Ground Game Takes Off

It was not the old Oklahoma wishbone and Furman is not a Power-5 school but five rushing touchdowns is a start.

NC State reached paydirt via the ground game early and often Saturday. The Wolfpack trounced the Paladins 49-16 in the final tuneup before conference play begins.

Nyheim Hines came up just short of collecting his first 100-yard rushing game in his career, finishing with 92 yards on 11 carries -- including a 28-yard touchdown run that put his dazzling speed on display.

Overall the Wolfpack gained 257 yards on the ground.

"I really like the way the guys played today," NC State head coach Dave Doeren said. "We got our ground game going. [There are] a lot of different players involved in that, whether it is the O-Line, tight ends."

Will Richardson returned from suspension and Terrone Prescod also started on the line for the Wolfpack.

"Obviously, the offensive staff did a nice job working some different things and it’s good to have our starting-five offensive line back together," Doeren said. "I like the way we attacked."

If there is a silver lining to the issues the offensive line faced in the first two games it might be in the added depth.

Joe Sculthorpe and Justin Witt both received playing time that they likely would not have been given had the offensive line was intact coming out of the gate.

The ease with which NC State dispatched Furman also helped the Wolfpack as 10 players were given reps on the offensive line in the rout.

"For the first game of the season, it felt good to be back out there with the team and just being with the team," Richardson said. "Nerves came in the beginning but after the first drive everything was normal for me again.

"Joe, Witt, they both did a great job of working. They came in last year -- you always can tell when a freshman is really dedicated to what they are doing -- and they were trying to get on the field. Joe Sculthorpe and Witt are really good learners."

Richardson is trying to pass along the knowledge as it was done for him when he first arrived at NC State.

"When I came in I had Rob Crisp here teaching me the nature of playing offensive line,” Richardson said. “I just want to get on Witt as far as what he has to do, keeping his head focused and picking up blitzes."

After the early season concerns with the running game and the shuffling around on the offensive line, NC State will hope that running backs reaching the end zone becomes a habit for the remainder of the season.

"It is always a big focus for the offensive line to set your pads in the running game," Richardson said. "Coach Ledford preaches how we have got to be the most dominant group on the team. We have got to take charge of the offense."