Yellow Jackets Sting Wolfpack 56-23

Saturday afternoon may have been NC State’s homecoming and a celebration of the 300^th game played at Carter-Finley Stadium, but visiting ACC foe #24 ranked Georgia Tech were more like party crashers as they defeated the Wolfpack 56-23. With words like shellacking and whupping thrown around so much since last Tuesday’s election, I felt a little awkward using them again. But I never heard gut-wrenching beatdown or insidious drubbing, so I guess either of those will do. I knew…head coach Dave Doeren knew…the team knew… hell even Honey Boo Boo probably knew what Georgia Tech would do on Saturday.

Run the rock. However, stopping this running game is easier said than done.

Nov 8, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Drew Davis (91) tackles Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Synjyn Days (10) at Carter Finley Stadium. Georgia Tech won 56-23. Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports

NC State had a plan. On the Ramblin’ Wreck’s first offensive drive the two Daves (Doeren and defensive coordinator Dave Huxtable) deployed an old defensive staple from the Dick Sheridan era: a new-look 5-2 defensive scheme designed to provide additional run support and hopefully catch Tech off guard in the process. The defensive strategy produced decent early results. Quarterback Jacoby Brissett scored on a 15 yard run (kick blocked) leaving NC State down 7-6. The Pack caught the break it needed when Yellow Jacket running back Synjyn Days fumbled deep in Wolfpack territory. Twelve plays and 71 yards later NC State’s Matt Dayes punched the ball into the end zone on a 17-yard scamper. NC State 13 – Georgia Tech 7

The euphoria was short-lived. Four plays later the other Mr. Days (Synjyn) atoned for his fumble on the previous drive by scoring on a 53-yard run. Paul Johnson’s triple option attack was in full swing. NC State 13 – Georgia Tech 14

This is where things become ugly. Nasty even.

Trailing 14-13 and driving for the go ahead score, Brissett was intercepted by senior linebacker Quayshawn Nealy on a freak pass that bounced off the foot of a teammate. Nealy returned the interception 69 yards before he fumbled after being stripped by Jaylen Samuels giving the ball back to the Wolfpack. Two plays later, D. J. White scored on a 38 yard pick-six when he undercut a Brissett pass intended for Marquez Valdes-Scantling. NC State 13 – Georgia Tech 21

Unbelievably, Nealy again would make headlines by scooping up a Brissett fumble after a sack. Nealy would return the fumble 43 yards for another touchdown. NC State 13 – Georgia Tech 28

Coach Doeren’s gameplan was to no doubt keep the ball away from Yellow Jacket quarterback Justin Thomas and their potent offense, but not like this. At one point in the 2^nd quarter, NC State had taken 27 consecutive offensive snaps, yet Georgia Tech had scored 14 points off defensive takeaways. The Yellow Jackets would score once more and the Pack would kick a 46 yard field goal to end the half.

Nov 8, 2014; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett Mandatory Credit: Liz Condo-USA TODAY Sports

Halftime: NC State 16 – Georgia Tech 35

The second half was much of the same, minus the dramatics. The Ramblin’ Wreck did just as the name implies by running the rock down the Wolfpack’s collective throats. Georgia Tech could not be stopped. On the few occasions when they were, penalties and missed assignments oftentimes bailed out this talented Yellow Jacket offense. Not that they needed much help.