North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Faces Nation's Highest-Powered Offense Saturday
9/26/2011 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 26, 2011
RALEIGH, N.C. - NC State's chance to rebound after a disappointing Thursday night performance will come against the highest scoring offense in the nation in 21st-ranked Georgia Tech. Head coach Tom O'Brien met with the media at the Murphy Center Monday to discuss the tall order facing the Wolfpack this week.
"This offense is always hard to play because it's so unique, but it's a great challenge for the team," said O'Brien. "We're going to find out who's disciplined and who's mentally tough, because they force you to concentrate on your assignment each play. All it takes to get you beat is that one missed assignment."
The Yellow Jackets enter the game ranked first overall in points scored (53.3), second in the nation in rushing yards per game (398.8), and boast an increased potency over years' past in the passing game as quarterback Tevin Washington has thrown for 821 yards and eight touchdowns through four games.
"They're throwing the ball so much better right now," said O'Brien. "They've been averaging 230 yards per game, and they're rushing for 400 a game. That's mind-boggling. One of their receivers is averaging 40 yards a catch, those are some big numbers. At the end of last year, they decided they were going to get into the passing game. They've always put pressure inside, but now they're putting pressure on your perimeter and your support people."
The biggest challenge facing the ailing Pack may be defending the interior as Darryl Cato-Bishop will slide from defensive end to tackle, and walk-on Jacob Kahut lands on the depth chart's second-string.
"We only have two defensive tackles left to play this game," said O'Brien. "We moved Cato-Bishop inside, and we're going to play a walk-on inside, that's where we are. We're going to coach them up and get ready to play a football game."
Saturday's game will be televised on ABC with kickoff slated for 3:30 p.m. ET.
