (14-0), NC State would have been in big trouble. Ball State won the battle of the other three quarters 23-20.

Also, don’t let the Wolfpack’s 34 points deceive you. One of those touchdowns was a 76-yard punt return for a touchdown by Thayer Thomas. Another one came off of a blocked punt by Malik Dunlap, giving the Wolfpack the ball at Ball State’s 7-yard line, resulting in a rushing touchdown by Matt McKay.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m all for Special Teams making plays…alongside a productive offense.

Ball State’s offense outperformed NC State’s offense, with the Cardinals’ producing 417 yards of total offense, with the Wolfpack putting up 389. With that being said, the Wolfpack secondary didn’t allow Drew Plitt to throw a touchdown (came into the game with 11) and didn’t give up the big plays the Cardinal’s have been making.

Sophomore Free Safety Tanner Ingle, Junior Cornerback Chris Ingram and Redshirt Senior Larrell Murchison all deserve a shout out. Ingle had 11 tackles (0.5 for loss). Ingram saved the game from being scary close, intercepting a pass in the end zone with 3:43 left in the game. He also had 9 tackles and 2 pass breakups. Murchison had 2 tackles for loss.

While the defense was far from perfect, they aren’t what gives me the biggest pause heading into next week.

We can act like the Wolfpack’s offense is the area of concern, but that’s not really the truth. Putting it on the whole unit covers up the truth. The consistent concern through 4 games is Redshirt Sophomore Quarterback Matt McKay’s play.

Doeren planned all week to have Redshirt Sophomore Bailey Hockman to come in for a drive early, and he stuck to the plan. McKay was average in the 1st Quarter (6-9 for 47 yards), but after Hockman came in for a drive (ended in an interception), McKay played really well to close out the first half. After Hockman’s series, McKay was 10-13 for 127 yards in the 2nd quarter, leading to 2 Wolfpack touchdowns, with a rushing one of his own. The 2nd half was another story altogether, playing some of the worst football he has played all year.

McKay was 1 of 8 for 1 yard and an interception in the 2nd half. Yes, you read that stat line correctly.

Yes, the Wolfpack receivers have dropped some passes each game, but McKay’s inability to throw the deep ball, being ahead or behind his receivers, or throwing too high or too low has not improved over four performances. While I’m sure the Offensive Line hasn’t been perfect, you’d have a hard time convincing me they are the problem. McKay wasn’t sacked a single time last night.

The Wolfpack’s rushing attack was impressive once again, rushing for 204 yards on the night. Freshman Zonovan Knight rushed 8 times for 36 yards before leaving the game with a hamstring injury. Sophomore Ricky Person led the Pack with 71 yards rushing and a touchdown, but looked to favor his back throughout the night. Freshman Jordan Houston has done nothing but prove he deserves the ball in his hands a ton more, rushing for 55 yards on 6 carries last night.

As good as the NC State backfield has been, if ACC opponents don’t fear the Wolfpack passing game at all, they will stack the box and completely focus on the running game.

The Quarterback position and health are two looming concerns heading into next weeks game in Tallahassee.

McKay hasn’t shown that he deserves to keep the job through 4 games, with two other 4-star quarterbacks behind him. I’m sure McKay is much better in practice, but if it doesn’t translate to Saturday’s, something has to change. McKay might have it in him, but it’s the coaches job to help get it out of him, and it’s not happened up till now. Also, some players simply don’t have it.

Answers need to be found. Whether that’s finding new ways to use McKay, utilizing his legs more, changing the play calling, throwing to the boundaries more, or simply finding a new quarterback.

Also, the Wolfpack squad is heading into ACC play pretty banged up. Graduate Redshirt Senior Defensive End James Smith-Williams has missed the past two games. Senior Cornerback Nick McCloud hasn’t played since the season opener. Redshirt Junior starting Tight End Dylan Autenrieth didn’t play last night. We don’t know the extent of Zonovan Knight’s hamstring injury. Ricky Person never seems 100%.  I digress.