Wolfpack needs corrections on defense
North Carolina State has lost back-to-back games but is favored in its homecoming game when Florida State visits on Saturday for an Atlantic Coast Conference matchup.
N.C. State has pretty much fallen out of the race for the Atlantic Division title, but there’s still quite a bit at stake.
The two losses to close October came on the road, but in much different fashions. There was the 41-7 blowout defeat to Clemson and then Saturday night’s gut-wrenching 51-41 setback to Syracuse.
“They all would have loved to get the comeback win, there’s no doubt,” coach Dave Doeren said of this team. “Proud of the way our guys battled. Had the ball and a chance to win the game and didn’t get it done.”
N.C. State (5-2, 2-2 ACC) has dropped out of the national rankings, but the bigger concern is preventing a further tumble.
Most of the scrutiny is bound to fall on the defense. The Wolfpack hasn’t managed to do as well since facing teams with more versatile offensive attacks.
“We have to get back to playing N.C. State defensive football,” linebacker Germaine Pratt said. “Everybody just has to do their job and compete. … The defense as a whole has to improve. We have to look ourselves in the mirror and compete.”
Because of injuries, the Wolfpack had to turn to some newcomers to key roles — such as freshman cornerback Teshaun Smith receiving extended playing time as a first-time starter in the Syracuse game.
The Wolfpack has given up a total of 92 points across two games. That’s more than the 84 points combined in the team’s first five games.
Yet quarterback Ryan Finley wants to give the defense some credit. He said the Wolfpack did its job so the offense got the ball back late in the Syracuse game.
“We had a drive to win it and we just didn’t make it happen,” Finley said. “I think we have to put it behind us.”
Doeren said he senses there’s no panic with his team. He said the make-up of the players means a continued slide can be avoided.
“But there’s nothing but leadership going on in that locker room,” Doeren said.
Florida State has suffered from consistent play this season and the Wolfpack will look to pounce on that. The defense will need to come around.
Aside from N.C. State’s 27-21 victory last year against the Seminoles, Florida State put up at least 33 points on the Wolfpack in the four matchups before that.