We waited nearly 650 days for a loud (final attendance 52,633) Carter-Finley watching NC State football…and boy did they not disappoint. At no point, during any stretch whatsoever, was State not in complete control, finishing with a 45-0 win over USF.

Here’s our 6-Pack of takeaways.

1) Shoutout to Doeren and Staff

We get it, we get it. USF by no means is a good team, and they’re going to struggle mightily all season…but that doesn’t takeaway from the fact, State came ready to play. In an ever evolving debate of Doeren’s future, he and his full staff got each and every player ready for Thursday night.

State easily could have come out flat and out of sorts with it being the first game. They could have sunk down to USF level of play. Furthermore, going from no fans to 53k, could have created the old “brought too much energy and overthought everything” sort of play. None were the case.

You couldn’t have asked for a better start to a season. All starters and second stringers got playing time. Balanced attack offensively, while the defense was relentless all night. 1 and 0 and off we go.

2) State Officially has a Two-Headed Monster in the Backfield

We really liked Bam Knight this season. We also thought Ricky Person was a nice complimentary back. By no means, did we think they’d both look this good. They’ll most definitely be tested far more next week than on Thursday night, but there was plenty of good shown.

The o-line, especially in that first half, wasn’t getting second level at all. Both Knight and Person found themselves repeatedly scrambling backwards and to the outside, before punching it up field for a three yard gain.

Then it all clicked. Person literally took advantage of EVERY opportunity he had. His final line was 107 rushing yards, 43 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns. He looked calm, strong and confident. Knight started slow, but then exploded going for 164 yards rushing and a touchdown. His 46 yard gallop showed just how fast he can turn it up field.

Doeren has a very good problem, as with some other positions, that he has depth and talent that he can trust.

3) Drake Thomas was Next-Level Good

Everyone on the planet knows that State’s LB’s are great. What we were most impressed by was Drake Thomas. The man was a blur on Thursday night. By game’s end, he lead the team in tackles (8), TFL (1.5), got himself an interception and was consistently second and third man in on tackles. A true junkyard dog.

They talk about the heartbeat of this defense is the linebacker crew, couldn’t be anymore true in that statement. The emotions, energy and playmaking ability are just unreal. The fact that Thomas stood out that much is a testament to just how well he played against USF.

4) This Secondary Can Ball

We tweeted about it early in the game, the defense was buzzing to the point they were caught out of position at points. That was the case with this secondary, haha. They were hungry and ready for the Bulls’ offense. Not only staying tight with their receivers, but always crashing down on run support and short passes.

One play in particular caught our eye. A quick screen out the the left and immediately the USF receiver looks up to find one teammate trying to block three Pack defenders.

Cyrus Fagan had an interception and was second in tackles (what a transfer pickup by Doeren). Derrek Pitts Jr showed flashes of awesomeness (oh hey, another transfer). This group has the tools to be great, just need to continue reading plays and schemes to adjust.

5) Devin Leary Showed He’s Back in a Big Way

Just the site of him warming up last night was great. Never want to see a kid get knocked around by COVID, then bad *literal* break when things were looking good. Devin Leary preformed better than expected last night.

That opening quarter saw the perfect touch pass to Person streaking along the sidelines. He looked comfortable with just a small bit of rust.

Let’s focus on two series. The first was his interception. When he missed, Leary tended to be throwing long, with timing not 100% back. One of the few times he went short, just so happened to be the moment that Thomas was seven yards BEHIND his defender. Probably one of the more wild open receivers all game and he just plain missed him.

Now, the biggest factor is, what does he come back and do next? (Technically a series later because they went run heavy but…) With a minute left from their own 23, Leary hits Carter PERFECTLY for a 51 yard gain. And frankly, comes right back to him with an outside shoulder throw, that Carter couldn’t bring in. That’s what you want out of your QB. Made a bad mistake, take a series to readjust, then start slinging dimes again.

6) This Team Will Be Ready for Starkville

State now heads to Starkville to face Mississippi State. Of interesting note, Miss State opens up Saturday against LA Tech, another future Wolfpack opponent. Assuming that Miss State wins, would bet that the line is going to be awfully close.

NC State has a chance to make some early season hay and a win against a SEC school would only bolster confidence and resume. Doeren and company got to see nearly everything they wanted out of this team Thursday night.

The Bulldogs may not be the best SEC school, but they sure as hell are going to be a better test than what we saw out of USF.

Regardless, we’re 1-0 and have football back in our lives. #GoPack