Saturday Football Notebook
12/23/2016 10:54:00 PM | Football
Bowl Guide | Game Notes
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The Camping World Independence Bowl marks NC State's 30th postseason appearance and its 12th bowl game since 2000. The Wolfpack posts a 15-13-1 overall record in postseason bowls and is 7-4 in its last 11 outings.
This marks the Wolfpack's third consecutive bowl trip 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.
PACK POSTS TOP OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
Heading into the bowl game, the Wolfpack has posted some of the top offensive numbers in school history, including the fifth-best total yards per game mark.
Here's a look at where some of the Pack's 2016 offensive numbers rank in school history:
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STOPPING THE RUN
NC State is the ACC leader in rushing defense this season, allowing just 104.7 yards per game. That is the best mark for a Wolfpack squad since 2004 - the year that State led the nation in total defense. Â
If the season ended today, that mark would rank as the fourth-best mark by a Wolfpack squad since 1953.Â
STOPPING THE RUN, Part 2Â Â Â
The Wolfpack rush defense mark of 104.7 yard allowed per game ranks fifth in the FBS heading into the Independence Bowl.
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).
HAPPY DAYES
Running back Matt Dayes has had an outstanding senior season- becoming the Wolfpack's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2002. A second-team All-ACC performer, Dayes ranks third in the ACC in rushing and seventh in all-purpose yards.
Dayes is only the eighth individual player in school history to reach the 1,000-yard goal and it marks only the 11th time an NC State runner has hit that magic mark.
The Ft. Lauderdale native has rushed for over 100 yards in eight different contests in 2016, the highest total for NC State since Ted Brown (the ACC's all-time leading rusher) had nine in 1977 and the second-highest mark in school history. An impressive 53% of Dayes' rushing yards have come after contact in 2016. He has accounted for 59% of the team's rushing yardage this season.
CHUBB IS BIGGEST LOSER
Junior defensive end Bradley Chubb has been a big loser for the Wolfpack in 2016. The junior has 21 tackles for loss this season, a mark which ranks second in school history. Only Mario Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NFL draft, had more TFLs in a single season for NC State than Chubb's 2016 total.
Chubb, a second-team All-ACC choice by the league coaches, leads the FBS in TFLs, while his 9.5 sacks is tied as the fifth-best mark in the ACC and ranks 23rd nationally.
For his career, Chubb has tallied 33 stops behind the line of scrimmage, a mark that is tied for 12th in school history. He had a season high four TFLs in the Nov. 12 over Syracuse.
His 9.5 sacks in 2016 is the fifth-best single season mark for a Pack player and his 15 career sacks ranks 12th.
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 the bowl game, 61% (149/244) 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 (49-461), WR Nyheim Hines ranks second with 37 catches and WR Stephen Louis is third with 33 grabs. In terms of reception yardage, Louis (657) leads the team by almost 200 yards.
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Almost half of the receptions by wide receivers in 2016 went to players who did not play in 2015 (72: Louis 33, Harmon 26 and Jakobi Meyers 13).
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 (3), Nyheim Hines (1), Bra'Lon Cherry (1), Jaylen Samuels (1) and Kelvin Harmon (1).
BAND OF BROTHERS
One of the biggest question marks for the Wolfpack heading into the 2016 season was the offensive line. That group had to rebuild after three three-year starters from 2015 completed their eligibility: All-American tackle Joe Thuney (who is starting for the New England Patriots), guard Alex Barr and center Quinton Schooley.
First-year o-line coach Dwayne Ledford, also was without returning starters Tony Adams (injury) and Will Richardson (suspension) during the spring and had only four linemen healthy during spring drills.
But that unit, named the "Band of Brothers" by Ledford, has solidified into something special and the offensive line currently ranks fourth in the ACC and 26th in the FBS in sacks allowed - giving up just 17 this season. Tony Adams was named a second-team All-ACC performer, while Joe Scelfo earned honorable mention honors.
It's been 10 years since a Wolfpack line gave up less than 20 sacks in a season (19 in 2006).
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
It's not an easy task at NC State. The Wolfpack has three Joneses listed in the starting lineup: LT Tyler Jones, DT Justin Jones and FS Josh Jones. Each member of that trio has started every game of the 2016 season.
Tyler Jones started games at left guard and right tackle in 2015, and started every game at the crucial left tackle spot in 2016. The redshirt sophomore now has 18 starts, 23 games played and 1,415 career snaps under his belt.
Justin Jones was a top reserve on the d-line last season, playing in all 13 games and starting three. He also played in 10 contests as a freshman. He now boasts 35 career games played, 15 starts and 1,062 snaps.
Josh Jones is the most experienced Jones on the squad. A two-year starter at strong safety, Josh moved to free safety for 2016, where his size and strength has been a huge benefit. He's started 31 career games, while playing in 37, and has seen action in 2,215 snaps from scrimmage, plus numerous special teams snaps. He is the Wolfpack's leading tackler in 2016.
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 458 receiving yards is the third-best mark ever by a Pack rookie.
Harmon leads the team in touchdown catches with five and almost a 1/5 of his 26 total catches have been for touchdowns.
Against Syracuse, Harmon became the fifth Wolfpack receiver to turn in a 100-yard game in 2016 - a mark that ranks second nationally.
Harmon has started four games in 2016, more than any other true or redshirt freshman. Â
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 two receivers with catches of 70+ yards in 2016.
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.
With the bowl game left to play, Finley has already posted the best passing yardage total ever by a Wolfpack sophomore and his 2,824 yards ranks ninth overall in school history. Only current NFL players Philip Rivers, Russell WIlson and Mike Glennon and 1998 starter Jamie Barnette ever had more yards in a single-season at NC State.
He ranks 17th in the single-season record book with 15 touchdown passes.
Finley posted his third-straight 300-yard passing game in the Nov. 12 win at Syracuse, making him the first NC State QB since 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
UNSACKABLE
The "Band of Brothers" (aka the NC State offensive line) currently ranks 4th in the ACC and 25th in the FBS in sacks allowed - giving up just 17 this season.
It's been 10 years since a Wolfpack line gave up less than 20 sacks in a season (19 in 2006).
JONES HITS CENTURY MARK
Free safety Josh Jones has had 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 106 and is the first player since 2013 to cross the 100 tackle mark. His 8.8 stops per game is the sixth-best mark in the ACC. He ranks fifth in the league in solo tackles with 5.0 per game.
An honorable mention All-ACC selection, Jones has also picked off two passes this season, and caused and recovered a fumble. He tallied 15 tackles against Boston College and Miami - the most for a Pack player since 2012.
AT A LOSS
The Wolfpack ranks 28th in the FBS in tackles for loss with an average of 6.8 per game in 2016. That's the sixth-best mark in the ACC. Â
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Game 13: NC State (6-6, 3-5 ACC) vs. Vanderbilt (6-6, 3-5 SEC)
December 26, 2016 • 5 p.m. (ET) • ESPN2/ACC Network Extra
Shreveport, La. • Independence Stadium (48,975)
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BOWLED OVERDecember 26, 2016 • 5 p.m. (ET) • ESPN2/ACC Network Extra
Shreveport, La. • Independence Stadium (48,975)
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The Camping World Independence Bowl marks NC State's 30th postseason appearance and its 12th bowl game since 2000. The Wolfpack posts a 15-13-1 overall record in postseason bowls and is 7-4 in its last 11 outings.
This marks the Wolfpack's third consecutive bowl trip 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.
PACK POSTS TOP OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
Heading into the bowl game, the Wolfpack has posted some of the top offensive numbers in school history, including the fifth-best total yards per game mark.
Here's a look at where some of the Pack's 2016 offensive numbers rank in school history:
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| Category | Rank | Mark |
| Pass Completions | 8th | 244 |
| Pass Attempts | 12th | 407 |
| Passing Yards | 8th | 3,152 |
| Passing Yards/Game | 7th | 262.7 |
| Comp. Pct. | 7th | .601 |
| Yards/Play | t-4th | 5.8 |
| Total Yards | 7th | 5,041 |
| Yards/Game | 5th | 420.1 |
| First Downs | 8th | 263 |
| Fewest Turnovers | t-8th | 19 |
STOPPING THE RUN
NC State is the ACC leader in rushing defense this season, allowing just 104.7 yards per game. That is the best mark for a Wolfpack squad since 2004 - the year that State led the nation in total defense. Â
If the season ended today, that mark would rank as the fourth-best mark by a Wolfpack squad since 1953.Â
STOPPING THE RUN, Part 2Â Â Â
The Wolfpack rush defense mark of 104.7 yard allowed per game ranks fifth in the FBS heading into the Independence Bowl.
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).
HAPPY DAYES
Running back Matt Dayes has had an outstanding senior season- becoming the Wolfpack's first 1,000-yard rusher since 2002. A second-team All-ACC performer, Dayes ranks third in the ACC in rushing and seventh in all-purpose yards.
Dayes is only the eighth individual player in school history to reach the 1,000-yard goal and it marks only the 11th time an NC State runner has hit that magic mark.
The Ft. Lauderdale native has rushed for over 100 yards in eight different contests in 2016, the highest total for NC State since Ted Brown (the ACC's all-time leading rusher) had nine in 1977 and the second-highest mark in school history. An impressive 53% of Dayes' rushing yards have come after contact in 2016. He has accounted for 59% of the team's rushing yardage this season.
CHUBB IS BIGGEST LOSER
Junior defensive end Bradley Chubb has been a big loser for the Wolfpack in 2016. The junior has 21 tackles for loss this season, a mark which ranks second in school history. Only Mario Williams, the No. 1 pick in the 2006 NFL draft, had more TFLs in a single season for NC State than Chubb's 2016 total.
Chubb, a second-team All-ACC choice by the league coaches, leads the FBS in TFLs, while his 9.5 sacks is tied as the fifth-best mark in the ACC and ranks 23rd nationally.
For his career, Chubb has tallied 33 stops behind the line of scrimmage, a mark that is tied for 12th in school history. He had a season high four TFLs in the Nov. 12 over Syracuse.
His 9.5 sacks in 2016 is the fifth-best single season mark for a Pack player and his 15 career sacks ranks 12th.
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 the bowl game, 61% (149/244) 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 (49-461), WR Nyheim Hines ranks second with 37 catches and WR Stephen Louis is third with 33 grabs. In terms of reception yardage, Louis (657) leads the team by almost 200 yards.
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Almost half of the receptions by wide receivers in 2016 went to players who did not play in 2015 (72: Louis 33, Harmon 26 and Jakobi Meyers 13).
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 (3), Nyheim Hines (1), Bra'Lon Cherry (1), Jaylen Samuels (1) and Kelvin Harmon (1).
BAND OF BROTHERS
One of the biggest question marks for the Wolfpack heading into the 2016 season was the offensive line. That group had to rebuild after three three-year starters from 2015 completed their eligibility: All-American tackle Joe Thuney (who is starting for the New England Patriots), guard Alex Barr and center Quinton Schooley.
First-year o-line coach Dwayne Ledford, also was without returning starters Tony Adams (injury) and Will Richardson (suspension) during the spring and had only four linemen healthy during spring drills.
But that unit, named the "Band of Brothers" by Ledford, has solidified into something special and the offensive line currently ranks fourth in the ACC and 26th in the FBS in sacks allowed - giving up just 17 this season. Tony Adams was named a second-team All-ACC performer, while Joe Scelfo earned honorable mention honors.
It's been 10 years since a Wolfpack line gave up less than 20 sacks in a season (19 in 2006).
KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES
It's not an easy task at NC State. The Wolfpack has three Joneses listed in the starting lineup: LT Tyler Jones, DT Justin Jones and FS Josh Jones. Each member of that trio has started every game of the 2016 season.
Tyler Jones started games at left guard and right tackle in 2015, and started every game at the crucial left tackle spot in 2016. The redshirt sophomore now has 18 starts, 23 games played and 1,415 career snaps under his belt.
Justin Jones was a top reserve on the d-line last season, playing in all 13 games and starting three. He also played in 10 contests as a freshman. He now boasts 35 career games played, 15 starts and 1,062 snaps.
Josh Jones is the most experienced Jones on the squad. A two-year starter at strong safety, Josh moved to free safety for 2016, where his size and strength has been a huge benefit. He's started 31 career games, while playing in 37, and has seen action in 2,215 snaps from scrimmage, plus numerous special teams snaps. He is the Wolfpack's leading tackler in 2016.
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 458 receiving yards is the third-best mark ever by a Pack rookie.
Harmon leads the team in touchdown catches with five and almost a 1/5 of his 26 total catches have been for touchdowns.
Against Syracuse, Harmon became the fifth Wolfpack receiver to turn in a 100-yard game in 2016 - a mark that ranks second nationally.
Harmon has started four games in 2016, more than any other true or redshirt freshman. Â
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 two receivers with catches of 70+ yards in 2016.
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.
With the bowl game left to play, Finley has already posted the best passing yardage total ever by a Wolfpack sophomore and his 2,824 yards ranks ninth overall in school history. Only current NFL players Philip Rivers, Russell WIlson and Mike Glennon and 1998 starter Jamie Barnette ever had more yards in a single-season at NC State.
He ranks 17th in the single-season record book with 15 touchdown passes.
Finley posted his third-straight 300-yard passing game in the Nov. 12 win at Syracuse, making him the first NC State QB since 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
UNSACKABLE
The "Band of Brothers" (aka the NC State offensive line) currently ranks 4th in the ACC and 25th in the FBS in sacks allowed - giving up just 17 this season.
It's been 10 years since a Wolfpack line gave up less than 20 sacks in a season (19 in 2006).
JONES HITS CENTURY MARK
Free safety Josh Jones has had 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 106 and is the first player since 2013 to cross the 100 tackle mark. His 8.8 stops per game is the sixth-best mark in the ACC. He ranks fifth in the league in solo tackles with 5.0 per game.
An honorable mention All-ACC selection, Jones has also picked off two passes this season, and caused and recovered a fumble. He tallied 15 tackles against Boston College and Miami - the most for a Pack player since 2012.
AT A LOSS
The Wolfpack ranks 28th in the FBS in tackles for loss with an average of 6.8 per game in 2016. That's the sixth-best mark in the ACC. Â
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/ FootballCoach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 29)
Monday, September 29
FB Players Postgame Presser vs Virginia Tech
Saturday, September 27
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs Virginia Tech
Saturday, September 27
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 22)
Monday, September 22