#10 NC State 20 #5 Clemson 30: Notes, Thoughts and Tidbits

A few thoughts after NC State’s loss to Clemson down in Death Valley 20-30.

• I’m proud of where NC State’s program is at. It’s no small thing, looking at the history of Wolfpack football to be ranked 10th in the nation. Walking into the 4th quarter, this was a 7-point game in Death Valley, and many things prior to that could have led to the Wolfpack leading heading into the 4th.
• When you’re playing a team that’s ranked 5th in the nation and has won 36, now 37 straight games at home, you have to make plays.
  • Two particularly stand out for me at the moment.
    • If Cornerback Aydan White intercepts that pass, he might be able to return it to the house.
    • If Tight End Chris Toudle didn’t drop the pass, Clemson doesn’t intercept, and add a field goal to the scoreboard.
• Will Shipley should have never caught that pass where he was down at the 1-yard line. Cornerback Shyheim Battle just let him run a free wheel route. Also, I still think he fumbled. If he did, 7 points wouldn’t have gone on the board for Clemson.  Either way, no way he should have even been in that position.

Did the refs just miss a fumble-touchback in #NCState at #Clemson?

Sure looks like that ball was loose 🧐 pic.twitter.com/FlIuujfJE1

— Steve Samra (@SamraSource) October 2, 2022

• Clemson’s Defensive Line is elite, and they exposed NC State’s Offensive Line. Will the Wolfpack O-Line face another D-Line like Clemson’s the rest of the way? No, but this won’t get it done.
• NC State didn’t establish anything that resembled a rushing attack, rushing for a minuscule 32 yards. Jordan Houston did average 4.6 yards per carry, but Demie Sumo only averaged 2.0 yards per carry on 5 carries.
  • In my opinion, they gave up on the run game, and should have found more ways.
• There are plenty of games left in 2022, but Thayer Thomas can’t be the Wolfpack’s only legit receiving target.
  • Bless his heart, Thomas was a warrior, grabbing 9 receptions for 84 yards. The more shocking statistic is the fact that he was targeted 16 times.
  • The next highest target total was 7 by Devin Carter.
  • It is clear that Leary only felt confident throwing Thomas’ way.
• Devin Carter dropped an easy first down.
  • I honestly can’t remember if he dropped more than that, but it felt like he did.
  • He has to prove to be a legitimate option for Leary for NC State to have success going forward.
• Other teams have watched tape. They know NC State is obsessed with throwing screen passes.
  • Adjust accordingly.
• I know the scoreboard shows that the defense gave up 30 points, but they played a heck of a game.
  • Some of those points came because the offense put them in less than ideal positions.
  • With that being said, Clemson created 2 turnovers, and NC State created none.
  • It’s going to be next to impossible to beat the Tigers in Death Valley -2 in Turnover Margin.
• Even after tonight, I think NC State has an elite defense, but Nickel Tyler Baker-Williams’ return is needed.
• The Wolfpack offense has questions that need to be answered, and players that need to return.
  • The absence of Tight End Trent Pennix has been huge.
  • Wide Receiver Anthony Smith was missed tonight, because he seems to be the Wolfpack’s lone deep threat (even though he needs to prove he can catch the ball).
  • The Wide Receiver room needs some soul searching.
• Despite my critique’s, I genuinely believe this game was a few plays away from being an outcome in the Wolfpack’s favor, despite their deficiencies.

NC State still has a good football team. Are they as good of a football team as Clemson? No. Could they have beat Clemson last night despite that? Absolutely.

I’m tired of mopey NC State fans, that fail to realize what has been built, and what still can be achieved in ’22.