Richardson Sees Improvement
The running back is rushing for over 100 yards. The quarterback is not getting touched.
The team has not lost a conference game, including two wins over schools ranked ahead of them.
It is not a coincidence.
NC State has arguably one of the best offensive lines in the nation. Where they would rank nationally is conjecture. The fact they are leading the Wolfpack is not.
Will Richardson is the reigning ACC Offensive Lineman of the week. He has some good ideas why NC State’s offensive line is excelling.
“This is the closest group I have ever been with,” Richardson said. “[Offensive line] coach [Dwayne] Ledford preaches that we need to be a tight-knit group. That is why we call ourselves the ‘B.O.B’s’, the Band of Brothers. He just pushes us to be a really tight group. The front group of five is definitely the best group of guys I have been with since I have been here.”
There were injuries and suspensions early in the campaign but by the third game the gang was back together.
If the Furman contest was a test run then the engine is running smoothly now.
With Nyheim Hines leading the ACC in rushing everything in the offense seems in place. Richardson knows that the key for the offensive line unit is to receive accolades after the game and not be talked about during it.
“Coach preaches to us that it all starts with the run game,” Richardson said. “Running the ball opens up the passing game for us and for Finley to sit back and have games like that without getting hit is big for us. That is what we work on. Everybody knows that the only time people call our name is when we get a holding call or something. It just feels good to get some recognition.”
The success in the ACC has its origins away from the big lights.
“It just goes back to practice,” Richardson said. “I can really bring it all back to practice. With the offensive line, we really don’t have to run plays full speed. It is a lot more mental than physical. Yes, it is physical because we are going up against big guys too, but it is all about being able to play fast because you have prepared yourselves.”
NC State head coach Dave Doeren is impressed. The Wolfpack has been praised all offseason for its defensive front, which Doeren feels helps Ledford’s unit.
Doeren also thinks the offensive line’s play stands on its own and is effusive in his praise.
“I think all programs that play well on offensive line and defensive line are pretty good programs,” Doeren said. “Right now I think we see an O-Line that has matured under coach Ledford's leadership and an O-Line that has had a great opportunity to go against a great defensive line in camp, and in spring ball, and bowl prep.
“Now they've created a brotherhood that they have and a culture that they have. I hated to see [Garrett] Bradbury and [Terrone Prescod] go down in the game but what I loved to see was how mad it made those guys and how hard they wanted to play for them when they weren't in there. How excited Joe Sculthorpe was when he went in and we ran the sneak behind him because he knew that that was a big play in the game.
“It's just a great environment in that room right now and they're playing for each other. That's a tribute to Dwayne [Ledford].”
Now it is time for NC State to make a cross-division trip to Pittsburgh. The bonding that comes in preparing for the Panthers is a key to strengthening the unit even more.
“The biggest thing with that is starting with a good mindset at practice,” Richardson said. “Coach tells us we need to come out to practice and take this. We have got Pittsburgh this week and they are coming to knock us off. That is their biggest goal, it’s to beat us being that we are doing so well this year. Coach always tells us never get complacent. Our separation is in our preparation.”