Quiet Dayes Making Lots of Noise
10/18/2016 7:36:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. - Sometimes it's the quietest ones who make the most noise.
Although he might not be known for making much noise off the field, senior running back Matthew Dayes is certainly making noise in the Pack's backfield, while his work ethic speaks loudly to his teammates.
"He's so quiet, (people) don't understand how competitive he is," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "He is an uber competitive guy."
That competitive, Florida-edge, is helping Dayes ink his name along side the many great Wolfpack running backs in the NC State record book.
Days enters Game 7 of his final campaign ranked 18th in the FBS in rushing yards with 111.5 yards per game - the third-best mark in the ACC, and second-best for a running back. An impressive 51% (342 of 669) of his rushing yards have come from yards after contact in 2016.
"He is what we thought he would be as far as his senior year," said Doeren. "He's a quick, explosive guy that has good vision and a really good skill set from a receiving standpoint and route running [Dayes is tied for second on NC State with 16 receptions]. He can do a lot of different things."
What Dayes has done is take ownership over the running back position for NC State. In the last three games, Dayes has played 193 of a possible 215 snaps (89.8%).
Dayes hadn't played a game - or even been tackled in a practice for that matter - in 306 days before this season's opener due to a season-ending foot injury suffered in the Pack's eighth game last season.
Heading into this weekend's game, Dayes has posted 100-yard rushing games in 10 of his last 13-1/2 outings (he was injured in the first half of the Clemson game last season).
This year, Dayes has rushed for 669 yards through the first six games. In addition to yards per game ranking, Dayes sits 21st in the FBS in both yards and attempts (120). His 132.0 yards per game from scrimmage (rushing and receiving yardage) is 19th amongst all FBS players - 14th-best among all running backs.
"Matt is a special player," continued Doeren. "He's a hard worker. He's a guy that prepares the right way. His linemen and tight ends play hard for him. They deserve some credit on that, as well."
Dayes has had the benefit of consistency along the Pack's offensive line this season.
For the first time under Doeren, the Wolfpack has fielded the same starting five on the offensive line for each of the first six games to start a season. LT Tyler Jones (427), LG Garrett Bradbury (432), C Joe Scelfo (428), RG Tony Adams (412), and RT Will Richardson (417) have combined to play 2,116 of a possible 2,180 snaps (97.1%) on the Pack's offensive line this season.
Last season and in Doeren's first year (2013), NC State used three different O-Line combos in the first six games, while in 2014 the Pack used two.
The offensive line helped paved the way for Dayes to pick up his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season on Saturday. In the OT loss at No. 3 Clemson, Dayes rushed 22 times for 106 yards. He was a workhorse late in the game, with 11 carries for 63 yards coming in the fourth quarter.
On the Pack's final drive in regulation, Dayes toted the ball nine times on the 14-play drive, including five straight carries and a stretch of eight carries in nine plays overall, as the Pack worked the ball down to the Clemson 16 to try a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Clemson narrowly escaped the Pack's upset bid with a TD and game-clinching INT in the overtime, while the Wolfpack again faces a road trip against a top 10 school: No. 7 Louisville on Saturday.
For the first time in school history, NC State is facing top 10 teams on the road in back-to-back games. It marks only the fifth time that NC State has played back-to-back games against top 10 teams in a season.
"I like the competition every week," said TE/FB Jaylen Samuels, who turned in his first career 100-yard receiving game against Clemson. "We can have a top 10 [opponent] every week and I'd be happy. Coming [off] a tough loss, it would mean a lot for us to go up to their place and get a top10 win on the road."
NC State is also the only team in the FBS this season that has had to face top 10 teams on the road in back-to-back games. The Wolfpack is one of six FBS schools that have had back-to-back games against top 10 foes, but the only one that must face both on the road.
"[It's a] great challenge in front of us," said Doeren. "Louisville is playing so good on offense, 52 points per game, 627 total yards of offense per game. QB Lamar Jackson is playing at a tremendous level. He is unbelievable back there athletically. We have the opportunity to go on the road and play a really good football team."
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Although he might not be known for making much noise off the field, senior running back Matthew Dayes is certainly making noise in the Pack's backfield, while his work ethic speaks loudly to his teammates.
"He's so quiet, (people) don't understand how competitive he is," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "He is an uber competitive guy."
That competitive, Florida-edge, is helping Dayes ink his name along side the many great Wolfpack running backs in the NC State record book.
Days enters Game 7 of his final campaign ranked 18th in the FBS in rushing yards with 111.5 yards per game - the third-best mark in the ACC, and second-best for a running back. An impressive 51% (342 of 669) of his rushing yards have come from yards after contact in 2016.
"He is what we thought he would be as far as his senior year," said Doeren. "He's a quick, explosive guy that has good vision and a really good skill set from a receiving standpoint and route running [Dayes is tied for second on NC State with 16 receptions]. He can do a lot of different things."
What Dayes has done is take ownership over the running back position for NC State. In the last three games, Dayes has played 193 of a possible 215 snaps (89.8%).
Dayes hadn't played a game - or even been tackled in a practice for that matter - in 306 days before this season's opener due to a season-ending foot injury suffered in the Pack's eighth game last season.
Heading into this weekend's game, Dayes has posted 100-yard rushing games in 10 of his last 13-1/2 outings (he was injured in the first half of the Clemson game last season).
This year, Dayes has rushed for 669 yards through the first six games. In addition to yards per game ranking, Dayes sits 21st in the FBS in both yards and attempts (120). His 132.0 yards per game from scrimmage (rushing and receiving yardage) is 19th amongst all FBS players - 14th-best among all running backs.
"Matt is a special player," continued Doeren. "He's a hard worker. He's a guy that prepares the right way. His linemen and tight ends play hard for him. They deserve some credit on that, as well."
Dayes has had the benefit of consistency along the Pack's offensive line this season.
For the first time under Doeren, the Wolfpack has fielded the same starting five on the offensive line for each of the first six games to start a season. LT Tyler Jones (427), LG Garrett Bradbury (432), C Joe Scelfo (428), RG Tony Adams (412), and RT Will Richardson (417) have combined to play 2,116 of a possible 2,180 snaps (97.1%) on the Pack's offensive line this season.
Last season and in Doeren's first year (2013), NC State used three different O-Line combos in the first six games, while in 2014 the Pack used two.
The offensive line helped paved the way for Dayes to pick up his fifth 100-yard rushing game of the season on Saturday. In the OT loss at No. 3 Clemson, Dayes rushed 22 times for 106 yards. He was a workhorse late in the game, with 11 carries for 63 yards coming in the fourth quarter.
On the Pack's final drive in regulation, Dayes toted the ball nine times on the 14-play drive, including five straight carries and a stretch of eight carries in nine plays overall, as the Pack worked the ball down to the Clemson 16 to try a game-winning field goal as time expired.
Clemson narrowly escaped the Pack's upset bid with a TD and game-clinching INT in the overtime, while the Wolfpack again faces a road trip against a top 10 school: No. 7 Louisville on Saturday.
For the first time in school history, NC State is facing top 10 teams on the road in back-to-back games. It marks only the fifth time that NC State has played back-to-back games against top 10 teams in a season.
"I like the competition every week," said TE/FB Jaylen Samuels, who turned in his first career 100-yard receiving game against Clemson. "We can have a top 10 [opponent] every week and I'd be happy. Coming [off] a tough loss, it would mean a lot for us to go up to their place and get a top10 win on the road."
NC State is also the only team in the FBS this season that has had to face top 10 teams on the road in back-to-back games. The Wolfpack is one of six FBS schools that have had back-to-back games against top 10 foes, but the only one that must face both on the road.
"[It's a] great challenge in front of us," said Doeren. "Louisville is playing so good on offense, 52 points per game, 627 total yards of offense per game. QB Lamar Jackson is playing at a tremendous level. He is unbelievable back there athletically. We have the opportunity to go on the road and play a really good football team."
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