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Initial Thoughts and Reactions to NC State’s Loss at Duke

Published

7 months ago

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Alright, this is always risky. Publishing words after going through the emotional turmoil of watching a dismal NC State performance is always risky.

NC State lost to #17 Duke 24-3 on the road tonight. The Wolfpack were 4-point underdogs, despite the fact that Blue Devils’ starting Quarterback Riley Leonard was out. Coming into the game, the feeling was NC State had a shot in this one. 4 of the 5 fellas at College Gameday picked the Wolfpack over the Blue Devils.

After NC State picked off Henry Belin IV on the opening drive of the game, and Brayden Narveson set a new NC State record, with a 57-yard field goal, things were looking up.

That’s the last time anything positive happened in the game.

Here’s a look at NC State’s drives after the field goal.

The score easily should have been 31-3. Duke returned a punt for a touchdown, that was called back because of a hold that was nowhere near the action.

Duke’s QB completed 4 passes and the Blue Devils produced 24 points.

NC State had 11 penalties for a total of 87 yards. The Wolfpack receivers dropped pass after pass. Seemingly every time NC State was about to get a first down, a yellow flag was on the field, or the ball went through the hands of a receiver.

The offensive line was dismal. Why the coaching staff didn’t load up on O-Lineman in the Portal this offseason is beyond me.

This defense continues to give up explosive plays. One touchdown was a 69 yard pass, where Rente Hinton was toasted on a double move. Another touchdown was an 83-yard touchdown run by Jordan Waters, where he ran up the middle of the field like the Red Sea had been split wide open.

NC State won the time of possession battle, controlling the ball for almost 14 more minutes than Duke. They had 6 more first downs. But nothing was able to be done with any of it.

The Offense was bad. The Defense was bad.

Sincerely one of the worst NC State performances I can remember, and I did watch the Louisville game a few weeks back.

I always think it’s fascinating to look at the 247Sports Talent Composite Rankings. It ranks how talented a teams roster is based off of recruiting rankings. NC State’s team is the 7th most talented in the ACC according to rankings, and Duke ranks 12th.

Mike Elko is only in his 2nd season at Duke. Before he arrived, the Blue Devils were 3-9 in 2021. They went 9-4 in his first season, and are 5-1 in 2023, and are ranked 17th in the nation.

He’s doing an incredible job, making the most of what he has. NC State’s coaches aren’t.

 

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Football

Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. will Take an Official Visit at NC State Next Week

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16 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. (6’1″/195) confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to NC State next week beginning on May 7th.

After receiving an offer from NC State yesterday, it didn’t take him long to set up the visit.

Martin Jr. is familiar with NC State, because he was recruited by Wolfpack Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson before he left West Virginia to come to Raleigh. Even though he never coached him, a relationship was established.

Martin Jr.’s connections to NC State are deeper than that. Former NC State Cornerback Derrek Pitts, who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is his cousin.

This past year, Martin Jr. recorded 45 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups for Akron, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. His PFF Grade was 68.9.

In 2022, he had 53 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. Martin Jr.’s PFF Grade was 60.9.

In 2019, as a Freshman for West Virginia, Martin Jr. earned PFF Freshman All-American honors, recording a grade of 70.6, with 50 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

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NC State Football

NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll

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1 day ago

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May 1, 2024

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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

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NC State Football

NC State Ranks 8th in Players Selected in the NFL Draft in the ACC in the Last 10 Years

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4 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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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

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

Published

5 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

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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