The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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106 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL 2014 Stats To Watch 1. Red zone results: There weren't many bright spots for NCSU in 2013. Several areas need improvements for the fall, but perhaps none more so than NC State's performance in the red zone — on both sides of the ball. Opponents reached the red zone on 40 occasions and scored 38 times, including 32 touchdowns. The Wolfpack de- fense ranked second to last nationally by allowing opponents to score on 95 percent of their red zone possessions, and foes found paydirt 80 percent of the time. Opponents scored touchdowns 20 of 22 times after obtaining first-and-goal. The results weren't much prettier on the other side of the ball. NC State scored on 30 of its 39 red zone possessions, but found the end zone just 17 times (44 percent). Only eight teams in the land scored fewer red zone touchdowns than NCSU. The hope is that improved quarterback play turns around the Pack's red zone fortunes. 2. Rushing defense: The Pack's pass defense was not great last year, but it should be better this fall with all but one major contributor back — and it was not quite as porous as the ground defense in 2013. It will be interesting to see if NC State can fare better against the rush after it ranked 81st nationally with an average of 180.2 yards allowed per game in 2013. The Wolfpack switched to a 4-2-5 base defense this spring and must replace each of last year's top three tacklers. The good news is the defensive line is pretty loaded along the interior, provided they can stay healthy. If they find a capable linebacker to pair with Brandon Pittman, they could be surprisingly stout up the middle. A stronger ground defense will also help in the red zone; opponents scored 21 of their 32 touchdowns from inside the 20 via the ground. 3. First-quarter point differential: Quite frankly, it is incredible that NC State was in as many games during the fourth quarter as they were last year considering the holes they consistently dug for themselves early. The opening frame was easily NC State's worst in 2013, with opponents more than doubling up the Pack on the scoreboard. The 48 points scored in the first 15 minutes of contests was the lowest of any quarter for State, while the 107 points allowed was tied with the fourth quarter for the worst. The coaches have said several times they want the Wolfpack to have a strong ground presence on offense, and that isn't normally the formula for successful comebacks, so making sure they don't fall so far behind this fall will be vital. Best Opposing Players • QB Jameis Winston, Florida State — Four of the five best players on the schedule could very well be from FSU, but Winston is the headliner. The 2013 Heisman Trophy winner led his squad to the national title as a redshirt freshman and should be even better this year. He'll be working behind one of the best lines in the country and throwing to one of the best collections of playmakers in the land. • DE Vic Beasley, Clemson — Beasley is the lone non-FSU player who would be guaranteed to make the top five if we were counting down the five best players on the slate, regardless of school. He was at least a semifinalist for the Hendricks, Lombardi and Bednarik awards last year, and was named a first-team All-American by nearly every outlet after he logged 23 tackles for loss and 13 sacks. • WR DeVante Parker, Louisville — The Cardinals have a loaded stable of ball carriers, but the 6-3 senior will be the go-to weapon for new quarterback Will Gardner. He paced his squad with 885 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns last year, and he has 1,920 receiving yards with 28 touchdowns in his career. • S Durrell Eskridge, Syracuse — The redshirt junior was named third-team All-ACC last year after he led the Orange in tackles (78) and interceptions (four) in his first campaign as a full-time starter. ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. ranks him as the No. 5 underclassman safety in the country. • WR Quinshad Davis, North Carolina — He was named an honorable mention Freshman All-American in 2012 and built on that by earning honorable mention All-ACC honors last fall. He hauled in 10 touchdowns in 2013 and has 108 career receptions. Returning Leaders For NC State Passing: Garrett Leatham (146 yards, 1 TD) Rushing: Shadrach Thornton (768 yards, 4 TD) Receiving: Bryan Underwood (382 yards, 1 TD) Tackles: Brandon Pittman (62) Sacks: Art Norman (4.5) Interceptions: Hakim Jones and Jack Tocho (2) Three Key Games • At South Florida, Sept. 13 — There are six wins to be had on NC State's schedule despite last year's results, but it may be difficult getting to bowl eligibility without having this one. South Florida went 2-10 in its debut campaign under Willie Taggart last year and is looking for its first winning season since 2010. USF's offense was abysmal last year — it ranked no higher than 108th nationally in any of the four major categories and totaled just 11 touchdowns — while its defense, which was solid, returns just three starters. It's hard to bank on a team, especially one as young as NC State, to go on the road and get a win early, but this is the Pack's best chance for its first road win since a 20-18 triumph at Maryland in October 2012. • Vs. Boston College, Oct. 11 — This one is the lone break in NC State's most difficult stretch of the 2014 campaign. After hosting Florida State Sept. 27 and traveling to Clemson a week later, the Pack returns home to welcome Boston College to Carter-Finley Stadium. NC State travels to Louisville the following week, which is followed by a bye week, so this might be the one that keeps the Pack from a disheartening 0-4 stretch. The Eagles finished last year 7-6, but must re - place nearly every player of consequence, includ- ing workhorse running back Andre Williams. BC didn't have a rebuilding year under first-year head coach Steve Addazio last fall, but that may come in 2014. This one could also feature former Florida quarterbacks Jacoby Brissett of NC State and Tyler Murphy of Boston College going head to head, if the latter is able to hold off exciting true freshman Darius Wade. • At North Carolina, Nov. 29 — The two rivals have not squared off in the final week of the regular season since 2009, when a 5-7 NCSU squad topped an 8-5 North Carolina team, 28-27. Sixth- year safety Jarvis Byrd is the only player remaining from that game — and that was actually when he suffered his first of three torn ACLs. Byrd is obviously a different player now, and nei - ther team resembles its 2009 version. Both squads are led by different coaches, and have changed philosophies and schemes — but there's no denying the importance of this one. UNC has won the last two in the series and NCSU wants to prevent the Tar Heels from running up a streak like the Wolf- pack held from 2007-11. Even if NC State misses a bowl, there will always be satisfaction from going into the offseason with a win over UNC, much like the 2009 campaign that served as the starting point for the following season, which was the Pack's most successful under Tom O'Brien. Sophomore Matt Dayes is part of a running back trio that produced nearly 1,500 yards from scrimmage last season and could be poised for an even more productive campaign in 2014. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN 104,106.Quick Guide to FB Season.indd 106 6/27/14 11:47 AM