Thursday Football Notebook
11/17/2016 8:07:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Game Notes | ACC Network Affiliates
Game 11: NC State (5-5, 2-4 ACC) vs. Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC)
November 19, 2016 • 12:30 p.m. • ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
NC STATE VS. MIAMI
No current member of the Wolfpack squad has ever played a game against Miami. In the 13 seasons that the University of Miami has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (since 2004), NC State has faced the Hurricanes just four times. Â
Three of those contests have been close calls, as Miami won 44-37 on its home field in 2012, the Wolfpack won 38-28 in Raleigh in 2008, won in overtime at the Orange Bowl in 2007 (19-16) and lost 31-45 in Raleigh in 2004. Â
PACK LOOKS FOR BOWL ELIGIBILITY
NC State is one win away from gaining bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season under head coach Dave Doeren. In 2014 NC State earned a berth in the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl, defeating Central Florida, while last season the Pack fell to Mississippi State in the Belk Bowl.
NC State is attempting to become bowl eligible for the sixth time over the last seven seasons.
SENIORS PLAY LAST HOME GAME
Wolfpack Nation will honor 14 seniors in pregame ceremonies on Saturday as they play their last home game. This year's senior class is the first that has seen all of its action under head coach Dave Doeren.
The 2016 senior class has combined to play in 350 career games, make 135 career starts and play 9,858 total snaps.
2016 Wolfpack Seniors
Bra'Lon Cherry   WR
Niles Clark   Nickel
Matthew Dayes   RB
Clark Eyers   TE
Ben Grazen   WR
Connor Haskins   PK
Bryce Kennedy   OG
Monty Nelson   DT
Joe Scelfo   C
Josh Sessoms   S
Josh Taylor   QB
Jack Tocho   CB
John Tu'uta   OG
Dravious Wright   Nickel
DAYES CLOSES IN ON 1,000 YARDS
Heading into Game 11, senior running back Matt Dayes is just 61 yards from becoming the Wolfpack's first 1,000 yard rusher since T.A. McClendon in 2002. He would be only the 8th player in school history to reach that goal and it would mark only the 11th time an NC State runner has hit that magic mark.
Dayes currently ranks 3rd in the ACC in rushing - 30th in the FBS - with 939 yards.   He has rushed for over 100 yards in seven different contests this season - most for a Wolfpack runner since Joe McIntosh in 1981.
An impressive 51% (483 of 939) of his rushing yards have come from yards after contact in 2016.
Dayes played just a quarter of the game at Louisville after getting banged up and had just 45 rushing yards versus BC when the Pack couldn't establish a running game. He hadn't played a game in 306 days before this year's season opener due to a season-ending foot injury suffered last season against Clemson (10/31/15). Â
STOPPING THE RUN
NC State has put together one of the most solid run defenses in school history in 2016. If the season ended today, the 99.4 yards allowed on the ground would rank as the 2nd-best mark by a Wolfpack squad since 1953.
Here's a look at the top run defenses ever at NC State:
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STOPPING THE RUN, Part 2Â Â Â
The Wolfpack rush defense mark of 99.4 yard allowed per game ranks 4th in the FBS and leads the ACC.
Five 2016 opponents have been held to less than 70 rushing yards: William & Mary, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Florida State and Syracuse. That ties the school record set by the 2014 Wolfpack squad.
The 163 rushing yards by Louisville was the most against the Wolfpack all season. However, that mark was 142.7 yards less that what the Cardinals were averaging on the ground heading into the contest (305.7 rushing ypg).
In the past three years combined, NC State has held 14 opponents to less than 70 rushing yards (five this year, four in 2015 and five in 2014).
CHUBB IS BIGGEST LOSER
Defensive end Bradley Chubb has been a big loser for the Wolfpack in 2016. The junior has 17 tackles for loss this season, a mark which ties (with his strength and conditioning coach Dantonio Burnette) for 5th in school history.
Chubb currently leads the ACC and ranks 4th in the FBS in TFLs, while his 8 sacks is the league's 5th-best mark and ranks 22nd nationally.
For his career, Chubb has tallied 29 stops behind the line of scrimmage, a mark that ranks 17th in school history. He had a season high four TFLs in last week's win over Syracuse.
RECEIVERS ROLL
In 2015, wide receivers accounted for just 46% of the Wolfpack's total receptions (114/246). This season, the Wolfpack's young wideouts are playing a bigger role in the passing game.
Heading into Game 11, 60% of the team's receptions have had wide receivers as the target. Although the team is still led in receiving by TE/FB Jaylen Samuels (43-422), Nyheim Hines has moved into 2nd place with 34 grabs and wide receivers have caught 126 of 210 passes for the season.
Almost half of the Wolfpack's 114 receptions by wide receivers last season (53) were caught by players who are not seeing action in 2016. Senior Jumichael Ramos was the second-leading receiver on the team last year (leading all WRs) with 34 grabs. He underwent knee surgery this summer and will redshirt this year.
Johnathan Alston had 18 receptions last season before moving to cornerback during spring drills.
HARMON(Y)
True freshman wide receiver Kelvin Harmon has set a school record for touchdown receptions by a freshman with five this season. The Palmyra, N.J. native's 390 receiving yards is the 3rd-best mark ever by a Pack rookie.
Harmon leads the team in touchdown catches and almost a quarter of his total catches (5-22) have been for touchdowns.
Against Syracuse, Harmon became the 5th Wolfpack receiver to turn in a 100-yard game in 2016 - a mark that ranks 2nd nationally.
Harmon has started three games in 2016, more than any other true or redshirt freshman. True freshman Thaddeus Moss (TE/FB) has two starts, while RS-freshman Jarius Morehead (SS) started one contest as well.
YOUNG FINLEY PLAYS LIKE VET
Because he's already earned his college degree, people tend to think of Wolfpack quarterback Ryan Finley as a seasoned veteran, when in fact the RS-sophomore is only in his first season as a collegiate starter.
And what a season it's been! With two regular season games left to play, Finley has already posted the 14th-best single-season passing yardage total in school history with 2,463 yards. He ranks 17th in the single-season record book with 15 touchdown passes.
Finley posted his third-straight 300-yard passing game last week in the win at Syracuse, making him the first NC State QB since Russell Wilson in 2010 to accomplish that feat.
Heading into the game against No. 3 Clemson on Oct. 15, Finley boasted the nation's third-longest interception-free streak. Prior to a second-quarter pick, the Phoenix, Az., native had thrown 139 passes this season without an INT and had a streak of 146 attempts without a pick dating back to last season at Boise State. Â
In the last 37 seasons (since 1980), no other Wolfpack QB had attempted more passes before throwing his first interception as a starter at NC State. Â
100-YARD CLUB
Only one FBS school has had more individual players turn in 100-yard receiving games than NC State. The Wolfpack has had five different players turn in five 100-yard games in 2016: Stephen Louis (2), Nyheim Hines (1), Bra'Lon Cherry (1), Jaylen Samuels (1) and Kelvin Harmon.
Here's a look at where the Pack ranks nationally in individual 100-yard receivers this season:
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This marks the first time in school history that the Wolfpack has had five different players turn in 100-yard receiving games.
500 YARDS
NC State has posted over 500 yards in total offense in four games in 2016. In 2015, the Wolfpack gained 500+ yards three times, did so just twice in 2014 and just once in 2013. The Wolfpack has had more 500-yard offense games in a season just once in school history, as the 2003 squad led by Philip Rivers posted five 500+ yard games.
UNSACKABLE
The "Band of Brothers" (aka the NC State offensive line) currently ranks 4th in the ACC and 31st in the FBS in sacks allowed - giving up just 16 this season.
It's been 10 years since a Wolfpack line gave up less than 20 sacks in a season (19 in 2006).
GOING DEEP
When you look at the "long" column in the NC State receiving stats, you see some pretty big numbers. Stephen Louis - long of 80 yards. Bra'Lon Cherry - long of 79 yards. Maurice Trowell - long of 70 yards. Kelvin Harmon - long of 68 yards.
For the first time in school history, the Wolfpack has three different receivers with catches of 70+ yards in the same season. No other ACC school has more than 2 receivers with catches of 70+ yards in 2016.
JONES LEADS PACK
Free safety Josh Jones is having one of the best years of any defender in the ACC. The junior, who moved from strong safety prior to this season, leads the team in tackles with 88 and his 8.9 stops per game is the 7th-best mark in the ACC. He ranks 7th in the league in solo tackles with 5.1 per game - the 36th-best mark in the FBS.
Jones has also picked off two passes this season, and caused and recovered a fumble. His 15 tackles against Boston College was the most for a Pack player since 2012.
STARTING LINE(ups)
NC State has had the luxury of only using two different starting combos on both the offensive and defensive lines through the first 10 games in 2016. In the first six games of the season, the Wolfpack started the same five players on the offensive line and the same four on the defensive line in every game - a first in head coach Dave Doeren's four seasons.
On the defensive line, Bradley Chubb, B.J. Hill, Justin Jones and Kentavius Street have combined for 39 of the possible 40 starts this season. The only change came at Louisville, when Darian Roseboro started for Street at DE.
The offensive line has also seen limited changes, as Tyler Jones, Garrett Bradbury, Joe Scelfo, Tony Adams and Will Richardson have made 48 of the possible 50 starts. The lone exception on the offensive line was Terronne Prescod making the start at RT against both Louisville and Florida State.
Last season, the Pack started four different offensive line combos and three on the defensive line. In 2014, the number of starting defensive line combos rose to six while the offensive line had three, and in Doeren's first season in 2013 those numbers were seven for the defense and three for the offensive lines.
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Game 11: NC State (5-5, 2-4 ACC) vs. Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC)
November 19, 2016 • 12:30 p.m. • ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
NC STATE VS. MIAMI
No current member of the Wolfpack squad has ever played a game against Miami. In the 13 seasons that the University of Miami has been a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (since 2004), NC State has faced the Hurricanes just four times. Â
Three of those contests have been close calls, as Miami won 44-37 on its home field in 2012, the Wolfpack won 38-28 in Raleigh in 2008, won in overtime at the Orange Bowl in 2007 (19-16) and lost 31-45 in Raleigh in 2004. Â
PACK LOOKS FOR BOWL ELIGIBILITY
NC State is one win away from gaining bowl eligibility for the third consecutive season under head coach Dave Doeren. In 2014 NC State earned a berth in the Bitcoin St. Petersburg Bowl, defeating Central Florida, while last season the Pack fell to Mississippi State in the Belk Bowl.
NC State is attempting to become bowl eligible for the sixth time over the last seven seasons.
SENIORS PLAY LAST HOME GAME
Wolfpack Nation will honor 14 seniors in pregame ceremonies on Saturday as they play their last home game. This year's senior class is the first that has seen all of its action under head coach Dave Doeren.
The 2016 senior class has combined to play in 350 career games, make 135 career starts and play 9,858 total snaps.
2016 Wolfpack Seniors
Bra'Lon Cherry   WR
Niles Clark   Nickel
Matthew Dayes   RB
Clark Eyers   TE
Ben Grazen   WR
Connor Haskins   PK
Bryce Kennedy   OG
Monty Nelson   DT
Joe Scelfo   C
Josh Sessoms   S
Josh Taylor   QB
Jack Tocho   CB
John Tu'uta   OG
Dravious Wright   Nickel
DAYES CLOSES IN ON 1,000 YARDS
Heading into Game 11, senior running back Matt Dayes is just 61 yards from becoming the Wolfpack's first 1,000 yard rusher since T.A. McClendon in 2002. He would be only the 8th player in school history to reach that goal and it would mark only the 11th time an NC State runner has hit that magic mark.
Dayes currently ranks 3rd in the ACC in rushing - 30th in the FBS - with 939 yards.   He has rushed for over 100 yards in seven different contests this season - most for a Wolfpack runner since Joe McIntosh in 1981.
An impressive 51% (483 of 939) of his rushing yards have come from yards after contact in 2016.
Dayes played just a quarter of the game at Louisville after getting banged up and had just 45 rushing yards versus BC when the Pack couldn't establish a running game. He hadn't played a game in 306 days before this year's season opener due to a season-ending foot injury suffered last season against Clemson (10/31/15). Â
STOPPING THE RUN
NC State has put together one of the most solid run defenses in school history in 2016. If the season ended today, the 99.4 yards allowed on the ground would rank as the 2nd-best mark by a Wolfpack squad since 1953.
Here's a look at the top run defenses ever at NC State:
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| Rk. | Year | Rush Yds Allowed |
| 1. | 1953 | 98.3 |
| 2. | 2016 | 99.4 |
| 3. | 2004 | 102.4 |
| 4. | 1988 | 103.6 |
| 5. | 2005 | 107.2 |
STOPPING THE RUN, Part 2Â Â Â
The Wolfpack rush defense mark of 99.4 yard allowed per game ranks 4th in the FBS and leads the ACC.
Five 2016 opponents have been held to less than 70 rushing yards: William & Mary, Wake Forest, Notre Dame, Florida State and Syracuse. That ties the school record set by the 2014 Wolfpack squad.
The 163 rushing yards by Louisville was the most against the Wolfpack all season. However, that mark was 142.7 yards less that what the Cardinals were averaging on the ground heading into the contest (305.7 rushing ypg).
In the past three years combined, NC State has held 14 opponents to less than 70 rushing yards (five this year, four in 2015 and five in 2014).
CHUBB IS BIGGEST LOSER
Defensive end Bradley Chubb has been a big loser for the Wolfpack in 2016. The junior has 17 tackles for loss this season, a mark which ties (with his strength and conditioning coach Dantonio Burnette) for 5th in school history.
Chubb currently leads the ACC and ranks 4th in the FBS in TFLs, while his 8 sacks is the league's 5th-best mark and ranks 22nd nationally.
For his career, Chubb has tallied 29 stops behind the line of scrimmage, a mark that ranks 17th in school history. He had a season high four TFLs in last week's win over Syracuse.
RECEIVERS ROLL
In 2015, wide receivers accounted for just 46% of the Wolfpack's total receptions (114/246). This season, the Wolfpack's young wideouts are playing a bigger role in the passing game.
Heading into Game 11, 60% of the team's receptions have had wide receivers as the target. Although the team is still led in receiving by TE/FB Jaylen Samuels (43-422), Nyheim Hines has moved into 2nd place with 34 grabs and wide receivers have caught 126 of 210 passes for the season.
Almost half of the Wolfpack's 114 receptions by wide receivers last season (53) were caught by players who are not seeing action in 2016. Senior Jumichael Ramos was the second-leading receiver on the team last year (leading all WRs) with 34 grabs. He underwent knee surgery this summer and will redshirt this year.
Johnathan Alston had 18 receptions last season before moving to cornerback during spring drills.
HARMON(Y)
True freshman wide receiver Kelvin Harmon has set a school record for touchdown receptions by a freshman with five this season. The Palmyra, N.J. native's 390 receiving yards is the 3rd-best mark ever by a Pack rookie.
Harmon leads the team in touchdown catches and almost a quarter of his total catches (5-22) have been for touchdowns.
Against Syracuse, Harmon became the 5th Wolfpack receiver to turn in a 100-yard game in 2016 - a mark that ranks 2nd nationally.
Harmon has started three games in 2016, more than any other true or redshirt freshman. True freshman Thaddeus Moss (TE/FB) has two starts, while RS-freshman Jarius Morehead (SS) started one contest as well.
YOUNG FINLEY PLAYS LIKE VET
Because he's already earned his college degree, people tend to think of Wolfpack quarterback Ryan Finley as a seasoned veteran, when in fact the RS-sophomore is only in his first season as a collegiate starter.
And what a season it's been! With two regular season games left to play, Finley has already posted the 14th-best single-season passing yardage total in school history with 2,463 yards. He ranks 17th in the single-season record book with 15 touchdown passes.
Finley posted his third-straight 300-yard passing game last week in the win at Syracuse, making him the first NC State QB since Russell Wilson in 2010 to accomplish that feat.
Heading into the game against No. 3 Clemson on Oct. 15, Finley boasted the nation's third-longest interception-free streak. Prior to a second-quarter pick, the Phoenix, Az., native had thrown 139 passes this season without an INT and had a streak of 146 attempts without a pick dating back to last season at Boise State. Â
In the last 37 seasons (since 1980), no other Wolfpack QB had attempted more passes before throwing his first interception as a starter at NC State. Â
100-YARD CLUB
Only one FBS school has had more individual players turn in 100-yard receiving games than NC State. The Wolfpack has had five different players turn in five 100-yard games in 2016: Stephen Louis (2), Nyheim Hines (1), Bra'Lon Cherry (1), Jaylen Samuels (1) and Kelvin Harmon.
Here's a look at where the Pack ranks nationally in individual 100-yard receivers this season:
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| Rk. | School | 100+ receivers |
| 1. | Missouri | 6 |
| 2. | NC State | 5 |
| Purdue | 5 | |
| Florida State | 5 | |
| 5. | Syracuse | 4 |
| Colorado | 4 | |
| Troy | 4 | |
| Louisville | 4 |
This marks the first time in school history that the Wolfpack has had five different players turn in 100-yard receiving games.
500 YARDS
NC State has posted over 500 yards in total offense in four games in 2016. In 2015, the Wolfpack gained 500+ yards three times, did so just twice in 2014 and just once in 2013. The Wolfpack has had more 500-yard offense games in a season just once in school history, as the 2003 squad led by Philip Rivers posted five 500+ yard games.
UNSACKABLE
The "Band of Brothers" (aka the NC State offensive line) currently ranks 4th in the ACC and 31st in the FBS in sacks allowed - giving up just 16 this season.
It's been 10 years since a Wolfpack line gave up less than 20 sacks in a season (19 in 2006).
GOING DEEP
When you look at the "long" column in the NC State receiving stats, you see some pretty big numbers. Stephen Louis - long of 80 yards. Bra'Lon Cherry - long of 79 yards. Maurice Trowell - long of 70 yards. Kelvin Harmon - long of 68 yards.
For the first time in school history, the Wolfpack has three different receivers with catches of 70+ yards in the same season. No other ACC school has more than 2 receivers with catches of 70+ yards in 2016.
JONES LEADS PACK
Free safety Josh Jones is having one of the best years of any defender in the ACC. The junior, who moved from strong safety prior to this season, leads the team in tackles with 88 and his 8.9 stops per game is the 7th-best mark in the ACC. He ranks 7th in the league in solo tackles with 5.1 per game - the 36th-best mark in the FBS.
Jones has also picked off two passes this season, and caused and recovered a fumble. His 15 tackles against Boston College was the most for a Pack player since 2012.
STARTING LINE(ups)
NC State has had the luxury of only using two different starting combos on both the offensive and defensive lines through the first 10 games in 2016. In the first six games of the season, the Wolfpack started the same five players on the offensive line and the same four on the defensive line in every game - a first in head coach Dave Doeren's four seasons.
On the defensive line, Bradley Chubb, B.J. Hill, Justin Jones and Kentavius Street have combined for 39 of the possible 40 starts this season. The only change came at Louisville, when Darian Roseboro started for Street at DE.
The offensive line has also seen limited changes, as Tyler Jones, Garrett Bradbury, Joe Scelfo, Tony Adams and Will Richardson have made 48 of the possible 50 starts. The lone exception on the offensive line was Terronne Prescod making the start at RT against both Louisville and Florida State.
Last season, the Pack started four different offensive line combos and three on the defensive line. In 2014, the number of starting defensive line combos rose to six while the offensive line had three, and in Doeren's first season in 2013 those numbers were seven for the defense and three for the offensive lines.
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Players Mentioned
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NIC
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