Hendu's View
Inside Pack Sports Publisher James Henderson reviews the film from NC State's win over VMI, key takeaways, the upcoming matchup against Virginia, and much more!
VMI Film Review
NOTE: As always, I run these notes essentially in order from first quarter to fourth quarter, so some may be redundant if an issue continues to occur.
Let's get to it!
* A sign of things to come for NC State’s offense.
Look at that coverage from VMI on 3rd and short. Three deep safeties... that’s stealing for Armstrong to KC.
* Could Allen have cut this up quicker?
Block has the defender pinned to the sideline; Allen probably cut that up inside of Gray’s block for a bigger gain.
* Pack’s first score: Delbert Mimms.
Good kick-out block by Trent Pennix... look at the aggression Keyon Lesane has trying to get to the crack block. An example of why he gets a lot of snaps (outside of his receiving ability).
* Bob Kennedy!
A lot to like here. First, look at Red Hibbler’s get-off at the snap; wow. Right tackle has no chance. Great awareness by Kennedy to pick off the deflection, and Shyheim Battle helps him score with a great block.
* Payton Wilson saves the day.
Cool play design by VMI to get the tight end open with the Jet motion... some confusion from Bishop Fitzgerald, but Wilson’s length and athleticism leads to the pass breakup.
* Demarcus Jones first-down drop.
Armstrong puts some heat on the ball, but I’m sure Jones will tell you he needs to make that catch.
* What a ball.
You won’t see a better pass than this, 30+ yards over a dropping linebacker and in between multiple defenders. Gray probably scores on this if he’s not contacted at the catch by a defender to stall his momentum.
* Bradley Rozner once again a target in the redzone.
Rozner runs a stutter and go, corner doesn’t really bite because he’s in off-coverage, but Rozner is still able to get on top of him and win a 6-foot-4. Great throw from Armstrong.
Also, look at the bottom of the screen where the motion allows Juice Vereen to get open for seven too if Armstrong wants to make that throw.
Here’s a closer look at Rozner’s route and the ball placement.
That’s too easy.
* Sean Brown gets the penalty for roughing the punter.
I’m just not a fan of trying to block a punt on 4th and short because even running into the kicker leads to a new set of downs for the opposition, but Doeren is coaching aggressive.
Here’s a closer look at the penalty.
Easy call.
* State likes involving Armstrong in the run game.
Cool play design with the arc blocker.
* New wrinkle... QB option to Trent Pennix.
Option into the boundary... putting stuff on tape for the opposition to prepare for.
* DC Collins 4th down grab.
Outstanding blocking up front as you can see Armstrong work through his reads. Wanted to point out the ball placement with the defender crashing down on Collins, Armstrong puts the ball low and away from the defender.
Helping his receiver maintain control through contact.
* Derrek Eason showing how you pull and take care of a cornerback.
Physical.
* Pack can’t convert on 3rd down... this is a great ball from Armstrong.
He has to throw that with pace; look how tight the window is and the linebacker’s right there. From this angle, you get a better look at the drop.
It’s almost as if Vereen picks the ball up late.
* About the only way you can slow down Davin Vann at this point.
Yes, that’s holding.
* VMI makes its first big play of the game.
Savion Jackson is dragging two linemen to the quarterback, nearly gets home. Rente Hinton appears to be playing catch technique but gets caught flat-footed, eyes likely in the backfield. Great throw from the VMI quarterback.
* Sean Brown.. Nearly makes the play.
Noah Potter almost gets home for the sack and Brown barely misses on the interception.
* Is this a poor throw from Armstrong or a miscommunication?
I think Armstrong sees zone and is thinking Lesane’s going to sit, but Lesane is running to grass.
* Another good scramble desicision by Armstrong.
2nd and 10 = a first down simply because the quarterback has mobility.
* Michael Allen almost scores.
Lyndon Cooper is getting downfield, and if he blocks just one of the defenders Allen could score. Good blocking at the line of scrimmage, including Belton.
* Julian Gray works back to Armstrong to pick up the 3rd down conversion.
Once again strong blocking up front... this is a five-man pressure and Armstrong has all day. Second time Gray nearly scores around the goalline (first was a Jet Sweep on Pack’s opening drive).
* Mimms, short-yardage specialist.
Similar play to earlier with Lesane motioning down to crack, and you can really build off this formation with play-action and QB run game as well. Like this formation.
* Gray’s first kickoff return that was called back.
Explosive run... here is the block that was called holding on Josh Crabtree.
I think if Crabtree just lets the man tackle him there we don’t get the flag.
* Another well-thrown ball from Armstrong to Porter Rooks on 3rd down.
Putting the ball in a spot where Rooks can make something happen after the catch.
* Rinse and repeat.
Rooks transitions well after the catch and is able to gain more yards after another 3rd down pickup.
* The only sack yielded by the offense.
Matt McCabe doesn’t handle the stunt well and the defender is able to get to Armstrong.
* Davin Vann nearly makes this play in the backfield... big run for VMI.
I think this is on Fordham... not covering the gap, but look at Sean Brown’s motor.
* Playing with State’s eyes again on short yardage.
Hinton again looking in the backfield... wonder if Boykin should have had more depth?
* Brandon Cisse has good coverage; just a little too handsy.
Wideout makes a great play so the PI is irrelevant.
* Brandon Cleveland has a chance to be special.
He and Jaylon Scott get the sack, but look at Cleveland’s burst at nose. He almost takes out Scott on the play.
* Again, Cisse just being too physical.
Ball is probably not catchable, but doesn’t need to be this physical. He’ll learn from it. I’m not a fan of that flag.
* VMI is trying to get this guy hurt dropping him back from under center.
Travali Price, Robert Kennedy, and Caden Fordham all meet at the quarterback.
* After working Cisse up the sideline all drive, VMI is able to beat him inside here against pressure for the touchdown.
Payton Wilson nearly gets home... good ball from the quarterback.
* Julian Gray.
Blocked up well, and another great run from Gray... good burst and explosion.
* Robert Kennedy continues his big day.
3rd down sack with pressure from the nickel spot.
* KC for a big gain on the over route.
Again, working through progressions and another accurate ball from Armstrong. KC is more physical than expected
* Maybe the best run of the season for State.
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Raphael hurdles multiple defenders, but it’s his ability to stay inbounds which stands out.
* Third time we’ve seen State use this formation around the goalline and score all three times.
Instead of Lesane it’s Bradley Rozner motioning in and cracking a defender, and his block was a big one on the play.
* Jalen Coit’s final punt return of the day.
Let’s end it with this one. For as upset as folks were with Coit after game one, they should be thrilled with where he’s at right now as a return man.
Three Key Takeaways
Davin Vann Has Taken His Game To Another Level
Davin Vann was another wise choice for the No. 1 by Doeren, as it feels like Vann is on his way to a big year. In this game he consistently popped, totaling four more pressures in limited opportunities. Love how he’s not just a pass-rusher, as he’s impactful against the run as well.
Vann is currently second among all defensive linemen and third overall in sacks in the ACC with three, and he’s top five in overall pressures for all defenders.
Not bad for a 3-3-5 edge defender.
Laying The Foundation For Offensive Success
It really felt like watching it back State was working to put plays on tape, which is good. Obviously it’s more for the opposition to prepare for, but it gives State additional play-calling versatility and gives a foundation of plays that you can build off of. For instance, we saw variations of this goalline run multiple times against VMI.
Not only is it tough to defend, look at the play-action options you can add to it moving forward, as well as a read-element with Armstrong. Scheming up plays. I think we’re going to start seeing more of it moving forward.
Young Corners Struggle
It can’t all be positive, right?
Well, I thought Rente Hinton and Brandon Cisse, both playing at corner for Aydan White, had issues at times in coverage. That’s concerning heading into this weekend against Virginia, who heavily targets their outside wide receivers. Both are young players with upside, but improvements need to be made.
VIRGINIA Up Next
ACC play begins this week for NC State, and it’s Friday night on the road at Virginia.
The Pack’s a solid favorite, as they should be, but these in-week night games can get tricky. Virginia is likely debating what to do at the quarterback position. Starter Tony Muskett was injured vs. Tennessee and missed the last two games, although I think he likely could have played against Maryland if true freshman Anthony Cantelera hadn’t played so well the week before against James Madison. He started strong in College Park as well, but fell apart late with multiple turnovers and bad decisions, which is often what you expect to see from a true freshman in his first road start.
I suspect they’ll go with Muskett against State, and I’m looking for Tony Gibson to bring the heat.
Offensively, this game will be about Brennan Armstrong. Can he take care of business at a familiar place? Armstrong is a competitor. I think you’ll see him do everything he can to leave Charlottesville with a win.