Meet the Wolfpack
Mark your calendars ladies and gentlemen because on September 6, 2014, the Monarchs will march to Raleigh, North Carolina, for the first road game of the season. Upon first glance of the schedule, N.C. State stands out as the marquee game since they will only be our second ACC opponent so far. As the Monarchs gears itself for next season, there will be a series of breakdowns for each opponent: a summary of their previous season, incoming players, and an analysis of their offensive, defensive squads, and personnel. This week's edition is the Wolfpack.
N.C. State finished the 2013 campaign at 3-9, but they had a relatively demanding schedule, facing the likes of National Champion Florida State, and 12th ranked Clemson, they also played three teams that defeated Old Dominion: East Carolina, Maryland, and North Carolina. They started the season 3-1, highlighted by a 23-21 gritty victory over the Richmond Spiders which took a 48 yard game winning field goal with 33 seconds left in the game. But their next contest resulted in a sloppy 28-13 loss to Wake Forest, which had two fourth-quarter turnovers and eight penalties for 74 yards, and that loss set the tone for the rest of the season.
First-year head coach Dave Doeren knew the importance of the 2014 recruiting class, one that will be called upon to fill areas of need and asked to step up and play immediately. According to Rivals.com, the 33-man class was ranked 27th in the nation. Doeren applied great emphasis on both lines and in the secondary, including seven defensive backs, six defensive linemen, and five offensive linemen. Two of their top 10 in-state recruits are on defense: defensive end Kentavius Street and safety Germaine Pratt. Both players are highly touted for their physical abilities but are still considered raw, according to Coach Doeren, who promises to mold them into elite collegiate football players.
The Wolfpack runs a spread offense that projects to be led by quarterback Jacoby Brissett, a transfer from Florida University, who sat out last season due to NCAA transfer rules. He was highly recruited coming out of high school and, after a few lost seasons at Florida, is considered to be the cornerstone of N.C. State's revival. He is a pure pocket passer with decent speed and is described by Coach Deoren as "a great leader." While having security at the quarterback position, there is uncertainty as to whom will emerge as the new starting receivers as last season's starters Quinton Payton and Rashard Smith have graduated. Only Bryan Underwood returns as the sure starter at the flanker spot. The offensive line remains the most significant concern, and this spring camp will determine the outlook of this unit. The running game has been in a bit of a rut recently, failing to produce a 1000 yard rusher. The offensive line aims to rally around starting running back Shadrach Thornton.
The defense runs a 4-3 scheme that will rely upon the leadership of their upper-class interior linemen to reverse the fortunes of last season's disappointment. Seniors T.Y. McGill and Thomas Teal will rotate with the younger fresher underclass linemen during games, and the two seniors will be critical assets to the young linemen's development. The back seven is a work in progress, and the linebackers no longer have inexperience as an excuse for lack of production. However, they have shown flashes of being a dependable unit. Consistency remains a top goal. The secondary, with seven incoming first-year students, is a unit that will take the entire spring camp and beyond to sort out. Last year's group was susceptible to giving up big pass plays, which provides Taylor Heinicke and company an opportunity to do what they do best. This defense allowed over 30 points in seven of twelve games last season, but with a year under their belts in the new system, this defense could show substantial improvement.
