Defense Starts Season Strong, More to Prove Saturday
9/6/2016 7:48:00 AM | Football
RALEIGH, N.C. - A new offensive coordinator with a new starting quarterback received most of the headlines last Thursday night after 521 yards of total offense. But with eight returning starters, and 23 returning lettermen overall, the Pack defense started its 2016 campaign with a strong first showing in the season opening 48-14 win against William & Mary.
The Tribe did take each of its first two possessions of both halves down the field for a pair of touchdowns - totaling 140 yards on 15 plays - a fact that was not lost in postgame interviews. But the rest of the way it was all about the Pack's defense.
In the other 10 William & Mary offensive drives, the NC State defense held the Tribe to a total of just 38 yards on 32 plays. On those 10 drives, the Pack gave up just two first downs, but both came via a Pack defensive penalty.
For the game, NC State held William & Mary to just 168 yards of total offense - 62 rushing, 106 passing - and 10 first downs.
Although it's extremely early in the 2016 season, the Pack is ranked 11th in the NCAA in total defense after the first week, and eighth nationally in giving up just 10 total first downs.
"Defensively, other than the first two drives of each half, I thought they played really well," said head coach Dave Doeren after the game.
"We only gave up three explosive plays - and none went for touchdowns. I thought the guys were where they were supposed to be, we only missed two tackles in the backend. Our defense only played 47 plays, so it was good for our offense to be able to control the clock."
The linebacking duo of Jerod Fernandez (seven) and Airius Moore (four) were the top two tacklers. The defensive line accounted for four tackles for loss, while the Pack's two starting linebackers also had one apiece. NC State also forced a pair of turnovers, getting interceptions from Fernandez and safety Josh Jones.
"We played hard and fast," said defensive tackle B.J. Hill. "We made plays. We just have to keep improving each week, keep making improvements on mistakes that we see on film."
The improvement of the Wolfpack defense has been a steady climb during Doeren's four seasons at NC State. When he was named head coach in December of 2012, he inherited a team that ranked 68th in the NCAA in total defense, giving up over 400 yards a game.
In 2013, NC State improved its national ranking to 61st, but still gave up 399.4 yards per contest. Prior to 2014, the Pack switched to its current 4-2-5 alignment, and improved to a No. 46 total defensive ranking.
Last season, that ranking went up to 29th, as the Pack gave up 350.7 yards per game. The Wolfpack's passing yards allowed (2,642) in 2015 were the lowest total in 10 years.
The Pack came into 2016 only having lost 3 starters off last year's squad - DE Mike Rose, CB Juston Burris, and S Hakim Jones. On the opening week depth chart, 15 juniors and seniors were among the 23 players listed. In fact, every single starter listed on the defensive depth chart has started multiple games during his career, a first for a Dave Doeren squad at NC State.
Turning the focus onto the rest of the 2016 schedule, seven of the Pack's remaining 11 opponents scored at least 30 points in Week 1 action, with six scoring at least 45 points.
The next challenge for the NC State defense is an East Carolina team that won 52-7 over Western Carolina in its home opener this past weekend - scoring all 52 points in the first 44:08 of the game. The Pirates, also breaking in a new offensive coordinator and a transfer starting quarterback, posted the third-best mark for total offense in school history in that game - 688 yards (413 passing, 275 rushing).
New quarterback Philip Nelson threw for 398 yards and five touchdowns in his first start for ECU. Senior receiver Zay Jones caught 10 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown and junior running back Anthony Scott had 120 yards on just 11 carries.
"They were very impressive in their win," said Doeren. "The quarterback played really well and didn't do a whole lot that wasn't good. They have one of the best receivers that we will play, and their tailback is a really talented player.
"They are pretty versatile in what they do, they can give you a few different looks from moving their guys around. it's going to be a great game, and we look forward to playing in it. It is a game between the state's two biggest schools."
One impressive stat the Pack would like to improve upon is the fact Dave Doeren is 3-0 all-time in non-conference road games at NC State, outscoring those opponents 150-44 (50.0-14.7 ppg).
"It's going to be a good game," said Hill. "They have one of biggest offensive lines that we will play, and they play up-tempo just like our offense. We need to stop the run first, then we can have some fun on third downs rushing the passer.
"It's going to be competitive, it will be a war. It's an in-state game, I'm going to be fired up. We are going to do what we need to do to win."
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The Tribe did take each of its first two possessions of both halves down the field for a pair of touchdowns - totaling 140 yards on 15 plays - a fact that was not lost in postgame interviews. But the rest of the way it was all about the Pack's defense.
In the other 10 William & Mary offensive drives, the NC State defense held the Tribe to a total of just 38 yards on 32 plays. On those 10 drives, the Pack gave up just two first downs, but both came via a Pack defensive penalty.
For the game, NC State held William & Mary to just 168 yards of total offense - 62 rushing, 106 passing - and 10 first downs.
Although it's extremely early in the 2016 season, the Pack is ranked 11th in the NCAA in total defense after the first week, and eighth nationally in giving up just 10 total first downs.
"Defensively, other than the first two drives of each half, I thought they played really well," said head coach Dave Doeren after the game.
"We only gave up three explosive plays - and none went for touchdowns. I thought the guys were where they were supposed to be, we only missed two tackles in the backend. Our defense only played 47 plays, so it was good for our offense to be able to control the clock."
The linebacking duo of Jerod Fernandez (seven) and Airius Moore (four) were the top two tacklers. The defensive line accounted for four tackles for loss, while the Pack's two starting linebackers also had one apiece. NC State also forced a pair of turnovers, getting interceptions from Fernandez and safety Josh Jones.
"We played hard and fast," said defensive tackle B.J. Hill. "We made plays. We just have to keep improving each week, keep making improvements on mistakes that we see on film."
The improvement of the Wolfpack defense has been a steady climb during Doeren's four seasons at NC State. When he was named head coach in December of 2012, he inherited a team that ranked 68th in the NCAA in total defense, giving up over 400 yards a game.
In 2013, NC State improved its national ranking to 61st, but still gave up 399.4 yards per contest. Prior to 2014, the Pack switched to its current 4-2-5 alignment, and improved to a No. 46 total defensive ranking.
Last season, that ranking went up to 29th, as the Pack gave up 350.7 yards per game. The Wolfpack's passing yards allowed (2,642) in 2015 were the lowest total in 10 years.
The Pack came into 2016 only having lost 3 starters off last year's squad - DE Mike Rose, CB Juston Burris, and S Hakim Jones. On the opening week depth chart, 15 juniors and seniors were among the 23 players listed. In fact, every single starter listed on the defensive depth chart has started multiple games during his career, a first for a Dave Doeren squad at NC State.
Turning the focus onto the rest of the 2016 schedule, seven of the Pack's remaining 11 opponents scored at least 30 points in Week 1 action, with six scoring at least 45 points.
The next challenge for the NC State defense is an East Carolina team that won 52-7 over Western Carolina in its home opener this past weekend - scoring all 52 points in the first 44:08 of the game. The Pirates, also breaking in a new offensive coordinator and a transfer starting quarterback, posted the third-best mark for total offense in school history in that game - 688 yards (413 passing, 275 rushing).
New quarterback Philip Nelson threw for 398 yards and five touchdowns in his first start for ECU. Senior receiver Zay Jones caught 10 passes for 180 yards and a touchdown and junior running back Anthony Scott had 120 yards on just 11 carries.
"They were very impressive in their win," said Doeren. "The quarterback played really well and didn't do a whole lot that wasn't good. They have one of the best receivers that we will play, and their tailback is a really talented player.
"They are pretty versatile in what they do, they can give you a few different looks from moving their guys around. it's going to be a great game, and we look forward to playing in it. It is a game between the state's two biggest schools."
One impressive stat the Pack would like to improve upon is the fact Dave Doeren is 3-0 all-time in non-conference road games at NC State, outscoring those opponents 150-44 (50.0-14.7 ppg).
"It's going to be a good game," said Hill. "They have one of biggest offensive lines that we will play, and they play up-tempo just like our offense. We need to stop the run first, then we can have some fun on third downs rushing the passer.
"It's going to be competitive, it will be a war. It's an in-state game, I'm going to be fired up. We are going to do what we need to do to win."
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