NC State 24 UCONN 14: Initial Thoughts and Observations

NC State started their football season 1-0 tonight, defeating UCONN 24-14. Here are some of my initial observations.

• Honestly, I expected the ball to be in the air a lot more than it was. A lot more. I thought Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae was bringing in the Air Raid. Tonight couldn’t have been more of an inverse of that. NC State ran the ball 46 times, and threw the ball 26 times.
• Brennan Armstrong led NC State in rushing attempts (19), rushing yards (96) and he picked up 2 rushing touchdowns. I’m honestly not shocked that Armstrong led the Wolfpack in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. I wouldn’t be shocked if he leads NC State in rushing touchdowns by seasons end.
• Armstrong wasn’t impressive in the passing game. His accuracy wasn’t anything to write home about. Neither was the zip on his ball. Yes, he completed 65% of his balls, but most of them were thrown underneath.
• I mean no disrespect to Jordan Houston. His numbers were adequate. Houston rushed the ball 13 times for 57 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per carry. My question is this: Why did Michael Allen not touch the ball more? Allen rushed the ball 4 times for 30 yards (7.5 yards per carry), and caught 3 passes for 27 yards. He ranked 3rd on the team in receptions and receiving yards, which tells me Anae wants to get the ball in his hands, but I want to see him used more in the rushing game. He is more electric than Houston, and you can’t rush your QB close to 20 times a game.
• I didn’t expect Delbert Mimms to get 8 carries in the season opener. Not one bit. Yes, he scored a touchdown, but he averaged 2.5 yards per carry on the night.
• True Freshman Kevin Concepcion led the Wolfpack in receptions (5), receiving yards (36) and targets (5). I wouldn’t be shocked if he led the Wolfpack in all three categories at the end of the year.
• Defensively, I’m not upset with NC State giving up 14 points or 273 total yards of offense. I’m not a fan of the Wolfpack giving up an average of 6.2 yards per carry.
• In epic fashion, Linebacker Payton Wilson sealed the deal with an interception with the game coming to a close. He finished the game with 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, 1 pass breakup, and 1 interception.
• Safety Sean Brown had 2 pass breakups, and one of those should have been an interception, ending with the turnover bone in his hand.
• The Wolfpack, who are known to blitz incessantly under Tony Gibson, seemed to settle for a three-man push.
• Julian Gray averaged 29 yards per kickoff return (3 returns).
• Punter Caden Noonkester averaged 45.3 yards per punt (3 punts).
• Starting Defensive End Savion Jackson didn’t play in the game. His absence was noticeable, with some of UCONN’s success running to the outside.