Explosive plays overshadow a decent Wolfpack defensive performance in Durham

After scoring a season-high 48 points against Marshall, NC State football traveled to Durham to play the then-No. 17 Duke Blue Devils, and apparently forgot to bring the offense along with it. 

The slow, heavily defensive matchup ended in a 24-3 loss for the Pack. Though the defense forced a turnover and six punts, it was unable to make up for the severe lack of offense for the Wolfpack.

Defensive line

The Wolfpack’s defensive line had an up-and-down game. Although unable to sack the quarterback, it provided constant pressure on him and mostly silenced the run game. However, Blue Devils running back Jordan Waters was able to break free for a backbreaking 83-yard touchdown early in the third quarter. 

Aside from the big play, the defensive line allowed just 111 yards on 29 carries, resulting in 3.8 yards per carry. It found a way to stifle the rushing attack, but it needs to make sure it does so on every play. If the defensive line can do so, it can return to form in its upcoming showdown with Clemson.

Grade: B

Linebackers

Graduate linebacker Payton Wilson yet again led the team in tackles, finishing with 11 tackles, half a sack and two tackles for loss. No matter the opponent, Wilson continues his campaign to be the best linebacker in the nation; he’s now fourth in tackles per game at 11.6, remaining just two total tackles away from the top three. 

Senior linebacker Jaylon Scott also had a respectable game, finishing with four tackles and half a tackle for loss.

There wasn’t much to do in this slow game. Aside from the few big plays, the Wolfpack forced six punts and a turnover, quickly stifling any further Duke drives. Most of these drives consisted of six plays or less, hence the diluted tackle statistics.

Grade: A-

Secondary

With the absence of Blue Devils quarterback Riley Leonard, the Wolfpack secondary seemed to have a favorable matchup against backup Henry Belin IV, who was thrust into his first career start after Leonard’s ankle sprain. Though it let up two touchdown passes, the secondary held Belin to just four completions on twelve throws for a total of 107 yards and an interception. 

However, most of those yards came midway through the first quarter, when Belin found receiver Jalon Calhoun, who took it 69 yards to the endzone. 

The secondary was led by junior cornerback Shyheim Battle, who snagged his seventh career interception during the first drive of the game, putting the Wolfpack in position to score its only points of the night.

Much like the defensive line, the secondary continues to struggle with containing explosive plays. It continues to be the biggest defensive issue, and the secondary needs to resolve it immediately. It has time to figure it out during the bye week before playing the Clemson Tigers at home.

Grade: B