Quick hits from NC State's loss to Louisville

Quick hits and notes from NC State’s 34-20 loss to Louisville in front of 54,089 fans at Carter-Finley Stadium on a cold, breezy night in Raleigh.

The Pack actually led 10-7 at halftime, but the Cardinals pulled away in the third quarter, evidenced by the chart below:

NC State gained 377 total yards, which was actually more than Louisville’s 326. However, it meant that for the eighth straight game, including in all six league contests, the Pack has failed to reach 400 total yards of offense.

It is, however, the third time NC State has outgained its opponent (also did it at Florida State and against Syracuse). The Cardinals' 326 yards were the fewest allowed by the Pack in an ACC game this year.

The biggest stat, though, remains the turnovers. NC State did not get one again. That’s six straight conference games without one. Meanwhile, the Pack turned it over three times (all by freshmen). NCSU has 14 turnovers in ACC action.

Big plays count just like the small ones, but it’s telling how much Louisville’s offense was all-or-nothing. Consider the four longest plays of the game for the Cards:

• A 74-yard touchdown pass to sophomore receiver Tutu Atwell

• A 43-yard touchdown pass to redshirt junior receiver Dez Fitzpatick

• A 42-yard touchdown pass to sophomore H-back Marshon Ford

• A 23-yard run from redshirt freshman running back Javian Hawkins

Those four plays resulted in a total of 182 total yards. Louisville’s other 56 snaps produced 144 yards, or 2.6 yards per play. Louisville was also held to under 100 yards rushing (77) for the first time this season.

Former NC State players B.J. Hill (now of the New York Giants) and running back Reggie Gallaspy Jr. were hanging out in the press box. Gallaspy and head coach Dave Doeren had a chat after the game was over.

We’ll keep a rundown in quick hits of how many games the Wolfpack true freshmen have played. They can play up to four games before burning their redshirt. An asterisk means they participated against Louisville.

Defensive tackle Joshua Harris, guard Dylan McMahon and linebacker Jaylon Scott are all one game away from losing the redshirt. Interestingly, Harris and McMahon did not play Saturday.

• Offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu — 10 games* (burned redshirt)

• Running back Jordan Houston — 10 games* (burned redshirt)

• Running back Zonovan Knight — 10 games* (burned redshirt)

• Receiver Keyon Lesane — 10 games* (burned redshirt)

• Long snapper Joe Shimko — 10 games* (burned redshirt)

• Linebacker Drake Thomas — 10 games* (burned redshirt)

• Safety Jakeen Harris — 9 games* (burned redshirt)

• Defensive end Savion Jackson — 8 games* (burned redshirt)

• Defensive back Cecil Powell — 8 games* (burned redshirt)

• Defensive tackle Joshua Harris — 4 games

• Offensive lineman Dylan McMahon — 4 games

• Linebacker Jaylon Scott — 4 games*

• Cornerback Shyheim Battle — 3 games*

• Defensive end Terrell Dawkins — 3 games*

• Safety Khalid Martin — 2 games

• Defensive tackle C.J. Clark — 1 game

• Nickel Jalen Frazier — 1 game

• Offensive guard Timothy McKay — 1 game*

NC State is 4-6 and 1-5 in the ACC. Louisville is 6-3 and 4-3. The Cards have clinched bowl eligibility while NC State must win out to get there for a sixth straight season.

Louisville snapped its two-game losing streak to the Pack and leads the overall series 7-3. UL is 4-2 in ACC games vs. NC State.

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