NC State’s Run Game Took a Step Forward in 2024, and the Future is Bright

NC State averaged more rushing yards per game last season, but that doesn’t mean that the Wolfpack’s rushing attack regressed this year. In fact, I’d argue the opposite.

In 2023, the Wolfpack averaged 5 more carries per contest. A lot of that was due to the fact that the Wolfpack offense revolved around Quarterback Brennan Armstrong running the ball. Armstrong was NC State’s leading rusher last season, rushing the ball 143 times for 665 yards and 7 touchdowns. For context, Redshirt Senior Running Back Jordan Waters’ 91 carries leads the team this year. Another note on the Wolfpack’s rushing attack in 2023, is that Wide Receiver Kevin Concepcion was their 2nd leading rusher, with 41 carries for 320 yards.

Last year, when you throw in MJ Morris’ carries, 45.8% of NC State’s rushing attempts were by 2 Quarterbacks and a Wide Receiver.

This year, low and behold, NC State’s three leading rushers are actual Running Backs, with Waters, Smothers and Raphael all three rushing for 400+ yards.

Even though the Wolfpack rushed for more yards in 2023, they are averaging more yards per carry this season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry. Last year, NC State averaged 4.3 yards per carry. To highlight how well the Wolfpack is rushing the ball in 2024, the last time they averaged 4.5+ yards per carry in a season was back in 2017, when they averaged 4.8 yards per carry.

I know there is still 1 game left this season, but NC State has only averaged 4.5+ yards per carry 3 times since 2013 when Dave Doeren took the helm, and the Wolfpack has the opportunity to make it 4 times if they run well in the looming Bowl Game.

2024 – Currently 4.5
2017 – 4.8
2015 – 5.0
2014 – 5.4

The future at the Running Back position at NC State is bright. Even though Redshirt Senior Jordan Waters has the most rushing yards (445), Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers and Sophomore Kendrick Raphael are averaging more yards per carry. Smothers is averaging 5.84 yards per carry, and Raphael is averaging 5.66. Waters is averaging 4.89 yards per carry.

I’m not sure NC State fans understand just how well Smothers and Raphael are running the ball this season. Only 10 players in school history have averaged 5.7+ yards per carry in a single season.

1. Dick Christy (1955) 85 -7.08
2. Willie Burden (1973) 150 – 6.76
3. Jaylen Samuels (2015) 56 – 6.61
4. Matthew Dayes (2015) 134 – 6.45
5. Ted Brown (1975) 142 – 6.43
6. Tremayne Stephens (1994) 125 – 6.33
7. Anthony Barbour (1991) 124 – 6.20
8. Anthony Barbour (1992) 199 – 6.05
9. Hollywood Smothers (2024) 74 – 5.84
10. Ted Brown 1(977) 218 – 5.74
11. Kendrick Raphael (2024) – 74 – 5.66

In 2023, the Wolfpack rushed for 19 touchdowns, and this year they have rushed for 21.