State-Richmond 9/7 (I know, late)

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

Busy this past week, sorry for the late aspect:

Felt like State thought Richmond would just roll over (seems to be a bad habit, maybe it's human nature, I don't know). A win is a win, and it's always better to win rather than lose, but for crying out loud - Richmond sure wasn't playing half speed.

Pete Thomas has GOT to quit locking on to receivers - jeez, that interception late in the 4th quarter was NOT a wise choice.

VERY impressed with Niklas Sade so far this year, don't remember when State's had a kicker that could put kickoff after kickoff in the end zone for touchbacks, and his placekicking has (so far) been perfect.

Defense needs to be more consistent, would like to see O-line improvement, backs and receivers look good to me so far, I am very happy and impressed with Matt Dayes and (pardon for forgetting this kid's whole name) but #1, freshman receiver Valdes-Scantling (spelling?) looks like he's gonna be a good one for us.

P.S. How in the bloody hell was Brandon Mitchell able to jump up and down like a freakin' pogo stick on the sideline all night waving a towel just a week after surgery for a broken foot? What the hell is up kid, are you hurt or not?

[Tizu]

Wasn't able to watch this but I heard about it...from what I understand State really struggled.

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

You heard correct, Tiz. Was there, loved the Military Appreciation Day (LOVED hearing and seeing the Armed Forces Dragster - that thing is STOOPID loud!), got a sweet hat (to me, anyway). Feel like we got a young team finding their way, and that's alright, but it needs to pick up - a bunch. That damned orange freight train will be pulling in right on time come Thursday night, Pack better have their chit together.

[cvholt87]

I initially thought it was Brandon Mitchell jumping up and down on the sidelines as well but it was actually Jacoby Brissett. From everything I have heard he is a GREAT leader and even gave the halftime speech to the team. He was doing what he could to get everyone on the sideline involved and jumping around.

As for the game...it was rather disheartening to see us struggle that badly with an FCS team, even more so after their loss this past weekend to Gardner Webb. But it's rare anybody turns the ball over four times (many of which were in the red zone) and come away with a W. I agree that Sade has made one heck of an improvement from a few years ago. I still remember when he was missing extra points as a freshman. Either way, an accurate kicker with his range is a crucial weapon for any football team. And in regards to him having so many touchbacks, don't forget that this year they moved the kick offs up to the 35 but I agree, it's nice to finally have a kicker that can put one out of the back of the end zone.

Defensively I loved the adjustments at halftime. I believe they only had 80 some yards in the second half and that's exactly how it's supposed to be against an FCS team. And despite the frustration with the defense you have to give credit to Richmond for coming up with an effective game plan and executing it. Some of those passes (especially the TD pass in the second quarter) were PERFECTLY placed. Other times however we just looked bad. I know Richmond made it a point to pick on our back up safety Tim Buckley. I think he played 5 or 6 snaps and every snap they completed a long pass against him. Needless to say, he didn't make it back on the field in the second half.

Offensively we have A LOT to improve upon. The OL troubles are the most worrisome to me, especially with a new QB in the backfield. To put things into perspective, Quinton Schooley was a second string o-lineman at his Junior College back in July and was able to secure a starting spot on our OL by our first game. Kind of scary to think about, really. And I agree about the freshman Marty, they sure do look promising. Both Dayes and Valdes are getting some major PT and the players have really raved about their maturity and abilities.

In regards to Pete Thomas, he nearly cost us the game. He hasn't connected on a long ball yet this season and he even has trouble completing some of the screen passes. That said, he stepped up and made some plays with his feet to keep the chains moving. He just needs to calm down, go through his progressions and make smarter decisions. That was another point about Jacoby by the way, he apparently had to take Pete aside and calm him down a few times when he would get too worked up about certain plays. Anyways, I think Pete's ineffectiveness is due in part to his abilities and partly because he just isn't what Doeren's system calls for. He pretty much has Pete running the vanilla portion of his playbook with Shireffs handling the more athletic plays.

Either way, I hope we can give Clemson a good game this Thursday but I think it'll be a blow out (unfortunately). I know the people who film the coaches show said that his most recent show was one of the most uncomfortable shows they've ever done. Doeren was so worried about Clemson after having watched film on them all day that it was almost painful trying to get him to talk about Richmond. 

And Tizu, here's a link to the game on YouTube if you want to watch a little bit of it.

NC State vs. Richmond

Btw Marty, where was the dragster. I must have missed that...

[cvholt87]

On a side note, one thing I noticed were the "injuries" to the Richmond players later in the game. There was one instance in the 4th quarter where #56 laid down on the field like he was hurt, walked off and refused medical help/water and came back in the next play. I know it's been a big topic throughout football but they have got to put a rule in place to stop these types of things.

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

If I'm wrong, I'm wrong - all due respect and apologies to Brandon Mitchell, I'm sorry, I was wrong. If that was Jacoby Brissett (presumably, ineligible to play this season under the transfer rule, no?), I have no issue with Brandon Mitchell, just couldn't figure out why that possibly would or could have been him. Had no clue those guys looked that similar (well, to an apparent old blind fart sitting in the upper deck anyway!).

Re: touchbacks. Ah - the 35. There's the rub. Still nice, though. If State's gonna score, then the opposition gets to start out around the 40 because our kicker's full range is that of an extra point, that ain't good!

Richmond lost to Gardner F'n Webb?!?!?! That's what I'm talking about - State is nowhere near good enough to think any team is just gonna roll over.

Agree as well with Richmond (a good, well-coached football team) exploiting weaknesses on pass plays, what bothers me is the utter lack of tackling by supposed front line players. Secondary wasn't great in coverage and didn't tackle well against Richmond - either they improved A LOT or Clemson will have a field day. Disappointed with Pete Thomas so far, I'm sorry to say - would've thought (even if he's not a "perfect fit" for Doeren's system) that between size, strength (presumably), and experience he would be a great #2/1A QB, but damn - my 9 year-old daughter knows better than to watch one single guy the whole way thru his route then throw the ball into double coverage.

I also noticed only about 45 seconds elapsed between the time they scraped #56 off the turf and the time he was running back out on the field - there has to be something done about that, and I hope State's called for a penalty if they ever get caught doing it too. "Everybody does it" and "It goes on everywhere" are excuses I'm tired of hearing around the local area (if you catch my drift .....).

The dragster was beneath the overhang of the PNC Arena facing the stadium before the game, they drove it into the hauler trailer around 5:30 or so.

L-OUD. Awesome. Don't know what series or anything it drives in, and it didn't have a spoiler on the back, it looked like a scaled-down rail dragster (not NHRA level), but it was a legitimate race car, had a chute on the back and everything. Fat rear tires and wheels, but the engine probably shifted the tectonic plates beneath the arena. Sumbee was L-OUD. Awesome.

I'll try to post a photo of it.

[cvholt87]

I think Jacoby's beard (he didn't have one in the spring game) and overall excitement kind of threw people off. I know I sure didn't expect someone who's redshirting to be the one jumping around on the sidelines. Usually they're up in the stands or the box with the coaches. Brandon just got his cast off the other day and is now in a boot with crutches. He still can't walk on it yet but I've heard they are hoping to have him back for the FSU game.

And yea, I agree, our tackling HAS to improve by Thursday. Clemson has a ton of speed and they'll make you pay on the scoreboard with mistakes like that. Either way, the Clemson game will be won or lost based on who wins the line of scrimmage. If our d-line can't create pressure, Boyd will have a field day and put up 70 on us. Offensively I think we'll be using A LOT of misdirection and screen plays to keep the defense somewhat honest. I just dread the obvious passing downs with the way Pete's been throwing the ball. He needs to limit his turnovers to give us a shot.

Ah, my parking spot is by the RV lot so I was on the opposite side of the stadium from it. I'm surprised I didn't at least hear something though if it was as loud as you said it was. But yea, post up a picture if you can figure out how. Sounds awesome.

[Marty Da Hungry Wolf]

I'll give it the ol' college try.