NC State Football
That was an Offensive Nightmare…This Offense is a Nightmare
NC State’s offensive performance against Louisville tonight was a nightmare.
The Wolfpack had 13 drives, and 6 of them were 3-and-outs. They averaged 15 yards per drive.
Brennan Armstrong completed 13 of his 25 passes for 112 yards. He had 0 touchdowns, 2 interceptions and a lost fumble. His passing efficiency rating was 73.6, which is his lowest rating in his collegiate career as a starting quarterback.
The Offensive Line was a mess. There was nowhere for running backs to run, and Armstrong was continually under fire. Wide Receivers weren’t creating enough separation. Brennan Armstrong looked like he didn’t belong on a college football field. The offensive play calling was predictable and painful to watch.
What makes tonight’s performance concerning is the fact that they weren’t facing a lockdown Louisville defense. The Cardinal’s defense is average at best. They gave up 28 points and 427 yards of offense to Boston College. They gave up 34 points and 488 yards of offense to Georgia Tech.
Let’s be honest, tonights performance simply brought to light just how bad the Wolfpack offense has been through 4 games.
Offensive Coordinator Robert Anae was supposed to be an offensive genie. As it currently stands, he’s not making any wishes come true.
Here’s the truth. This is the worst NC State’s offense has looked under Dave Doeren.
The Wolfpack is averaging 345.2 yards of total offense through 5 games. That’s the lowest mark through the first 5 games since Doeren took the job in 2013. Yes, that includes the 2013 season and the 2019 season.
Armstrong’s passing efficiency rating through 5 games is 112.54. I know it’s not fair, because there are more games to play, and he can improve that number, but here’s how bad that number is. Pete Thomas and Brandon Mitchell both posted better passing efficiency rating numbers in 2013 in Doeren’s first year when NC State went 3-9.
Unless personnel changes are made on offense, and unless Anae goes back to the drawing board, this isn’t going to be an NC State team that even makes a bowl game.
247’s Brad Crawford released his Post-Spring 2024 Preseason College Football Top-25 recently, and NC State moved up 1 spot to #20.
ACC Teams in the Top-25
11. FSU
14. Miami
16. Clemson
20. NC State
24. Virginia Tech
25. Louisville
NC State Football
NC State Ranks 8th in Players Selected in the NFL Draft in the ACC in the Last 10 Years
The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and NC State had two players drafted: Linebacker Payton Wilson in the 3rd round, and Center Dylan McMahon in the 6th round.
Over the past 10 years, NC State has produced 25 NFL Draft picks, and 3 1st round picks. The 25 Draft Picks ranks 8th in the ACC, and the 3 1st Round picks is tied for 7th.
NC State produced 18 NFL Draft Picks in the first 5 Draft’s of Dave Doeren’s tenure. Only 8 Wolfpack players have been selected in the past 5 NFL Drafts.
Players selected in the NFL Draft under Dave Doeren:
2024
Payton Wilson, LB – Pittsburgh – 3rd – 98th
Dylan McMahon, C – Philadelphia – 6th – 190th
NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.
NC State’s Shyheim Battle has been invited to rookie mini camp with the Jets with the opportunity to earn a priority free agent contract. #ncstate #NFLDraft #wpn
— Pat Welter WRAL (@PatrickWelter) April 28, 2024
Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.
He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.
In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.
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That’s a very honest/objective take. Beyond awful. And in last week’s press confrence DD had the audacity to say “you should be happy we’re 3-1”; totally dismissing these concerns. I wish I knew how many games I’ve seen the Pack start games going 3 and out due to incredibly conservative play calling. I do not know if this is a DD issue (he meddles to much in the offensive game plan) or a Tim Beck/Anae plus QB thing. Armstrong/Anae have been good elsewhere…and Leary seems to be doing well this year at UK, when he was struggling last year. Why… Read more »
MJ Morris please. Armstrong is getting worse – decision making and inaccurate throws are so painful to watch.
Brennan has made some good, on the mark throws this year but he’s also been inaccurate and missed a good number that THIS team cannot afford. Even the radio guys seemed flabbergasted after the series where he threw 2 deep balls out of bounds and not catchable. Johnny commented that “you have to give your guys a chance to make a play.”