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Previewing NC State’s Opponent in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl: Maryland

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1 year ago

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Maryland is led by Junior Quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa, who earned 2nd Team All-Big Ten honors this season. Tagovailoa completed 68.6% of his passes for 2,787 yards and 17 touchdowns (6 interceptions) with a passing efficiency rating of 147.2 in 11 games.

One of Tagovailoa’s challenges in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl will be the fact that 4 of his receiving targets have opted out of the bowl game: Wide Receivers Rakim Jarrett, Dontay Demus Jr., Jacob Copeland, and Tight End CJ Dippre. Jarrett tied for the team lead with 40 receptions for 471 yards and 3 touchdowns. Demus and Copeland combined for 48 catches and 599 yards and 3 touchdowns. Dippre had 30 catches for 314 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Tagovailoa will have to lean heavily on Senior Jeshuan Jones, like he has all year long. Jones led the team in receptions (40), yards (478) and touchdowns (4). Tight CJ Dippre might have transferred to Alabama, but Maryland still has Sophomore Tight End Corey Dyches, who outperformed Dippre statistically, with 35 receptions for 449 yards and 3 touchdowns.

Considering the fact that Maryland ranked 3rd in the Big Ten in Passing Yards per game (259.3), the loss of these receivers is less than optimal for the Terrapins.

Inevitably, new receiving targets will have to step up for the Terrapins, but it is safe to assume that they will lean heavily on their running attack that is led by 2 Freshmen. Roman Hemby rushed for 924 yards and 10 touchdowns, averaging 5.6 yards per carry. Hemby also ranks 4th on the team with 31 receptions for 276 yards and a touchdown. Antwain Littleton averaged 5.1 yards per carry, and rushed for 6 touchdowns.

Maryland ranked 7th in the Big Ten in Rushing Yards per Game (146.8)

On Defense, the Terrapins are led by two Seniors: Defensive Back Jakorian Bennett and Defensive Lineman Ami Finau, who both received All-Big Ten Honorable Mention. Bennett led Maryland with 10 pass breakups and Finau had 5 tackles for loss. While Finau and Bennett were the two recognized in the All-Big Ten voting, it was Freshman Linebacker Jaishawn Barham (78.7) and Junior Safety Beau Brade (74.8) with the two highest grades on the Terrapin defense according to ProFootballFocus. Barham led Maryland in tackles for loss (6.5) and sacks (4). Brade led Maryland in tackles (78), forced fumbles (2), and interceptions (2), and also had 4 tackles for loss and 5 pass breakups.

The Terrapin defense ranked 8th in the Big Ten in Scoring Defense (24.1), 10th in Total Defense (362.2), 9th in Rush Defense (142.7) and 11th in Pass Defense (219.5).

Maryland has had 14 players enter the transfer portal, and 4 opt out for the NFL Draft, and will not play in the Mayo Bowl.

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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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NC State Football

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

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1 day ago

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April 18, 2024

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Elinus Noel III

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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After Elinus Noel III (6’2″/230) entered the Transfer Portal yesterday, it didn’t take long for NC State to extend an offer.

He also has picked up offers from Baylor and Temple.

Noel III played last year at Texas Southern, which is in the FCS. As a Junior, he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

Prior to Texas Southern, Noel III spent his first two seasons at Nicholls State, where he recorded a total of 53 tackles.

247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of New Orleans (LA).

Noel III has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

With Nick Campbell entering the Transfer Portal, NC State is in the hunt for some depth at Nose Tackle. Even if the staff were to feel confident with what they have in JR Brandon Cleveland and RS-SODJ Jackson, the Wolfpack is in need of depth at the position.

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NC State Football

WATCH: In NC State’s Spring Game, Tight End Justin Joly Showed He is Going to Be Trouble for Opposing Defenses in ’24

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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It was evident NC State Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/235) is going to be a problem for opposing defenses after his performance in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. He is an extremely athletic Tight End, but he’s also bigger and more physical than I expected.

According to my calculations, Joly had 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He started things off with a 3-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a 16 yard catch across the middle through contact. Finally, Joly was the recipient of a double-reverse flea flicker, from RB Demarcus Jones II to WR Kevin Concepcion to QB Grayson McCall to him, for a 37-yard gain.

Joly transferred to NC State this offseason from UCONN, and he was the #2 Tight End in the Transfer Portal according to ON3. He had an incredible Sophomore campaign this past year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joly had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

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