The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/535299
104 ■ THE WOLFPACKER FOOTBALL PREVIEW 2015 Quick Guide The Names, Games And Numbers To Know Heading Into The 2015 Campaign BY RYAN TICE Stats To Watch 1. Rushing offense: Last season was a historic campaign on the ground for NCSU. The Wolfpack had never aver- aged more than five yards per carry until last year, when it posted an impressive clip of 5.2, while its 2,659 rushing yards marked the team's most since 1977. With the top three ground gainers back, the rushing attack expects even more this fall. Despite spreading the ball around, the Pack should threaten to have its first 1,000-yard individual rusher since T.A. McLendon in 2002, while the team could become the first in program history to total 3,000 yards on the ground. With how much the offense will rely on the ground game, both are definitely possible. 2. Turnover margin: In Jacoby Brissett's first year under center, the Pack did a great job of taking care of the ball. The quarterback threw just five interceptions, but could tighten up his handle to cut down on fumbles; other than that, it's about maintaining the status quo on offense. The team's six interceptions stands as the program's lowest pick total since 1967. Where the Pack could really make a jump from last year's plus-five turnover margin, which tied for 37th nationally, is if the defense can force a few more changes of possession. It notched just 10 interceptions and recovered 10 of the 21 fumbles it forced. However, the NCSU offense was very good at taking advantage of opponents' miscues last year — it scored 13 touchdowns and produced three field goals after the defense intercepted a pass, recovered a fumble or forced a missed field goal. 3. Sacks: NC State's defensive philosophy clearly changed last season and the team dialed up more pressure on op - ponents after a loss to Boston College in the team's seventh game of the year. In the first seven games, the unit posted 12 quarterback takedowns, and that included a soft non-conference schedule, where the Pack tallied just seven sacks. In the final six games of the year — including the contest against triple-option attack Georgia Tech — the squad logged 18 sacks, thanks to an increased number of blitzes. The defensive front has gone through turnover after the graduation of three key players, but the current group might be more dangerous rushing the passer, especially after the move of Kentavius Street from end to tackle. Seven of the quarterbacks on the 2015 schedule either split reps last year or are in their first year of starting at their current school, so bringing the heat might be the smart move. What They Are Saying About The Pack • "With Clemson and Florida State recovering from mass departures and in a transitional period, the Atlantic could have a Coastal feel in 2015. A 6-2 or even 5-3 conference record could be enough to reach the ACC title game, and anything short of five ACC wins should be considered a disappoint - ment at NC State. Split with Clemson and Florida State, and NC State has a chance to advance on a tiebreak." — ESPN.com's Jared Shanker, who picked the Wolfpack as his ACC dark horse in June • "Doeren's doing a great job so far. The three- game winning streak to end last season is a great momentum builder for year three. But NC State is still just 3-13 in ACC play over the last two seasons. The Pack still have to go to Virginia Tech as a Coastal crossover opponent in 2015. And their only wins over Atlantic opponents the last two years are against the Deacs and the Orange. Can NC State surprise a few teams in the Atlantic this fall? Surely. But I need to see more before I'm ready to anoint the Pack a division contender this soon." — ESPN.com's Matt Fortuna • "NC State is most likely going to be the fourth- best team in a three-team ACC Atlantic race, but the gamble of replacing decent-not-great Tom O'Brien with hopes of something bigger started to pay off last year. And with just a little bit of improve - ment in the trenches, maybe it starts to pay off significantly." — Bill Connelly, SBNation.com • "In order for NC State to improve again, it has to figure out how to win on the road in the divi- sion, where it's just 3-23 since the ACC expanded in 2005." — Lindy's Sports 2015 College Football Preview • "Brissett has the physical skill set needed for the NFL with a well-built frame and mobility to move the pocket and throw on the run. He has some Houdini to him with his scrambling to keep plays alive behind the line of scrimmage, also showing an astute field sense to know where the sticks are, lowering his pads to finish. … He needs to improve his 59.7-percent completion rate and show more consistent fundamentals, but Brissett is a natural fit in the Wolfpack's spread offense, which helps showcase his natural gifts." — CBSSports.com's NFL Draft analyst Dane Brugler Head coach Dave Doeren, whose team ended 2014 on a three-game win streak, will be shooting for his first winning re- cord in ACC play this fall. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN Fifth-year senior quarterback Jacoby Brissett did an excellent job taking care of the ball last year, throwing only five interceptions, to help the Pack post a plus-five turnover margin. PHOTO BY KEN MARTIN