North Carolina State University Athletics
Wolfpack Takes Balanced Attack on Road for First Time
9/12/2014 12:00:00 AM | Football
Sept. 12, 2014
TV: CBSSN | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network | Live Stats
Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - The balanced offensive attack that has lifted NC State (2-0) to a pair of victories to start the season could again be a major asset when the Wolfpack plays its first road game Saturday at South Florida (1-1).
Kickoff time from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is set for 3:30 p.m.
In victories over Georgia Southern and Old Dominion, NC State averaged 207 yards per game rushing and 272 yards passing. The split becomes even more equal when play selection is weighed. Through two games, the Pack has just five more rushing attempts (74) than pass plays (69).
The near 50-50 ratio has kept the chains moving and provided more success in the red zone. So far, NC State has converted seven touchdowns in 10 red zone chances. Last year, the Wolfpack converted only 44 percent (17-39) of its red zone forays into touchdowns.
“That was really a major area of concern coming into fall camp,” said redshirt junior tight end Benson Browne. “Even over the summer we emphasized our red zone plays. To make a big point of it, when we’re in practice, we get the guys together and say ‘we’re in the red zone and this has to be a good period.’ Coaches put a huge emphasis on that and I feel like the players have really responded.”
Of course, it helps to have a quarterback who can make quick decisions in a condensed area of the field where everything happens faster. With a short field, routes are shorter, meaning the quarterback has less time to hold the ball. So far, Jacoby Brissett has not only made quick decisions, he’s also made the right ones.
“He stays in the zone,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said. “In the spring he was doing too much, but now he’s doing what he’s coached to do. He’s reading pre-snap coverage and distributing the football. Last week, he didn’t put our defense in a bad situation and he made plays with his feet, which was great to see. If he can manage the game and be accurate like he’s been, he’ll have a good season.”
Brissett’s calm, poised demeanor has especially been a good mix for a team filled with young, excitable players who have, in some cases, gotten their first taste of college football over the last few weeks.
Brissett ranks 2nd in the ACC and 11th in the BCS in completion percentage (71%). The redshirt junior’s 158.3 passing efficiency rating ranks No. 1 in the ACC. After NC State quarterbacks threw more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (14) last season, Brissett’s early-season ratio of five TD throws compared to just one pick has been a welcome change.
Quarterbacks who try to be Superman and force balls into coverage almost always get themselves and their teams into trouble. Brissett has already shown a willingness to throw the ball out of bounds or into the stands if necessary when he’s in trouble. Two of his famous predecessors at NC State – Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson – learned early on that it’s sometimes better to just throw the ball away and move on to the next down rather than force things by trying to make a play that simply isn’t available.
“Jacoby is a really good playmaker,” Browne said. “He’s good with his feet, he can get out of the pocket, he can step up in the pocket when it starts to collapse, and he’s a very accurate. He’s also a strong leader of our offense. He’s very vocal and I think that will bode well for us the rest of the season.”
Brissett’s steady hand at quarterback has also been complimented by a strong rushing attack that’s producing 207 yards per game. Tailbacks Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes have four touchdowns between them. Thornton is averaging 6.6 yards per carry, while Dayes is just a tick below six yards (5.9) per rush.
With veteran Rob Crisp returning to left tackle and Joe Thuney moving back to his more natural position at guard, the Pack seems to have a solid foundation up front, especially on the left side.
But, Doeren cautions, things could get more difficult this week against a South Florida defense that has eight takeaways and seven sacks in two games.
“This week is their biggest challenge so far,” Doeren said. “In two weeks, we’ve given up two tackles for loss in the run game and two sacks. Two of the tackles for loss were on screen plays, so they’ve done a good job of keeping people out of our backfield and letting our playmakers make plays. I think South Florida’s defensive front is really good. Their outside linebackers are really good rushers. It’s going to be a big challenge for our front.”
Doeren may be more concerned about his defensive front this week. Thought to be NC State’s strongest unit coming into the season, the Wolfpack defensive line has not yet lived up to expectations, surrendering an average of 221 yards on the ground with just one sack. Making matters even more urgent, the Pack will face the nation’s fourth leading rusher on Saturday. True freshman Marlon Mack electrified the South Florida faithful with a school record 275 rushing yards in his first college game two weeks ago against Western Carolina. The Sarasota native is averaging 7.6 yards per pop with four touchdowns.
Doeren has been pushing his defensive line to perform at a higher level this week.
“It’s a matter of playing with better technique and finishing plays,” Doeren said. “When you call a play, it’s not a good play if you don’t execute it with good technique and finish. We’ve got to do those things better on a more consistent basis.”
This will mark the third all-time meeting between NC State and South Florida. The Wolfpack toppled the Bulls in the 2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, 14-0. In 2008, a South Florida team that would later crack the top-10 of the national rankings whipped State in Raleigh, 41-10.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage Saturday with the Matthews Motors Countdown to Kickoff at 1:30 p.m. In hour two of the pregame show, veteran color analyst and former NC State All-American Johnny Evans takes questions from fans on Farm Bureau’s ‘Ask the Analyst.’ Tweet Johnny a question about Pack football @packradio or submit a question here.
A recap of the game will be available on the Dave Doeren TV Show, which will first air Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on WRAL TV-5 in Raleigh and on WILM (CBS) in Wilmington. A stream of the Dave Doeren TV Show is also available Mondays on Gopack.com. For a full schedule of networks carrying the show, go here.
Coach Doeren takes question from fans each week on his TV show. Questions can be sent on Twitter using the hashtag #DoerenTV.
Broadcast Info for NCSU/USF Game | Thursday Football Notebook
Game 3: NC State Wolfpack (2-0) at South Florida Bulls (1-1)
September 13, 2014 • 3:30 p.m.
Tampa, Fla. • Raymond James Stadium (65,857)
TV: CBSSN | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network | Live Stats
Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - The balanced offensive attack that has lifted NC State (2-0) to a pair of victories to start the season could again be a major asset when the Wolfpack plays its first road game Saturday at South Florida (1-1).
Kickoff time from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa is set for 3:30 p.m.
In victories over Georgia Southern and Old Dominion, NC State averaged 207 yards per game rushing and 272 yards passing. The split becomes even more equal when play selection is weighed. Through two games, the Pack has just five more rushing attempts (74) than pass plays (69).
The near 50-50 ratio has kept the chains moving and provided more success in the red zone. So far, NC State has converted seven touchdowns in 10 red zone chances. Last year, the Wolfpack converted only 44 percent (17-39) of its red zone forays into touchdowns.
“That was really a major area of concern coming into fall camp,” said redshirt junior tight end Benson Browne. “Even over the summer we emphasized our red zone plays. To make a big point of it, when we’re in practice, we get the guys together and say ‘we’re in the red zone and this has to be a good period.’ Coaches put a huge emphasis on that and I feel like the players have really responded.”
Of course, it helps to have a quarterback who can make quick decisions in a condensed area of the field where everything happens faster. With a short field, routes are shorter, meaning the quarterback has less time to hold the ball. So far, Jacoby Brissett has not only made quick decisions, he’s also made the right ones.
“He stays in the zone,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said. “In the spring he was doing too much, but now he’s doing what he’s coached to do. He’s reading pre-snap coverage and distributing the football. Last week, he didn’t put our defense in a bad situation and he made plays with his feet, which was great to see. If he can manage the game and be accurate like he’s been, he’ll have a good season.”
Brissett’s calm, poised demeanor has especially been a good mix for a team filled with young, excitable players who have, in some cases, gotten their first taste of college football over the last few weeks.
Brissett ranks 2nd in the ACC and 11th in the BCS in completion percentage (71%). The redshirt junior’s 158.3 passing efficiency rating ranks No. 1 in the ACC. After NC State quarterbacks threw more interceptions (15) than touchdowns (14) last season, Brissett’s early-season ratio of five TD throws compared to just one pick has been a welcome change.
Quarterbacks who try to be Superman and force balls into coverage almost always get themselves and their teams into trouble. Brissett has already shown a willingness to throw the ball out of bounds or into the stands if necessary when he’s in trouble. Two of his famous predecessors at NC State – Philip Rivers and Russell Wilson – learned early on that it’s sometimes better to just throw the ball away and move on to the next down rather than force things by trying to make a play that simply isn’t available.
“Jacoby is a really good playmaker,” Browne said. “He’s good with his feet, he can get out of the pocket, he can step up in the pocket when it starts to collapse, and he’s a very accurate. He’s also a strong leader of our offense. He’s very vocal and I think that will bode well for us the rest of the season.”
Brissett’s steady hand at quarterback has also been complimented by a strong rushing attack that’s producing 207 yards per game. Tailbacks Shadrach Thornton and Matt Dayes have four touchdowns between them. Thornton is averaging 6.6 yards per carry, while Dayes is just a tick below six yards (5.9) per rush.
With veteran Rob Crisp returning to left tackle and Joe Thuney moving back to his more natural position at guard, the Pack seems to have a solid foundation up front, especially on the left side.
But, Doeren cautions, things could get more difficult this week against a South Florida defense that has eight takeaways and seven sacks in two games.
“This week is their biggest challenge so far,” Doeren said. “In two weeks, we’ve given up two tackles for loss in the run game and two sacks. Two of the tackles for loss were on screen plays, so they’ve done a good job of keeping people out of our backfield and letting our playmakers make plays. I think South Florida’s defensive front is really good. Their outside linebackers are really good rushers. It’s going to be a big challenge for our front.”
Doeren may be more concerned about his defensive front this week. Thought to be NC State’s strongest unit coming into the season, the Wolfpack defensive line has not yet lived up to expectations, surrendering an average of 221 yards on the ground with just one sack. Making matters even more urgent, the Pack will face the nation’s fourth leading rusher on Saturday. True freshman Marlon Mack electrified the South Florida faithful with a school record 275 rushing yards in his first college game two weeks ago against Western Carolina. The Sarasota native is averaging 7.6 yards per pop with four touchdowns.
Doeren has been pushing his defensive line to perform at a higher level this week.
“It’s a matter of playing with better technique and finishing plays,” Doeren said. “When you call a play, it’s not a good play if you don’t execute it with good technique and finish. We’ve got to do those things better on a more consistent basis.”
This will mark the third all-time meeting between NC State and South Florida. The Wolfpack toppled the Bulls in the 2005 Meineke Car Care Bowl in Charlotte, 14-0. In 2008, a South Florida team that would later crack the top-10 of the national rankings whipped State in Raleigh, 41-10.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage Saturday with the Matthews Motors Countdown to Kickoff at 1:30 p.m. In hour two of the pregame show, veteran color analyst and former NC State All-American Johnny Evans takes questions from fans on Farm Bureau’s ‘Ask the Analyst.’ Tweet Johnny a question about Pack football @packradio or submit a question here.
A recap of the game will be available on the Dave Doeren TV Show, which will first air Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on WRAL TV-5 in Raleigh and on WILM (CBS) in Wilmington. A stream of the Dave Doeren TV Show is also available Mondays on Gopack.com. For a full schedule of networks carrying the show, go here.
Coach Doeren takes question from fans each week on his TV show. Questions can be sent on Twitter using the hashtag #DoerenTV.
Coach Doeren Signing Day Presser (Dec. 3rd)
Wednesday, December 03
FB Players Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs UNC
Sunday, November 30
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 24)
Monday, November 24