Dana Bible sees progress in offense
The improvement of the running game did wonders for the NC State offense.
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The Wolfpack rushed for five touchdowns and passed for one score, and had just six incompletions in the 52-14 rout over The Citadel last Saturday. NC State had essentially a 2-to-1 ratio with 51 rushing attempts and 25 passing attempts en route to 515 yards against the overmatched Bulldogs defense.
NCSU offensive coordinator Dana Bible knows fifth-year senior quarterback Mike Glennon and the offense took a step in the right direction leading up to Saturday's ACC opener at Miami.
The emergence of freshman tailback Shadrach Thornton boosted NC State's offensive attack. The 6-foot-1, 200-pounder rushed for 145 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries, plus four catches for 26 in his Wolfpack debut.
"He runs with an attitude and he's still a work in progress," Bible said. "He was on the scout team, and did we get to see him a lot? Not really. Every day, we always talk personnel as a staff, and the defense talks to us, and we talk to the defense. There is nobody that is a secret."
Thornton's style was somewhat reminiscent of former Boston College running back Andre Callender, who rushed for 2,967 career yards and 17 touchdowns for the Eagles (2004-2007).
"Shadrach is a little more sudden, and Callender was a little bigger when he was older," Bible said.
NC State dominated the first half to the tune of 42 points — 35 on offense and another seven from Rashard Smith's 73-yard punt return for a score.
"We came out and were focused, so the execution was at a level that gave us a chance to be successful," Bible said. "We can build on that. The offensive line is growing and moving in the right direction, just like the rest of the offense.
"There are aspects of our offense that we are growing and improving, and that is what you want to be every week. You want to better this week than last week."
The Hurricanes are youthful on defense, but have shown flashes. Miami held Georgia Tech scoreless in the first quarter, and fourth quarter/overtime en route to a 42-36 victory.
Miami jumped out to a commanding 19-0 lead, but started to lose its mojo following star sophomore wide receiver Phillip Dorsett's second-quarter fumble that helped the Yellow Jackets get momentum and cut the lead to 19-14. Georgia Tech finished with an astounding 36-3 run in the middle quarters, but still ended up losing in overtime.
Miami freshman linebacker Eddie Johnson stuffed Georgia Tech quarterback Tevin Washington on fourth down and one at the Hurricanes two-yard line in overtime. Miami senior running back Mike James scored the game-winning points two plays later on a 25-yard touchdown scamper to help the Canes improve to 3-1.
Johnson and safety classmate Deon Bush, along with sophomore defensive end Anthony Chickillo, represent the next wave of defenders for Miami.
"They are explosive on defense," Bible said. "Sometimes when you play a young defense there can be some inconsistencies. Sometimes they might not be quite as verse as what is coming down the pike at them, but I'll tell you what, Miami is a quick study."
Bible also praised Miami senior cornerback Brandon McGee, who has 18 tackles and an interception this season.
"No. 21 is really a fine player at corner," Bible said. "It's Miami, and with that goes a certain level of talent and certain level of player."
Miami's defense has seen different offensive looks from Boston College on Sept. 1, Kansas State on Sept. 8 and Georgia Tech last weekend. NC State's offense resembles the Eagles more than the Wildcats and option-based Yellow Jackets.
The three FBS opponents averaged 40 points per game against Miami.
"It's hard to make that fit [with GT] other than you can see how sound, aggressive and how disciplined they were in that game," Bible said. "Kansas State has a different style because of what they do with their quarterback [Collin Klein], but all of those games taught us and say something about the defense.
"They've played a variety of styles so far. Every game talks to you."
Miami's dominating first quarter on the road against Georgia Tech was a good reminder to any NC State player, who thinks the Hurricanes don't have firepower on both sides of the ball.
"Miami demonstrated in the BC game that they can respond from being down, and in the Georgia Tech game, they can jump on them," Bible said.