A Few Thoughts from the Box Score: NC State 45 VMI 7

Below are a few thoughts from the Box Score of NC State’s 45-7 win over VMI.

• Starting Center Dylan McMahon left the game with a lower body injury, and Lyndon Cooper, who has been playing Guard for the Wolfpack moved over and handled the snapping duties.
• Cornerback Aydan White wasn’t dressed for the game. Neither was backup Strong Safety Rakeim Ashford.
  • True Freshman was listed as White’s backup, but Terrente Hinton slid over and took the start.
• The 498 yards of Total Offense are the most since the Wolfpack put 492 yards on UCONN last year on September 24th.
• NC State rushed for 234 yards today against VMI. The Wolfpack haver rushed for 200+ in 2 of their first three games to start the 2023 season. NC State only rushed for 200+ yards in 2 games last season.
  • The 234 rushing yards against VMI was the most by the Wolfpack since they rushed for 294 yards against South Florida to start the 2021 season.
• True Freshman Kendrick Raphael led the Wolfpack with 85 rushing yards, on a team high 16 snaps.
• Redshirt Junior Running Back Delbert Mimms enters the game against VMI with 2 career touchdowns. He matched that total today with 2 rushing touchdowns.
  • Mimms is now tied with Quarterback Brennan Armstrong for the most rushing touchdowns (3) for NC State in 2023 through 3 games.
• True Freshman Kevin Concepcion led NC State in receptions (7) and targets (7), and through three games he leads the Wolfpack in both categories, with 16 and 23 respectively.
• Redshirt Sophomore Wide Receiver Julian Gray had himself a day. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown (and had another one called back because of a holding call). Gray also led NC State in receiving yards with 80.
  • Through three games, Gray is averaging 33.3 yards per kickoff return (7 total).
• The return game was strong for the Wolfpack when you throw in the fact that Redshirt Sophomore Jalen Coit averaged 22.7 yards per punt return, on three returns.
• Nickel Robert Kennedy III was the name to remember from the Wolfpack defense, returning an interception for a touchdown. He also had 4 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
• For the third time this year, Payton Wilson led NC State in tackles, collecting 9 against VMI.