The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1436409
of the year, Pennix had four receptions for 20 yards. Then in the seventh game, Pennix took a direct snap on a fake punt and ran for 40 yards. It seemed that moment sparked a change. The following five weeks, Pennix caught 12 passes for 216 yards and three touchdowns. Pennix was not the only newcomer to thrive at tight end, however. Christopher Toudle was signed to play receiver, but he redshirted in 2019 and saw action in eight contests in 2020 without catching a pass. Like Pennix, Toudle offered a nice com- bination of size (6-4, 240 pounds) and ath- leticism. Thus, he too moved to tight end in the offseason. Toudle's impact was quicker to spot. He caught a pair of passes in the season opener against South Florida for 22 yards and a touchdown. Toudle ended the year with 19 grabs for 190 yards and four scores. The combination of Pennix and Toudle gave the Wolfpack a solid 1-2 receiving punch at tight end that proved difficult for defenses to defend during the back half of the schedule. They combined for 35 catches for 426 yards and seven scores on the year. Their potential was really on display dur- ing a 28-14 win at Florida State, one of just two games the Seminoles lost over their final seven of the season. Pennix had three receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown, while Toudle added four catches for 42 yards and a score. Defensive Breakout Player Of The Year Given the quality depth at linebacker, second-year freshman Devon Betty seemed like an unlikely candidate to break out on the defense. But due to injuries to Moore and Wilson, Betty's productive play earned him a starting nod in the final four games of the season. The 6-1, 225-pounder from Carver Ranches, Fla., was an undersized defender who at times played defensive end for powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas. The high school went 15-0 his senior season and won a state title. He has gained 25 pounds since he arrived at NC State and is proving to be yet another hidden gem unearthed by the Wolfpack on the recruiting trail. Betty had 7.5 tackles for loss in eight ACC games this season, including a sack against Syracuse. Overall, he finished the year with 39 tackles while proving the cupboard is well-stocked for the future at the linebacker position. Best Interview Who could forget the images of a cel- ebratory Doeren after the double-overtime win over Clemson chatting with the crew of "The Huddle" on ACC Network? Smoking a cigar while holding a red solo cup with an unknown beverage in it, Doeren answered questions while standing outside the Murphy Center. "The Wolfpack is on fire right now," he said. "Raleigh is a great place. If you came to this place tonight and don't want to be a part of this program, we don't want you. This is an incredible place. We love this place, and we are excited about what's coming." ■ 28 ■ THE WOLFPACKER Head coach Dave Doeren was ecstatic after his team's double-overtime victory over Clemson Sept. 25. "The Wolfpack is on fire right now," he said. "Raleigh is a great place. If you came to this place tonight and don't want to be a part of this program, we don't want you." PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN STATS OF THE YEAR 0-451 That was the record of teams that trailed by two or more possessions with 2:30 left on the clock in games this season until Nov. 26 when UNC played at NC State. After the Pack's win that day, the record was 1-451. 9 wins Dave Doeren becomes the first head coach in school history to win at least nine games in three differ- ent seasons. 7-0 Was NC State's home record, the first undefeated campaign at Carter-Finley Stadium since the 1986 season.