UNC pummels NC State Wolfpack 45-34

For Wolfpack fans, Saturday afternoon was a disaster. This time last year, UNC fans had a similar feeling as NC State whipped the home team 35-7. On Saturday, North Carolina (11-1, 8-0) returned the favor by defeating the Pack in flamboyant fashion 45-34. Sadly, the game really was not that close. Though NC State (7-5, 3-5) was able to move the ball fairly well, anyone watching got the feeling that after the first quarter, Dave Doeren’s strategy clearly was to play keep-away from Marquise Williams and the Carolina offense who seemingly could score at will.

North Carolina took the opening drive and moved the ball 7 plays for 68 yards to the Wolfpack 5 yard line when Williams’ helmet came off. Surprisingly, instead of calling timeout (to keep Williams in the game) UNC coach Larry Fedora opted to send backup quarterback Mitch Trubisky in on 3rd and goal. After dropping the snap, Trubisky scrambled toward the sideline then threw the ball back across his body for the 5-yard touchdown catch by Quinshad Davis.

This was a bad omen of things to come.

North Carolina would go on to rack up 35 first quarter points before fans could get settled in good. This was not how Senior Day was supposed to play out.

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In shocking order: T.J. Logan who would bust a 42 yard TD run. Then receiver Mack Hollins caught a 53 yard TD pass from Williams. Logan again would bust a 40 yard TD run and finally Elijah Hood would punch it in from 1 yard out to lead NC State 35-7 with :51 remaining in the first quarter.

The Wolfpack defense never arrived. They must have assumed the game was being played in Chapel Hill again, because they never showed. Over past few weeks NC State has been stellar defensively, almost shutting out Boston College, holding their own at Florida State and playing well against Syracuse. However, those defenses were not at Carter-Finley on Saturday. Against UNC, the Wolfpack gave up a whopping 553 yards of total offense. The defense can thank the Wolfpack offense for milking much of the clock, because it would have been a lot more.

Nov 28, 2015; Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett (12) is sacked by North Carolina Tar Heels defensive end DaJuan Drennan (17) during the second half at Carter Finley Stadium. North Carolina won 45-34. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

Peeve of the Day

For the love of God, will somebody…anybody bring back smash-mouth football and stop the jet sweeps and read option crap.

When it works, it’s a beautiful thing to behold. However, all too often when teams diagnose it, and figure out how to stop those plays, the offensive team is rendered helpless.

Whatever happened to lining up in an I-formation, man on man, put a helmet on somebody and just run the football.

Nowadays, everyone uses a gimmicky offense predicated on deception. Time and time again, Carolina diagnosed the jet sweep and stopped it for a loss or no gain at all.

Those offenses do rack up great stats, but when the team needs to run the ball and everyone knows they have to run, they usually get stuffed at critical times.

I had hoped the Wolfpack would be sick and tired of hearing about the Tarheel successes. Well, after Saturday’s performance, NC State extended Carolina’s shelf life for another week propelling them into the ACC Championship game against Clemson on December 5th. As for the Pack, all we can do is await an invitation to go bowling this holiday season.

FINAL: UNC 45 – NC State 34

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Quick Stats

Attendance: 57, 600

Jacoby Brissett– 17 of 37 for 205 yards (1 TD, 1 INT), 20 rushes for 145 yards (2 TD)

Reggie Gallaspy- 14 rushes for 77 yards

Jaylen Samuels- 6 catches for 97 yards

NC State- 308 yards rushing (UNC-374)

NC State- 206 yards passing (UNC- 179)

NEXT UP: TBA (Bowl Game)

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