GAME BREAKDOWN
KEY MATCHUP: N.C. State’s pass coverage vs. Marshall QB Isaiah Green. The Wolfpack has given up yards through the air and this is an area where they would like to see marked improvement. There’s experience in the secondary and the Wolfpack hopes that’s a benefit in the game with an opponent using a redshirt freshman quarterback. Green has been one of the most productive freshman quarterbacks in the country early in this season. Still, his experience level is low and that’s where N.C. State needs to take advantage. Green didn’t get a chance to test himself against a big-time program such as South Carolina when that game was called off last week.
DRAFT SLANT
–QB Ryan Finley stayed for his final year of eligibility so he’ll want to show that he can still make progress as his draft stock could soar this season if the offseason expectations are any indication. There would have been a showdown of sorts with West Virginia QB Will Grier on the other sideline until that game was nixed amid hurricane concerns. Finley has been solid through two games, but he threw a rare interception against Georgia State. Among quarterbacks from schools in Power 5 conferences, only two returnees had more than Finley’s 3,518 passing yards last year. He had a completion rate of better than 65 percent last year, so replicating such a rate won’t come easy.
ROSTER REPORT
–TE Cary Angeline is cleared to play for the Marshall game and should make an immediate impact. The redshirt sophomore was to sit out the first three games after his transfer from Southern California. But it was basically necessary for him to sit out 365 days since he previously suited up, and that time frame passed even though the game against West Virginia was called off.
–OL Redshirt freshman Grant Gibson has been moved from defensive tackle to the offensive line. This is an indication that the Wolfpack feels good about his depth on the defensive front.
–RB Ricky Person remains out of action with a leg injury. This puts dent into the Wolfpack’s depth in the backfield.
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