NC State Wolfpack football scored a key win Saturday afternoon, winning 30-29 on the road over previously ranked Pittsburgh.
It’s time for a final look at the contest with some Monday morning quarterbacking.
Key Moment Of The Game
In a game that was won on the last drive and by a single point, there are a myriad of plays throughout the game that could have flipped the outcome. However, those moments resulted in the climatic ending.
NC State took over at its own 21-yard line with 1:38 left and without a timeout, and that's when Wolfpack redshirt sophomore quarterback Devin Leary went to work.
Three Things That Worked
1. Making the decision to go with Devin Leary. The choice was not made official until NC State's opening drive, but it was clearly the right call. If you didn't know better, it was almost like Ryan Finley was back at quarterback and throwing to Kelvin Harmon, Jakobi Meyers and Stephen Louis.
In some ways, Leary was even better than Finley. Leary was 28-of-44 passing for 336 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. He become the first QB at NC State to throw for over 300 yards and four scores in a game without a pick since someone named Russell Wilson also did it, ironically against Pittsburgh in a Wolfpack win in 2009.
Leary also led a game-winning score in the final drive, something that eluded Finley in his Wolfpack career.
2. Stopping the run. We wrote in our breakdown of the game on paper, "this game may represent an opportunity for the Wolfpack run defense to redeem itself a little" after a couple of poor outings. The Panthers were not a great rushing team, and NC State finally was able to taste some success in stopping the run.
Pittsburgh ran 37 times for 92 yards, or just 2.5 yards per carry. Their running backs accounted for just 52 yards on 21 carries.
3. Seizing the opportunity. Make no mistake about it, Pittsburgh somewhat made itself ripe for an upset Saturday. Thirteen penalties for 125 yards highlight that as much as anything. A receiver also stumbled in what should have been a touchdown, setting the stage for a dramatic goal line stand for NC State's defense to prevent any points from being scored. A dropped two-point conversion helped keep the margin down late in the fourth quarter.
But when given the opportunity to take advantage of an opponent's miscues, you still have to actually do just that. NC State was far from perfect itself (see the game's second play and a 75-yard uncovered touchdown pass), but it did the better job of making the most of the other team's errors.
Three Things That Didn't Work
1. Running the football. Kudos to offensive coordinator Tim Beck for starting with the run and getting what he could because the reality is Pittsburgh was very tough to run against. Statistically speaking, the Panthers are second best in the country at stopping it.
NC State finished with just 62 yards on 30 carries. Forty-four of those rushing yards came on the Pack's opening possession, which produced a touchdown.
2. Defending Kenny Pickett. The senior for Pittsburgh seems to be a bit of a polarizing signal caller among Panthers fans, but they had nothing to complain about Saturday.
Pickett delivered in a major way, and he was really the sole reason Pittsburgh had a chance. He finished the game completing 22 of 39 passes for 411 yards and a score and also added 40 yards rushing with two more touchdowns.
3. Playing a clean game defensively. As well as Pickett was playing, NC State didn't need to help him. Not covering Pitt's leading receiver on the game's second play resulted in true freshman Jordan Addison having the easiest touchdown he will ever experience in what looks to be a very promising career for Pitt.
There was also a defensive holding flag on what should have been an incomplete pass on third and 16. That penalty would lead to a touchdown that put Pittsburgh up 20-17 in the third quarter. A roughing the passer with targeting wiped off a pick six for NC State sophomore safety Jakeen Harris, and instead Pittsburgh would eventually get a field goal.
Position-By-Position Battles
NC State’s offensive line vs. Pittsburgh's defensive front
Yes, NC State did not run it well, but the Panthers only had five tackles for loss and perhaps most importantly just two sacks. Entering the game, they had 17 in its previous three contests, most in the country heading into the weekend.
That gives NC State the edge in this matchup.
Pittsburgh's offensive line vs. NC State’s defensive front
NC State did not have a good pass rush, but it crushed the running game for the Pittsburgh runners. The Wolfpack finished with 10 tackles for loss, with most of them coming from the front. This was a win for NC State, as well.
NC State’s wide receivers vs. Pittsburgh’s secondary
This was the biggest victory of the day for NC State. Senior Emeka Emezie (seven catches for 101 yards and two scores) had what the Wolfpack hope will be his breakthrough moment in 2020. Redshirt junior Thayer Thomas (six receptions for 48 yards) had several key conversions, including a fourth-down catch to set up the game winner. Redshirt sophomore Devin Carter continues his solid season with three receptions for 72 yards.
Overall, it was easily the best game of the season for the Wolfpack receiving corps.
Pittsburgh’s wide receivers vs. NC State’s secondary
This was not a bright spot for NC State. The secondary has been decimated by injuries and then took a further blow when junior Tyler Baker-Williams, the starter at nickel, could not play because he has gone into quarantine after being identified in contact tracing. His replacement, true freshman Joshua Pierre-Louis, was ejected for targeting in the first half.
Pittsburgh had three pass plays of at least 45 yards to three different receivers, and DJ Turner finished with staggering numbers of eight receptions for 186 yards.
Quarterbacks
You'd have to be nitpicking to suggest one QB was clearly better than the other Saturday, but Leary got the winning moment.
Running backs
Neither team got the game they wanted from their running backs, but that is probably a credit to the defenses.
Tight ends/fullbacks
NC State fifth-year senior Cary Angeline had a game that was perhaps lost a little bit in the heroics of Leary and Emezie. Angeline finished with four receptions for 60 yards and two touchdowns.
Pittsburgh did not involve its tight ends in the passing game.
Special teams
A lengthy punt return by Pitt's Turner gave the Panthers the edge in special teams on Saturday.
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