One game won’t sink NC State football’s season, but the red flags are there for the Wolfpack.
One of the most concerning trends for the Pack is its inability to win in the trenches after its season opener against Western Carolina.
Last season, the Wolfpack finished tenth in rushing yards per game, making the run game one of the red-and-white’s biggest concerns entering the offseason. NC State brought back four starters from last year’s squad with 63 combined career starts. Additionally, the Pack added graduate offensive lineman Zeke Correll from Notre Dame to play center. With loads of experience across the offensive line, there were expectations for the unit to take a step forward.
Despite the experience up front, the Wolfpack struggled to establish a rushing threat against the Catamounts for three quarters.
Arguably the most worrisome trend in the Pack’s shaky opener is the push, or lack thereof, created by the offensive line. Without the ability to clear defenders out of the way, graduate running back Jordan Waters found himself met by Catamount defenders at or near the line of scrimmage throughout the night.
Through the first three quarters, the Wolfpack ran the ball 23 times for just 79 yards. Averaging less than 3.5 yards per carry against the Catamounts, one of the smaller defensive fronts the Pack faces this season, is a serious red flag. Without the ability to establish the run game, NC State couldn’t establish balance. While it ultimately didn’t bite the Wolfpack against Western Carolina, stronger opponents like Tennessee and Clemson will be much tougher to beat without a balanced offense.
In key moments, where the Wolfpack needed its offensive line to be at its best, the results were not pretty. Tied in the second quarter, the red-and-white attempted a 4th and 1 in Catamount territory. Rather than punching through the Western Carolina front, NC State allowed an unblocked linebacker to stuff Waters — one of nine times the Catamounts got a tackle for loss.
Defensively, the Wolfpack defensive line had its own struggles. While the defensive line typically doesn’t rack up sacks in the Pack’s 3-3-5 scheme, the inability to challenge the Catamounts’ pass protection proved to be an issue. The entire defensive line produced only two quarterback hurries and one sack, allowing Western Carolina quarterback Cole Gonzalez to effectively drive down the field.
In run defense, NC State was unable to fully contain Western Carolina’s rushing attack. Averaging 6.3 yards per carry, the Catamounts effectively created holes for running backs to run through. Most notably, Gonzalez racked up 75 yards against the Wolfpack, including a 50 yard run. While the defensive line isn’t solely responsible for this, it certainly didn’t maximize its opportunity against Western Carolina.
Any time a team struggles in the trenches is a red flag, especially when facing FCS competition. Struggling to control the line of scrimmage is a recipe for a long, grueling season. The good news for the Wolfpack is that there’s 11 games to prove that this performance was an anomaly, including an opportunity against Tennessee next week.
The Pack did show signs of improvement with a strong fourth quarter in which the Wolfpack outscored the Catamounts 21-0. Offensively, the line found a way to finally create holes for Waters to punch through. Late in the fourth quarter, the offensive line opened a path for Waters that led to a 50 yard touchdown run. Defensively, NC State found its way late, shutting out the Catamounts in the fourth quarter.
For NC State to have the season it wants to have, especially in the trenches, it must improve on its fourth quarter and not return to its early struggles.
