Wolfpack needs to improve in-game adjustments
North Carolina State is coming off a stunning loss to Wake Forest, which never led until the game’s final 30 seconds.
The 27-23 setback for the Wolfpack was devastating on several fronts, including the fact that it probably knocked the team out of contention for a major bowl bid.
The surprising shortcomings came after the Wolfpack appeared to find remedies in a rout of Florida State.
“(The Demon Deacons) did a nice job with their scheme and we didn’t adjust well enough,” N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said. “We didn’t win the line of scrimmage, (our) offensive line against their defensive line.”
There’s a good chance the offense could get rolling again with Saturday’s trip to a two-win Louisville team next on the docket.
And the Wolfpack’s problems probably don’t seem as magnified as what Louisville is dealing with. The Cardinals have new leadership after coach Bobby Petrino was fired Sunday.
From the N.C. State perspective, that will create the need to put more attention on what it needs to accomplish.
It was difficult to comprehend how the Wolfpack managed only 47 rushing yards against Wake Forest. N.C. State had taken pride in putting forth a balanced offense.
“It was a variety of things we weren’t doing well and not executing and picking up things they were doing,” Doeren said. “We have to get back to work and fix that.”
The lack of a crisp offense was something of particular concern for the Wolfpack. Even in a loss at Syracuse, there was good flow on the offensive side.
Since then, the Wolfpack has settled for a total of seven field goals across two games. N.C. State has scored seven touchdowns during that span.
“We had some drops that were very uncharacteristic of guys on our team that cost us points or first downs,” Doeren said.
“… I thought we prepared well, but you get in the red zone as many times as we did in the first half and only get 13 points and you can’t put the game away when had the chance there at the end (needing to pick up a first down to seal the outcome).”
Still, N.C. State’s defense looked stout for most of the game. But breakdowns in the fourth quarter became glaring.
“That’s the difference between winning and losing in close games,” N.C. State safety Dexter Wright said. “We couldn’t keep them from making those plays.”
The Wolfpack (6-3, 3-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) has three games remaining, all against teams with losing records.
So there are still goals out there for N.C. State. With a bowl game to come as well, a 10-win record remains a possibility.
“We’ve got to come back and regroup,” Wright said.
