courtesy GoPack.com
ALEIGH, N.C. – All week long there was a concerted effort to get the train back on the track and run the football, no matter who the opponent was. A week after 32 yards rushing, NC State finished with 218 yards on the ground against Furman in the 45-7 win at a packed Carter-Finley-Stadium.
They worked on it in practice and even added a double dose of Zonovan Knight and Ricky Person, Jr. in the backfield together. They showed that formation a few times in Saturday’s win. Knight had 104 yards on 11 carries with a touchdown while Person, Jr carried 8 times for 41 yards and a score.
On the Wolfpack’s second possession of the game, five of the eight plays were handoffs to Knight. He gained 56 yards, including a 42-yard carry into the red zone and capped the drive with the game’s first score.
With the run game clicking early, it was time for QB Devin Leary to go to work in the air. He picked apart the Paladins in the first half connecting on 23 of 29 passes, three touchdowns, and a rushing score.
On his touchdown run, Leary got a great seal block by Knight to clear the path.
“Once we got to our rhythm and were able to execute on plays, it’s just a constant flow of executing and making the right plays, right blocks,” Leary explained. “When you get out of that rhythm, it’s difficult.”
One play to remember was a 42-yard connection from Leary to freshman WR Anthony Smith down the sideline. The young wideout made a great adjustment on the ball to make the catch and then dove into the end zone. It’s a prime example of a receiver helping out his quarterback.
“I thought they played for each other tonight on offense,” head coach Dave Doeren said. “The rhythm was better. Coach Beck and the staff on offense did a nice job. I think the players really learned a lot from last week’s game, and there were a lot more plays where you could see 11 guys doing what they were supposed to do.”
The Wolfpack did what they were supposed to do against Furman resulting in the win. It was just the response the players and staff were looking for.
“The main message was refocusing on the task at hand, playing the brand of football that we play,” said nickel Tyler Baker-Williams. He had an interception in the third quarter on a ball that was tipped by LB Isaiah Moore.
“It’s good to play well,” Doeren said. “It’s good to get a bunch of guys in the game. It’s good to get a rhythm. It’s good to fix things that we needed to fix. There’s still more.”
Next week, a bigger, stronger and faster team from South Carolina comes to Carter-Finley Stadium for a much-anticipated division matchup with Clemson.
Podcasts/Media
-
Podcast
/ 20 hours agoThe Desmond Johnson Show – Tues Jan 21st 2025
Hosted by Desmond Johnson Co Host: NC Sports Network’s David Glenn Today on the...
-
Podcast
/ 7 days agoPODCAST: Winning The Division – Ep 22 – Weds Jan 15th 2025
Co Hosts Ryan Smith and Ben Troupe welcome WCNC Sports Director Nick Carboni to...
By Ryan Smith -
Podcast
/ 1 week agoBleav in Panthers – The One With The Divisional Picks – Tues Jan 14th 2025
Hosted by Panthers all time leading rusher Jonathan Stewart and Tobacco Road Sports Radio’s...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoWinning The Division – Ep 21 – Weds Jan 8th 2025
Co Hosts Ryan Smith and Ben Troupe recap week 18 of the NFL season,...
By Ryan Smith
ACC Football
-
ACC Football
/ 2 days agoJim Phillips suggests major change to College Football Playoff, conference championship formats
Published by On3 Year One of the 12-team College Football Playoff is nearly over...
-
ACC Football
/ 3 days agoAn update on NC State’s recruitment of elite legacy QB Gunner Rivers
Published by On3 Gunner Rivers will be one of the most coveted recruits in...
-
ACC Football
/ 5 days agoCade Klubnik explains decision to return to Clemson in 2025: ‘I’m still hungry for what I know this program has’
Published by On3 After Clemson’s season ended in the College Football Playoff, Cade Klubnik...
-
ACC Football
/ 1 week agoTransfer Portal: North Carolina kicker Noah Burnette picks Notre Dame
Published by On3 For a fourth year in a row, Notre Dame is going...
NFL/Carolina Panthers
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoWinning The Division – Ep 21 – Weds Jan 8th 2025
Co Hosts Ryan Smith and Ben Troupe recap week 18 of the NFL season,...
By Ryan Smith -
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoBleav in Panthers – The One With The End – Tues Jan 7th 2025
Hosted by Desmond Johnson and Jonathan Stewart The guys review the Panthers 44-38 overtime...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoTop Offensive Draft Prospects for Carolina Panthers In 2025 NFL Draft
The Carolina Panthers are getting ready for the 2025 NFL Draft, after finishing the...
-
NFL
/ 2 weeks agoJadeveon Clowney trolls Atlanta Falcons fans after Week 18 win: ‘See y’all in Cabo’
Published by On3 It’s the end of the regular season in the NFL and...