By Jeff Gravley
GoPack.com
RALEIGH, N.C. – One of the most difficult games to play can be the one following a monumental win that is physically and mentally draining. Coming off a thrilling OT win over then-No. 9 Clemson last weekend, the Pack (4-1) protected its den and downed visiting Louisiana Tech 34-27 Saturday night.
“Getting back up from the win the previous week, that was a monumental task for the guys,” said Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren said. “More than people probably understand.”
It’s especially difficult if the next game is against an out-of-conference foe with an explosive offense. But NC State’s veteran squad refused to succumb to a letdown.
The Wolfpack scored the lone points of the first quarter, a sox-yard strike from Devin Leary to TE Christopher Toudle, who made a great effort to reach the pylon.
There was another Christopher who played a role in NC State’s first half points.
PK Christopher Dunn converted both field goal attempts in the second quarter for a 13-10 halftime lead. No one feels the pain of what happed last week like Dunn. But instead of sulking about missing a game-winning field goal, he went back to work. After Wednesday’s practice, Dunn didn’t head to the locker room with the rest of the team, he went to the stadium to get in some extra kicking.
After the win over Louisiana Tech, Doeren pointed to a nice night for the special teams. Dunn converted both field goal attempts and Trenton Gill was spectacular in kickoffs and punts. All but one of his kickoffs were boomed through the end zone for a touchback. He also averaged 51.2 yards on six punts.
On the end of the Pack’s special teams, WR Thayer Thomas had 42 yards on four punt returns and the kickoff return team fielded some pooch and squib kickoffs.
Leary completed 22 of 36 passes for 251 yards with touchdown tosses to Toutle and WR C.J. Riley. For the third straight game, Leary did not have an interception.
Running backs Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person, Jr. each found the end zone in the second half once with near identical stat lines. Person 15 carries for 90 yards, Knight took it 13 times for 85 yards. The run game was better in the second half with 130 of their 167 yards gained.
“We stayed on people,” Doeren said referring to their blocking. “We were falling off blocks, and we weren’t finishing or sustaining our blocks in the first half. We weren’t giving the running backs a chance. I think schematically, we didn’t do a whole lot differently.”
NC State knew it would face a really good offense from Louisiana Tech. Defensive coordinator Tony Gibson called the Bulldogs offense one of the the best they have seen so far. Doeren echoed that sentiment in the postgame. The Bulldogs were explosive and balanced with Charlotte native and former Oklahoma QB Austin Kendall at quarterback.
Just like last week, the Wolfpack defense was on the field trying to preserve a win with one final defensive stop.
With only five seconds remaining and 22 yards of real estate to the end zone, Tyler Baker-Williams, Jakeen Harris and Tanner Ingle stood on the goal line. Harris made a great break in front of the intended receiver to bring in the Pack’s second interception of the night. The 14-play drive was over and so was the game.
Exhale and enjoy a 34-27 win.
The 23rd ranked Wolfpack will take a 4-1 record into a much-needed bye week.
“It’s good to go into the bye on a winning streak,” linebacker Isaiah Moore said. “We’ve played five really hard games so far. Getting guys healed up, getting some rest. We know we’ve got conference play coming up, so it’s definitely a good time for it.”
After the bye, the Wolfpack will play four of the next five games on the road. First up, a trip to Boston College on October 16th.
