NC State Hasn’t Contained Mobile QB’s, but that has to Change Today with Garrett Shrader

NC State ranks 27th in the nation in Rush Defense, and 4th in the ACC, giving up an average of 113 rushing yards per game. Now, those rankings aren’t bad, but there is one singular fact that has led to them being as high as they are: the inability to stop the opposing Quarterback from using their legs.

NC State has allowed 743 rushing yards (not counting sacks) this season.

QBs have accounted for 358 — 48% — of them.

Jordan Travis (118), DJU (73) and Holton Ahlers (57) are responsible for 3 of the 4 best rushing performances NC State has allowed this year.

— 💫🅰️♈️🆔 (@ADavidHaleJoint) October 13, 2022

You read that stat right. If you take out yards lost from sacks, Quarterbacks have accounted for 48% of the rushing yards accumulated against the Wolfpack defense through 6 games this season.

Two thoughts on this bizarre stat from ESPN’s David Hale.

First, if you take away the rushing yards of opposing quarterbacks, it is obvious that opposing running backs haven’t been able to muster up many yards.

Secondly, the Wolfpack defense is elite, ranking 16th nationally in Total Defense. With that being said, they have had a glaring weakness stopping mobile quarterbacks.

Hopefully Tony Gibson and the crew have found the remedy, because Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader knows how to hurt opposing defenses with his legs.

In 2021, Shrader rushed for 781 yards and 14 touchdowns. Against the Wolfpack, he rushed for 70 yards and a touchdown.

Through 5 games in 2022, Shrader has rushed for 219 yards and 5 touchdowns.

If NC State can keep shutting down opposing running backs, and learn to contain mobile quarterbacks in the second half of the season, they will have one of the most elite rush defenses in the nation.