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.
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.”