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Wolf-6-Pack of Takeaways from NC State’s Crushing Loss to Miami

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Usually we bullet point out everything, but it might be easier for this game to just take it one group at a time. Can’t help but feel as though State was the better team for both Miss State and this Miami game, but miscues, game planning and injuries just sneak up and bite us again. That said, felt like Miss State was definitely “one of those nights” after the first quarter. For Miami? Always felt like we were going to find a way to win.

So let’s talk about this Wolfpack game.

Offense

Devin Leary has now accounted for 17 touchdowns (add on another 2 rushing) to 2 interceptions. It seems like each week, his vision improves and he removes another bad decision throw old Leary would have made.

And yet, we play it safe 90% of play calls.

Fully understand that you work quick screens and out routes to open up the field vertically. But if you never actually go vertical, what’s the point? Whether to Emezie for 46, Smith for 44 or a few slight overthrows, the deep ball was available. Furthermore, against THE WORST TACKLING TEAM IN THE NATION, maybe you start pushing the middle of the field instead of allowing DBs the help of a sideline two feet away. Open field tackling versus making a play on a sideline screen is a world of difference.

It has become so routine what the offense is going to do, that on multiple occasions I turned to a buddy and guessed the play like I was damn Tony Romo. Problem is? The buddy guessed a handful right too. The only thing that wasn’t right, was State’s running game (left, left, left, facepalm). In the end, State only ran the ball 17 times, compared to 46 drop backs. Person was feeling it and needed the rock more.

Carter had one of those games that he just wasn’t there. Rock hands was something that showed up to start the season, but looked to have been fixed. ***As a side note, if you blame this game solely on his two drops, you’re crazy. Don’t celebrate the big plays against Clemson and BC, then come back at him for drops with so many bigger problems.**

Lastly, unless there was some injury issues, the fact there were plays in the redzone where Thomas, Emezie and Carter were all out, seems insane. While I like the potential of a Rooks or Lesane…need the big dawgs in there.

In conclusion:

  • Let Leary make throws
  • Get out of this generic funk and mix up calls
  • On “must convert” drives…going short of the sticks on 3rd and 4th down isn’t good
  • Great game by Thomas, tough day for Carter, needed more Emezie

 

Defense

This was painful to watch, for more than one reason. State only loses when a top LB goes down. So if Drake Thomas can stay healthy (knocks on wood desk so hard it breaks), State will go undefeated the rest of the season.

Going to make this real easy for the breakdown.

-Secondary struggled mightily. Rambo is a beast, no doubt, but every once in a while, turn your head. I fully understand it’s one of the hardest things to do; flying 100 mph down the sideline and looking back…but boy was it rough to watch. The fourth down touchdown to Knighton was the backbreaker though. Perfect play call by Miami going with a wheel route, but every single player was staring down Van Dyke. Sometimes with those wheel routes you have WRs crossing, “hiding” the running back to some extent. This was just flat out missed and ended up going for 53 yard touchdown.

-Need more out of that d-line and more creative blitzing schemes. You cannot like Van Dyke talk sh*t all week and then produce 5 hurries. Four sacks and three were LBs. Durden, Joseph and Vann had moments of pressure and moments of nonexistence. Just would have liked to seen corner blitzes, stunts or other means of attacking the Miami backfield.

-The loss of Moore was soul crushing. This LB unit is so damn fun to watch, and for the time being, we’re down to 1 of 3 highlighted studs that started the season. Drake Thomas was trying to do 45 things at once. His energy and 125% straightforward, rocket launching is all heart and soul.

In conclusion:

  • Humbling experience for a DB crew that still has some BIG time offensive opponents coming up
  • Who will step up from d-line and LB crew these next few weeks?
  • Get well Moore

Reffing

Not blaming them for everything…but this year has been so atrocious. Miami got four points from a penalty on Durden that involved the center literally moving the ball backwards. The illegal player downfield on McMahon (20 yards from play, maybe, MAYBE two yards over line of scrimmage) was the softest, ticky tack call ever.

It’s just every single week bad, bad calls that are impacting scores. Again, this loss isn’t on the refs…but I hate them all.

 

Sorry

Here is where I say sorry to Van Dyke. You showed up and played awesome. Would still make that Waterboy video 100 out of a 100 times though.

 

State comes back home this week to face Louisville. Time to get back on track. #GoPack

Passionate State fan that just wants to win...something...like anything...

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NC State Football

Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston Signs with Marshall

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Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston has officially transferred to Marshall for his final year of eligibility. NC State played Marshall this past season, but Houston didn’t play against the Thundering Herd, because he had already opted to redshirt the remainder of the season.

After playing in three games this past season, Houston opted to redshirt the remainder of the season (despite the fact that he was the starter at the time), giving him the ability to transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Houston played in 51 games for NC State over 5 years on the field, rushing for 1,392 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 398 yards and 1 touchdown.

Houston was a 3-Star prospect in NC State’s 2019 recruiting class out of Flint High School in Oakton, Virginia.

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NC State Football

Philip Rivers will Finally be Enshrined in the NC State Hall of Fame in April

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Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers will finally be inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame on April 20th!

Rivers was elected into the Hall of Fame back in 2013 (2nd year of the NC State Hall of Fame), but he has deferred his enshrinement over the years due to time constraints.

 

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Rivers pretty much owns every NC State record for Quarterbacks, and still has the most Career Passing Yards and Passes Completed in ACC history, and he ranks 3rd in Touchdown Passes. Rivers was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000, and the ACC Player of the Year in 2003.

You can buy your tickets here.

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NC State Football

DJ Burns Had a Word for Wolfpack Fans After Winning the ACC Championship

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When NC State’s DJ Burns was giving his acceptance speech after receiving the 2024 ACC Tournament MVP Award, Burns had the following quote to say when asked what he wanted to say to the fans.

“I’m going to keep it real simple. Thank you to the ones who’ve been consistent throughout the ride, and welcome back everybody else.”

Burns’ words struck a chord.

Throughout much of this season, it was embarrassing to see all the empty seats in PNC Arena.

As the Wolfpack lost 7 of their final 9 regular season games, it was clear that this team wasn’t just losing games, but they were also losing much of the fanbase.

It’s clear from Burns’ words that the empty seats were noticed, and so were the words of fans online.

NC State finished the regular season 10th, and much of the fanbase was frustrated, and rightfully so.

But, frustrated doesn’t have to mean giving up.

‘Never giving up’ is kind of supposed to be NC State’s thing.

The words of Jimmy V reverberate throughout the history of NC State basketball.

This team didn’t always put W’s in the Win column this season, and it wasn’t always an easy watch, but never for a moment were these players not playing as hard as they could for their school, one another, and their coach.

They never gave up.

Fans have a right to be frustrated, but you can still show up for a team, even when they struggle, because that’s what loyal fans do. When players wear a jersey with NC State across the chest, and they don’t give up, their fans shouldn’t either.

NC State fans aren’t known to be fair weather fans. Let’s not get in the business of leading our players to think we are.

But, like Burns said, whether you’ve been along for the ride all season or not, it’s time to hop on.

 

 

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NC State Football

WATCH: PackInsider’s 2023 Sean Brown Highlight Reel

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This past season was a breakout season for Junior Safety, now turned Linebacker, Sean Brown.

This past season, Brown started in 11 of the 13 games that he played in, and ranked 3rd on the team in tackles (66) and pass breakups (5). He also had 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Brown’s PFF Grade of 63.7 ranked 13th on the team. His Tackling Grade of 86.6 ranked 2nd on the team behind Payton Wilson.

As you will notice in our Highlight Reel ABOVE, Brown lived in the box, and is a very ferocious tackler. He will fit right in at Linebacker next year for the Wolfpack.

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