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

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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.

  • 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.

Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

So, another season will pass extending our record of futility at winning the ACC. However, this can still be a special season. At State, 8 wins and beating UNC has always equated to a satisfactory season. No coach has ever been dismissed for a season like that. Definitely well within reach. 9 wins also seems within reach, that would be Doeren’s 4th 9-win season. No other NC State coach has had more than two. 10 wins is there to be had as well, which would tie the best season in the 130 year history of Pack football. A very big… Read more »

bryanking99
bryanking99
1 year ago

Great article. Thought I was the only one that saw the will Shipley fumble🥴. Offense has got to find some mojo

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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