MCLAMB: Gallaspy Comes Through Late

If the closing drive is an indicator, NC State’s running game in 2018 will be alright -- despite the what the numbers said on Saturday.

There has been speculation that the Wolfpack’s offense would drift towards a more air-based attack.  Indeed, the final stats after NC State’s 24-13 win over James Madison in the season opener would seem to suggest just that -- that success in the passing game is the only given.

The Pack finished with 392 total yards offense with 309 coming in the air as Ryan Finley completed 29-of-43 passes. Conversely, NC State had 83 yards rushing on 29 attempts (an average of 2.87 yards per carry).

Those numbers probably do not provide comfort to those who seek offensive balance for the Wolfpack.

Yet, a closer look shows that Reggie Gallaspy II, the running back that is going to get every opportunity to prove he is the man in 2018, did not disappoint. Gallaspy finished with 68 yards on 17 rushes and was an important factor on NC State’s final drive with the game still in doubt.

If those become the average for Gallaspy, projected over a 13-game season, he would finish with nearly 900 yards rushing.

James Madison drove the ball deep into NC State territory but elected to kick a field goal trailing by seven. The Wolfpack had only scored 17 points over 50-plus minutes of action, and there was no reason for the Dukes to believe that they wouldn't get the ball back with a chance to win.

Gallaspy had 25 yards on four carries, including a six-yard touchdown run, as the Wolfpack went on a scoring drive that took nearly six minutes from the clock and effectively killed off the game. If ever there was a time when NC State needed a plodding drive that ended in paydirt it was then.

Despite the yardage totals, NC State still retained some balance in play-calling with around 60% of its offensive plays be pass attempts. The hope for the Pack in the future will be that over 75% of its yardage will not have to come in the air. It is a valid concern.

The freshman duo of Ricky Person and Trent Pennix was ineffective in their college debuts, combining for seven yards on eight rushes. It was only the first game, but NC State will need a little more from whomever remains after the fourth game of the season. (depending on if-and-how the staff chooses to employ the four-games-and-still-redshirt rule with each player)

What the Wolfpack has in Gallaspy is a player that can batter the defense over the course of the game and be an effective tool late. He can also gain big yardage when teams do not load the box, which having Ryan Finley and a bevy of talented receivers should often prevent.

Gallaspy does not run nearly as fast as Nyheim Hines and is not as shifty as Matthew Dayes, but like the last two starting running backs at NC State, Gallaspy can be a guy who does the bulk of his damage late in contests.

There will be an inclination to compare Gallaspy to his predecessors, but he is his own man with his own skill sets. How he does it is only important as it relates to the context of the offense. What is most important for NC State is that he gets it done.

At some point, the opposition will tell NC State that it has to beat them on the ground. It will also likely come in cooler weather than the temperature on the field Saturday. Expect Gallaspy to get the most trust in those situations. If he is just his normal self, the Wolfpack will be fine.