Graduate quarterback Ryan Finley and junior receiver Kelvin Harmon both had career games at Syracuse for NC State football Saturday. However, mostly due to a horrific performance from its secondary, the Wolfpack lost 51-41.
This game was definitely a mixed bag, with some encouraging signs and some things that need to be cleaned up. Let’s take a look at the good, the bad and the ugly from NC State’s second loss of the season.
The good: Passing offense — Following one of the worst games of his NC State career in a blowout loss to Clemson, Finley bounced back with a career game for the Pack. The sixth-year signal caller moved the ball down the field with authority, completing 26 of 44 pass attempts for a career-best 473 yards, three touchdowns and a pick.
The Syracuse defense did not have an answer for Finley’s deep ball, as he had touchdown passes for 67 and 74 yards in the first half. Most of Finley’s big day came from his connection with Harmon, who caught 11 passes for a career-high 247 yards and two scores, including the aforementioned 74-yarder.
Harmon also had a quiet game against the Tigers the week before, but returned to what he does best against the Orange, going up over defenders for contested catches and using his route running to gain separation and stretch the field.
To see Finley and Harmon bounce back and not let poor play in the Clemson loss affect them mentally is a good sign for this team. Sophomore Emeka Emezie also had a big day, with four catches for 89 yards and a score (the 67-yarder).
While a late pick from Finley effectively sealed the win for the Orange, it was the result of a free rusher hitting him as he threw due to a break down in pass protection. The passing game was far and away the highlight for NC State here.
The bad: Penalties — While the awful day from its secondary (more on that in a bit) was the main culprit in the loss, unforced errors also hurt the Pack. NC State racked up nine penalties for 95 yards, many of which allowed the Orange’s offense to stay on the field and extend scoring drives.
Five of the penalties were for defensive pass interference, as the Wolfpack’s defensive backs seemingly felt the need to hang on to Syracuse receivers like they were life preservers. The costliest of these came on a third-down play on Syracuse’s drive following Finley’s pick. Rather than kicking a field goal and giving the ball back to NC State, Syracuse extended its possession and scored the game-clinching touchdown.
Improving on pass defense going forward for NC State will have to start with being more disciplined. Speaking of which…
The ugly: Pass defense — One of the only ways to lose a game where Finley and Harmon played the way they did? You guessed it, give up a boatload to the opposing passing attack. NC State’s secondary was happy to oblige.
The Orange’s aerial attack piled up 480 yards and three scores, mostly behind Eric Dungey’s 411 yards (and all three passing TDs) on 27 completions. Syracuse also found the long ball in this one, with an 82-yard score from wideout Nykeim Johnson.
Syracuse receivers found daylight all game, as the Pack had breakdowns in coverage galore. Trying to claw back into the game in the second half, NC State only stopped the Orange from putting points on the board once and could not give its offense any support.
NC State was without junior corner Nick McCloud, who is a key cog in the secondary, but that’s still an inexcusable performance.
Syracuse did a good chunk of its damage over the middle, as slot receiver Sean Riley torched NC State’s nickels for 164 yards on 10 catches.
NC State still has a chance to hit double-digit wins in the regular season, particularly if the offense remains prolific. However, the troubling trend of a secondary that started the year strong now getting picked apart in consecutive weeks can’t continue if this team wants to find its way to 10 victories.
