Written By: Erik Slaby
(Orlando, FL) This Saturday, 12:00 p.m. ET, the North Carolina State University Wolfpack (4-3), coming off a blowout loss on the road to their inter-conference opponent, University of Louisville Cardinals, return home to Carter-Finley Stadium, to take on inter-conference opponent, Boston College (3-4), led by fourth year head coach Steve Addazio.
Last week, NC State suffered a massive loss to the nationally ranked 5th Louisville Cardinals, 54-13. This loss was a week after NC State had lost a close game in overtime to nationally ranked 3rd Clemson, 24-17. With this loss to Louisville, any moral victory, or positivity created from the close loss to Clemson, may have disappeared. Heading into the Louisville game, it was thought that NC State could potentially make it a tough game. Early on for NC State, it was clear that it may be a rough day for them.
On the first play of the game, NC State quarterback Ryan Finley was intercepted by Louisville defensive back Trumaine Washington and he returned the ball 13 yards to the NC State 29 yard line to set Louisville up in great field position to score. On the next seven offensive series in the first half for NC State, they turned the ball over twice on interceptions and they were forced to punt five times. One of those punts was also blocked. By halftime, Louisville was up 44-0. Finley had completed 5 of 10 passes for 44 yards and two interceptions. NC State head coach Dave Doeren spoke after the game about the performance of the team.
“They played a really good game, and we didn’t,” Doeren said. "We (the team) weren't ready to play today and that's on me. It was not our best against their best. When you turn the ball over, you're going to look bad. When you give up long plays, you are not going to look good. ... That wasn't the team we played with seven days ago (against Clemson)."
Offensively, NC State was able to score two touchdowns in the second half but it was not enough. Finley led NC State completing 16 of 33 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. NC State struggled to run the ball and by the end of the game, as a team, they had rushed for only 14 yards.
NC State will need to play a much better game than they did last week. Boston College is ranked 7th overall in the country in total defense. They are an experienced defense that plays well. The only games they have struggled this year were against Clemson and Virginia Tech, two high-powered offenses. If NC State doesn’t rebound offensively and play better, it will be a very difficult game for them.
Against Boston College, NC State will need to keep an eye out for defensive lineman Harold Landry who leads the team in sacks with eight. They will also have to watch out for linebacker Ty Schwab who leads the team in tackles with 42. Linebacker Matt Milano will also be a player to follow as he is 3rd on the team in tackles with 36, and tied for second in sacks with four.
Boston College is coming off of a close 28-20 loss to Syracuse. That loss now gives Boston College a 0-4 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season and their 12 straight ACC loss, dating back to last season. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey was able to move the ball up and down the field but the Boston College defense was able to keep the game close. Dungey led the way for Syracuse, completing 32 of 38 passes for 434 yards, three touchdown and one interception. The defense also held the Syracuse to 98 yards rushing.
Offensively, Boston College was led by quarterback Patrick Towles who had 10 carries for 104 yards and one touchdown. He struggled passing the ball though as he only completed four of 14 passes for 14 yards and one interception. He injured his hamstring during the game so it will be interesting to see if he starts against NC State this week, or if backup quarterback Darius Wade will start.
Against the NC State defense, Boston College will need to keep an eye out for defensive back Josh Jones as he leads the team in tackles with 63. He also leads the team in pass breakups with six. Boston College will also have to watch out for defensive lineman Bradley Chubb who leads the team in sacks with six. NC State’s defense may not be as good as Boston College’s defense is but they are looking to rebound from the loss to Louisville. As shown before in the Clemson game earlier this year, they have the ability to play well and keep games close to give their offense a chance.
In the series between these two teams, Boston College leads it all-time 8-5. However, last year when they played each other, NC State won that game. This game represents a potential turning point for both teams. If NC State wins this game, they move one step closer to being bowl eligible and remove themselves from the two game losing streak they’ve been in. If Boston College wins, it will be a big win for the program because they’ve lost 12 straight conference, they would also end their two game losing streak this season and bring their record to 4-4.
The key to this game will be the performance of both offenses. Both teams have played fairly well defensively but they will need play well offensively. NC State has the stronger offense so if they’re able to rebound from last week, they will likely win this game. It’s easier said than done against this Boston College defense though. In any case, this should be a tough, close game this Saturday in Raleigh.
Last week, NC State suffered a massive loss to the nationally ranked 5th Louisville Cardinals, 54-13. This loss was a week after NC State had lost a close game in overtime to nationally ranked 3rd Clemson, 24-17. With this loss to Louisville, any moral victory, or positivity created from the close loss to Clemson, may have disappeared. Heading into the Louisville game, it was thought that NC State could potentially make it a tough game. Early on for NC State, it was clear that it may be a rough day for them.
On the first play of the game, NC State quarterback Ryan Finley was intercepted by Louisville defensive back Trumaine Washington and he returned the ball 13 yards to the NC State 29 yard line to set Louisville up in great field position to score. On the next seven offensive series in the first half for NC State, they turned the ball over twice on interceptions and they were forced to punt five times. One of those punts was also blocked. By halftime, Louisville was up 44-0. Finley had completed 5 of 10 passes for 44 yards and two interceptions. NC State head coach Dave Doeren spoke after the game about the performance of the team.
“They played a really good game, and we didn’t,” Doeren said. "We (the team) weren't ready to play today and that's on me. It was not our best against their best. When you turn the ball over, you're going to look bad. When you give up long plays, you are not going to look good. ... That wasn't the team we played with seven days ago (against Clemson)."
Offensively, NC State was able to score two touchdowns in the second half but it was not enough. Finley led NC State completing 16 of 33 passes for 236 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. NC State struggled to run the ball and by the end of the game, as a team, they had rushed for only 14 yards.
NC State will need to play a much better game than they did last week. Boston College is ranked 7th overall in the country in total defense. They are an experienced defense that plays well. The only games they have struggled this year were against Clemson and Virginia Tech, two high-powered offenses. If NC State doesn’t rebound offensively and play better, it will be a very difficult game for them.
Against Boston College, NC State will need to keep an eye out for defensive lineman Harold Landry who leads the team in sacks with eight. They will also have to watch out for linebacker Ty Schwab who leads the team in tackles with 42. Linebacker Matt Milano will also be a player to follow as he is 3rd on the team in tackles with 36, and tied for second in sacks with four.
Boston College is coming off of a close 28-20 loss to Syracuse. That loss now gives Boston College a 0-4 record in the Atlantic Coast Conference this season and their 12 straight ACC loss, dating back to last season. Syracuse quarterback Eric Dungey was able to move the ball up and down the field but the Boston College defense was able to keep the game close. Dungey led the way for Syracuse, completing 32 of 38 passes for 434 yards, three touchdown and one interception. The defense also held the Syracuse to 98 yards rushing.
Offensively, Boston College was led by quarterback Patrick Towles who had 10 carries for 104 yards and one touchdown. He struggled passing the ball though as he only completed four of 14 passes for 14 yards and one interception. He injured his hamstring during the game so it will be interesting to see if he starts against NC State this week, or if backup quarterback Darius Wade will start.
Against the NC State defense, Boston College will need to keep an eye out for defensive back Josh Jones as he leads the team in tackles with 63. He also leads the team in pass breakups with six. Boston College will also have to watch out for defensive lineman Bradley Chubb who leads the team in sacks with six. NC State’s defense may not be as good as Boston College’s defense is but they are looking to rebound from the loss to Louisville. As shown before in the Clemson game earlier this year, they have the ability to play well and keep games close to give their offense a chance.
In the series between these two teams, Boston College leads it all-time 8-5. However, last year when they played each other, NC State won that game. This game represents a potential turning point for both teams. If NC State wins this game, they move one step closer to being bowl eligible and remove themselves from the two game losing streak they’ve been in. If Boston College wins, it will be a big win for the program because they’ve lost 12 straight conference, they would also end their two game losing streak this season and bring their record to 4-4.
The key to this game will be the performance of both offenses. Both teams have played fairly well defensively but they will need play well offensively. NC State has the stronger offense so if they’re able to rebound from last week, they will likely win this game. It’s easier said than done against this Boston College defense though. In any case, this should be a tough, close game this Saturday in Raleigh.