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NC State is playing their first game on the road tomorrow against Old Dominion.  Here is a preview of the Monarchs.

Dave Doeren’s Comments on Old Dominion at the Weekly Press Conference

“Old Dominion is 2-0.  Last year they came here, so we are familiar with what they do.  They are different offensively.  Their tailback, Ray Lawry, is leading the nation in rushing.  Last year they really featured their quarterback, who was a great player.  I believe he made the Vikings roster.  Their defense is active up front.  Their Defensive Line has gotten better.  They’re playing active and using their hands well.  They’ve tackled well defensively in the first two games.  They have 4 takeaways and 4 sacks.” (PI)

Strengths

Sophomore Ray Lawry leads the FBS in rushing though two weeks, rushing for 438 yards and 6 touchdowns.  He’s averaging a ridiculous 7.4 yards per carry.  You might be tempted to say that Lawry has produced at this level because of the level of his competition in the first two weeks, Eastern Michigan and Norfolk State, but he averaged 7.1 yards per carry last season on 134 carries.

As a team, Old Dominion is averaging 5.7 yards per carry, and averaging 283.5 rushing yards per game.

Unknown

The Old Dominion offense is producing 436.5 yards per game, but they are producing it in a much different way than they did last year.  In 2014, the Monarch’s passing attack (3,510) had almost double the yards of the ground game (1,793).  Taylor Heinicke was the signal caller last season, passing for 3,476 yards and throwing for 30 touchdowns.  Heinicke is now a member of the Minnesota Vikings.

Redshirt Freshman Shuler Bentley is the Monarch’s signal caller now, and through two games he hasn’t blown the paint off of the wall.  He has completed 30 of 54 (55.6%) for 306 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception.   That all adds up to a passing efficiency rating of 105.6.   With that being said, don’t write Bentley off.  He was a 3-star prospect, once rated as a 4-star prospect by 247, and was an honorable mention for the USAToday Parade All-American Team.  He only has two starts under his belt, and has a dangerous target to throw to if they can get in sync.

Junior Wide Receiver Zach Pascal was named to the preseason 1st Team All-Conference USA team.  Last season Heinicke and Pascal were a dangerous tandem.  He had 59 receptions for 743 yards and 7 touchdowns.  If they can get in sync, the Monarch’s offense wouldn’t be so one dimensional.

Weaknesses

The Old Dominion defense has given up  an average of 355 yards of total offense in their first two games, and their two opponents, Eastern Michigan and Norfolk State, you could argue are worse than Troy and Eastern Kentucky.  The Wolfpack’s average of 417 yards of total offense don’t look very encouraging for the Old Dominion defense.

 

 

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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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17 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.

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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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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

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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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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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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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