NC State Football
MCLAMB: NC State Has Weapons And Hope
As Germaine Pratt hauled in the tipped pass, ran for the end zone and sealed a big win for NC State a sense of relief, euphoria and accomplishment engulfed Carter-Finley Stadium.
There was no need for nail-biting or worries that things would somehow fall apart.
The better team won.
No. 24 NC State struck fast, led for almost the entire game, and made the necessary plays late to pick up a huge, 39-25 win over No. 17 Louisville. The Wolfpack improves to 5-1 on the season and, most importantly, 3-0 in the ACC.
Every time Louisville seemed poised to ruin NC State’s day the Wolfpack responded. The heroes were everywhere.
On offense, Nyheim Hines once again finished with over 100 yards rushing. Through six games the junior from nearby Garner has 516 yards on the ground and the possibility of him finishing the regular season with 1,000 yards is real.
NC State has never had three players tally 100 yards receiving in the same game but the Wolfpack came as close as it possibly could Thursday. Jaylen Samuels (seven catches for 104 yards) and Kelvin Harmon (six receptions for 133 yards) were nearly joined in by Stephen Louis (three catches for 99 yards) as the Wolfpack moved up and down the field all evening.
And then there is Ryan Finley.
Football is a team sport, but the redshirt junior was going up against the reigning Heisman Award winner and he did more just hold his own. Finley completed 20-for-31 passes (64.5%) for 367 yards and a touchdown.
Once again, he did not throw an interception.
The NC State defense received stellar play from its front while its linebackers and safety -- in this case Jarius Morehead with 11 tackles -- seldom let the big play happen behind them.
The Wolfpack is finding a way.
The season is only at its halfway point but the stars are aligning. The three-headed monster in the Atlantic Division has nearly been slain, although the lone remaining team projected to finish above the Wolfpack just happens to be the defending national champions in the Clemson Tigers.
Florida State would need NC State to lose twice to leapfrog the Pack in the standings. With two losses in three conference contests the odds of Louisville reaching the ACC Championship Game are basically hopeless.
The inclination to look ahead is tantalizing for most who follow NC State but the team has actually been bracing itself for this moment by taking an approach that looks no further ahead than the moment. It is now second nature for the Wolfpack to not get too excited or flustered.
Dave Doeren extended his ‘24-hour rule’ to 48 hours to accommodate his team playing on Thursday. His team had two extra days to prepare for the game at Pittsburgh on October 14th. Then there is a bye week before the next game at Notre Dame, which for all of its allure will still have no impact at all in the ACC standings.
Then there is the Clemson game.
It is alright for NC State to smile. As for Wolfpack Nation, the joy of Thursday will turn into excitement over what could be on the horizon.
Hope is a wonderful thing. NC State could be headed for a special season.
There was no need for nail-biting or worries that things would somehow fall apart.
The better team won.
No. 24 NC State struck fast, led for almost the entire game, and made the necessary plays late to pick up a huge, 39-25 win over No. 17 Louisville. The Wolfpack improves to 5-1 on the season and, most importantly, 3-0 in the ACC.
Every time Louisville seemed poised to ruin NC State’s day the Wolfpack responded. The heroes were everywhere.
On offense, Nyheim Hines once again finished with over 100 yards rushing. Through six games the junior from nearby Garner has 516 yards on the ground and the possibility of him finishing the regular season with 1,000 yards is real.
NC State has never had three players tally 100 yards receiving in the same game but the Wolfpack came as close as it possibly could Thursday. Jaylen Samuels (seven catches for 104 yards) and Kelvin Harmon (six receptions for 133 yards) were nearly joined in by Stephen Louis (three catches for 99 yards) as the Wolfpack moved up and down the field all evening.
And then there is Ryan Finley.
Football is a team sport, but the redshirt junior was going up against the reigning Heisman Award winner and he did more just hold his own. Finley completed 20-for-31 passes (64.5%) for 367 yards and a touchdown.
Once again, he did not throw an interception.
The NC State defense received stellar play from its front while its linebackers and safety -- in this case Jarius Morehead with 11 tackles -- seldom let the big play happen behind them.
The Wolfpack is finding a way.
The season is only at its halfway point but the stars are aligning. The three-headed monster in the Atlantic Division has nearly been slain, although the lone remaining team projected to finish above the Wolfpack just happens to be the defending national champions in the Clemson Tigers.
Florida State would need NC State to lose twice to leapfrog the Pack in the standings. With two losses in three conference contests the odds of Louisville reaching the ACC Championship Game are basically hopeless.
The inclination to look ahead is tantalizing for most who follow NC State but the team has actually been bracing itself for this moment by taking an approach that looks no further ahead than the moment. It is now second nature for the Wolfpack to not get too excited or flustered.
Dave Doeren extended his ‘24-hour rule’ to 48 hours to accommodate his team playing on Thursday. His team had two extra days to prepare for the game at Pittsburgh on October 14th. Then there is a bye week before the next game at Notre Dame, which for all of its allure will still have no impact at all in the ACC standings.
Then there is the Clemson game.
It is alright for NC State to smile. As for Wolfpack Nation, the joy of Thursday will turn into excitement over what could be on the horizon.
Hope is a wonderful thing. NC State could be headed for a special season.
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