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NC State Football

NC State chokes Against Wake Forest, Falling 23-27

Published

5 years ago

on

Unacceptable.

I can’t think of a more fitting word.

Maybe I can.

Embarrassing.

I was just struck with another one.

Revealing.

Unacceptable because NC State’s offense was the 6th most efficient offense in the nation going against the 122nd best defense. Wake Forest was giving up 496 yards per game, and the Wolfpack undershot it to the tune of 421 yards.

Unacceptable because the Wolfpack rushed for a whopping 47 yards against a defense that was giving up 221 yards on the ground per game.

Unacceptable because NC State settled for 3 field goals within the red zone. Look, I love that Chris Dunn can kick field goals, but going 3 of 3 on field goal attempts in the red zone means your offense FAILED. Blame it on dropped passes. Blame it on being tackled in the back field. Blame it on play calling. Blame it on bad throws. I don’t care. It’s unacceptable.

Embarrassing.

Embarrassing because NC State was a 19-point favorite. NC State had won 26 of the last 32 games when they were the favorite. That’s 81.3%. The Wolfpack has only lost 1 time since 2014 when they were the favorite to win by 10+ points. In 2016, NC State lost to Boston College 14-21 when they were 16-point favorites. Tonight marks the second. In fact, it marks the worst loss of the Dave Doeren era. Embarrassing.

Embarrassing because NC State lost to a Wake Forest team that was without their starting quarterback, and who lost their starting running back during the course of the game. Hats off to Jamie Newman, but the Wolfpack defense allowed a backup quarterback who had completed 7 of 15 passes this season pass for 297 yards, complete 66.7% of his passes, throw 3 touchdowns (0 interceptions) and lay down a passing efficiency rating of 172.3. Embarrassing.

Revealing.

Here’s the facts. NC State wasn’t the 14th best team in the nation, but the cards had fallen their way. Six of the teams in front of them had lost the previous week. A golden path was rolled out before them. They were going to be the favorite by a large margin in their final 4 regular season games. Tonight revealed this team wasn’t ready for the prize at the end of the carpet rolled out before them.

Tonight revealed a lack of preparation, and that’s on the coaches. Tonight revealed a lack of effort, and that’s on the players.

Tonight revealed a lack of fight.

Tonight revealed a lack of composure.

This team had a chance to go to a major bowl (with some help). They didn’t need to upset anyone. They needed to beat 4 teams they would be double-digit favorites against.

Doeren and his staff need to do some serious soul searching. If you couldn’t get your team up for this game…

I’m tired. I’m tired of this feeling of deja vu.

NC State shouldn’t have lost this game, but they sure as heck didn’t deserve to win it.

Unacceptable. Embarrassing. Revealing.

 

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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

Published

23 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

Published

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

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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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