Thursday Football Notebook
11/5/2015 8:08:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Game Notes | ACCN Affiliates
Game 9: NC State Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3) at Boston College Eagles (3-6, 0-6)
November 7, 2015 • 12:30 p.m. • ACCN/ESPN3
Chestnut Hill, Mass. • Alumni Stadium (44,500)
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Two weeks ago, the Wolfpack won at Wake Forest for the first time since 2001. This week, Dave Doeren's squad will travel to another site that has not been friendly to the Wolfpack over the years: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
In seven road games versus Boston College, NC State has gained victory just once - a 12-7 win in 1937. Since the Eagles joined the ACC in 2005, the Pack has posted an 0-5 mark at Alumni Stadium, and a 3-2 mark at Carter-Finley Stadium.
STRIKING A BALANCE, SEASON 2
NC State fielded the most balanced offense in the FBS last season, rushing for 204.5 yards per game and gaining 204.0 passing yards per contest. With 5,311 yards of total offense, the difference between the rush and the pass was just seven yards (2,659 rushing, 2,652 passing).
This season, the Wolfpack is once again one of the most balanced squads in the FBS, averaging 202.6 rushing yards and 206.9 passing yards per game (1,621 rushing yards, 1,655 passing).
Here's a look at the most balanced teams (for teams with more than 1,600 rushing and passing yards for the season):
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FAST STARTS
The Wolfpack has averaged 11.6 points in the first quarter this season, outscoring its oppponents 93-37 in that frame. Â
In the past two contests, the Wolfpack has scored 41 total points in the first quarter.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS
One area where the Wolfpack has shown vast improvement in 2015 is in the return game.
Heading into game 9, NC State boasts a 15.0 yard punt return average - a mark which would be the second-highest in school history and the best mark since the 1967 season if the season ended today.
The Wolfpack's kickoff return average of 28.6 yards per return would rank as the best in school history.
Junior Bra'Lon Cherry currently ranks second in the ACC and 8th in the FBS in punt return average with a 15.5 mark, while freshman Nyheim Hines ranks second in the ACC, 10th in the FBS, in kickoff returns list at 30.1Â yards per return.
PUNT OF NO RETURN
NC State has been very stingy when it comes to punt returns in 2015. The Wolfpack has allowed just 10 returns for a total of 10 yards this season. That 1.0 yard per return average ranks 4th in the FBS and leads the ACC.
Of NC State's 38 punts on the season, only 10 have been returned (26.3 percent). Of those 10 punts returns, only two have been for positive games (10 yards by South Alabama and 5 yards by Wake Forest). The other eight punt returns against the Pack have either been for no gain or for negative yardage.
ON TARGET
One of senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett's strengths is not forcing passes that would result in a turnover. In fact, during Brissett's short two-year NC State career he owns two of the top-8 interception-free streaks in ACC history.
For his NC State career, Brissett has thrown just six interceptions in his 593 attempts - a rate of just 1 INT for every 99 pass attempts. By comparison, in Dave Doeren's first season at NC State in 2013, Pack QBs threw 14 INTs in 426 attempts (1 INT per 30 attempts).
A season after having just five INTs for the entire season, Brissett has an even better rate in 2015. Eight games into his final campaign, he has thrown just one pick in his 223 pass attempts.
In 2015, 73 FBS quarterbacks have attempted at least 200 passes. Of those, only four have thrown just one interception (none are INT free):
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RUNAWAY DAYES
Wolfpack junior Matthew Dayes currently ranks 25th in the FBS in rushing yards and his 865 yards for the season, he is third in the ACC, and is the 15th-best mark in school history. He leads the league in rushing touchdowns with a dozen (11th in FBS).
In the Wolfpack's win over Wake, Dayes became just the sixth individual in school history to rush for over 200 yards in a game and his 205 yards ranks as the fifth-best mark in school history.
Dayes is attempting to became the Pack's first 1,000 yard rusher since T.A. McLendon accomplished the feat in 2002. If he were to break that mark, it would mark only the fourth time NC State has had a 1,000 yard rusher since 1984.
He is the first Wolfpack players since 2002 to rush for 100+ yards in five games during the season.
Last season, Dayes was one of just three players nationally with more than 300 yards rushing, receiving and in returns (Jamal Morrow of Washington St. & Temple's Jahad Thomas were the others). He was the ONLY player nationally to reach those marks and also boast five or more touchdowns rushing and receiving in 2014.
NO GIVEAWAYS
NC State ranks 4th in the FBS in fewest turnovers this season - with a paltry five for the season. The Wolfpack has thrown just one interception and has lost four fumbles.
NO TAKEAWAYS
On the flip side, the Wolfpack ranks 118th in turnovers gained in 2015. NC State's defense has picked off four passes and although it has forced 16 fumbles, has only recovered three of them.
ROSE ARISES
Senior defensive end Mike Rose is currently the ACC leader in sacks with 7.5, the 10th-best mark in the FBS. He had three crucial sacks in the win over Wake Forest - with all three coming on third down plays. That mark is tied as the fifth-best mark in school history (he also had three in the win over Syracuse last season).
The Bednarik Award candidate has now recorded a tackle for loss in 15 straight games dating back to last season. Over that span, Rose has 21 tackles for loss for 107 yards.
Rose has 29.5 career tackles for loss - the No. 17 mark in school history, while his 14.5 sacks ranks 13th.
TIGHT END TIME
Against Clemson, Wolfpack tight ends pulled in 15 of the team's 24 receptions. TE/FB Jaylen Samuels led the team with 8 grabs, while TE David J. Grinnage had the most receptions of his career - 7 - for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Game 9: NC State Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3) at Boston College Eagles (3-6, 0-6)
November 7, 2015 • 12:30 p.m. • ACCN/ESPN3
Chestnut Hill, Mass. • Alumni Stadium (44,500)
ON THE ROAD AGAIN
Two weeks ago, the Wolfpack won at Wake Forest for the first time since 2001. This week, Dave Doeren's squad will travel to another site that has not been friendly to the Wolfpack over the years: Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts.
In seven road games versus Boston College, NC State has gained victory just once - a 12-7 win in 1937. Since the Eagles joined the ACC in 2005, the Pack has posted an 0-5 mark at Alumni Stadium, and a 3-2 mark at Carter-Finley Stadium.
STRIKING A BALANCE, SEASON 2
NC State fielded the most balanced offense in the FBS last season, rushing for 204.5 yards per game and gaining 204.0 passing yards per contest. With 5,311 yards of total offense, the difference between the rush and the pass was just seven yards (2,659 rushing, 2,652 passing).
This season, the Wolfpack is once again one of the most balanced squads in the FBS, averaging 202.6 rushing yards and 206.9 passing yards per game (1,621 rushing yards, 1,655 passing).
Here's a look at the most balanced teams (for teams with more than 1,600 rushing and passing yards for the season):
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| Rk. | School | Rush | Pass | Diff. |
| 1. | Iowa | 1611 | 1630 | 19 |
| 2. | Tennessee | 1713 | 1680 | 33 |
| 3. | NC State | 1621 | 1655 | 34 |
| 4. | Stanford | 1774 | 1721 | 53 |
| 5. | Baylor | 2368 | 2435 | 67 |
| 6. | Houston | 2191 | 2108 | 83 |
FAST STARTS
The Wolfpack has averaged 11.6 points in the first quarter this season, outscoring its oppponents 93-37 in that frame. Â
In the past two contests, the Wolfpack has scored 41 total points in the first quarter.
MANY HAPPY RETURNS
One area where the Wolfpack has shown vast improvement in 2015 is in the return game.
Heading into game 9, NC State boasts a 15.0 yard punt return average - a mark which would be the second-highest in school history and the best mark since the 1967 season if the season ended today.
The Wolfpack's kickoff return average of 28.6 yards per return would rank as the best in school history.
Junior Bra'Lon Cherry currently ranks second in the ACC and 8th in the FBS in punt return average with a 15.5 mark, while freshman Nyheim Hines ranks second in the ACC, 10th in the FBS, in kickoff returns list at 30.1Â yards per return.
PUNT OF NO RETURN
NC State has been very stingy when it comes to punt returns in 2015. The Wolfpack has allowed just 10 returns for a total of 10 yards this season. That 1.0 yard per return average ranks 4th in the FBS and leads the ACC.
Of NC State's 38 punts on the season, only 10 have been returned (26.3 percent). Of those 10 punts returns, only two have been for positive games (10 yards by South Alabama and 5 yards by Wake Forest). The other eight punt returns against the Pack have either been for no gain or for negative yardage.
ON TARGET
One of senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett's strengths is not forcing passes that would result in a turnover. In fact, during Brissett's short two-year NC State career he owns two of the top-8 interception-free streaks in ACC history.
For his NC State career, Brissett has thrown just six interceptions in his 593 attempts - a rate of just 1 INT for every 99 pass attempts. By comparison, in Dave Doeren's first season at NC State in 2013, Pack QBs threw 14 INTs in 426 attempts (1 INT per 30 attempts).
A season after having just five INTs for the entire season, Brissett has an even better rate in 2015. Eight games into his final campaign, he has thrown just one pick in his 223 pass attempts.
In 2015, 73 FBS quarterbacks have attempted at least 200 passes. Of those, only four have thrown just one interception (none are INT free):
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| Player | School | Attempts | INTs |
| Paxton Lynch | Memphis | 286 | 1 |
| Dak Prescott | Mississippi State | 260 | 1 |
| Jacoby Brissett | NC State | 223 | 1 |
| Everett Golson | Florida State | 207 | 1 |
RUNAWAY DAYES
Wolfpack junior Matthew Dayes currently ranks 25th in the FBS in rushing yards and his 865 yards for the season, he is third in the ACC, and is the 15th-best mark in school history. He leads the league in rushing touchdowns with a dozen (11th in FBS).
In the Wolfpack's win over Wake, Dayes became just the sixth individual in school history to rush for over 200 yards in a game and his 205 yards ranks as the fifth-best mark in school history.
Dayes is attempting to became the Pack's first 1,000 yard rusher since T.A. McLendon accomplished the feat in 2002. If he were to break that mark, it would mark only the fourth time NC State has had a 1,000 yard rusher since 1984.
He is the first Wolfpack players since 2002 to rush for 100+ yards in five games during the season.
Last season, Dayes was one of just three players nationally with more than 300 yards rushing, receiving and in returns (Jamal Morrow of Washington St. & Temple's Jahad Thomas were the others). He was the ONLY player nationally to reach those marks and also boast five or more touchdowns rushing and receiving in 2014.
NO GIVEAWAYS
NC State ranks 4th in the FBS in fewest turnovers this season - with a paltry five for the season. The Wolfpack has thrown just one interception and has lost four fumbles.
NO TAKEAWAYS
On the flip side, the Wolfpack ranks 118th in turnovers gained in 2015. NC State's defense has picked off four passes and although it has forced 16 fumbles, has only recovered three of them.
ROSE ARISES
Senior defensive end Mike Rose is currently the ACC leader in sacks with 7.5, the 10th-best mark in the FBS. He had three crucial sacks in the win over Wake Forest - with all three coming on third down plays. That mark is tied as the fifth-best mark in school history (he also had three in the win over Syracuse last season).
The Bednarik Award candidate has now recorded a tackle for loss in 15 straight games dating back to last season. Over that span, Rose has 21 tackles for loss for 107 yards.
Rose has 29.5 career tackles for loss - the No. 17 mark in school history, while his 14.5 sacks ranks 13th.
TIGHT END TIME
Against Clemson, Wolfpack tight ends pulled in 15 of the team's 24 receptions. TE/FB Jaylen Samuels led the team with 8 grabs, while TE David J. Grinnage had the most receptions of his career - 7 - for 82 yards and a touchdown.
Players Mentioned
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