By the numbers: Inside NC State’s first loss of the year at Duke

By Noah Fleischman

DURHAM — NC State watched a two-score lead slip away just before halftime and it wasn’t able to post its third straight come-from-behind victory as it lost 45-33 at Duke on Saturday night at Wallace Wade Stadium.

Let’s take a look at some of the numbers that told the story in the Wolfpack’s first loss of the campaign.

0

The number of punts NC State redshirt senior punter Caden Noonkester attempted in the loss. His right leg wasn’t needed as the Wolfpack’s drives either ended in a touchdown (five times), an interception (three times), a lost fumble, a blocked field goal or halftime. NC State’s offense didn’t turn in a drive that stalled in its own end, the first game without a punt since the Wolfpack’s 41-10 win over UConn on Sept. 24, 2022.

3

Sacks from NC State’s defense, a season-best mark. The Wolfpack had yet to record more than one sack in a single game this fall with just two on the season through the first three games. Senior nose tackle Brandon Cleveland and graduate linebacker Tra Thomas had one each, while graduate linebacker Caden Fordham and grad student defensive end Travali Price combined for another.

7

Missed tackles from NC State’s defense. The Wolfpack did not have any players record more than one missed tackle in the defeat. NC State’s 7 missed tackles were the second-fewest of the season after it had 11 in each of the last two games — wins over Virginia and Wake Forest.

9

The number of explosive passes NC State’s secondary allowed to Duke’s offense. Tulane transfer quarterback Darian Mensah accounted for 191 yards through the air on those 9 completions, including 3 touchdowns. The Blue Devils had scores from 17, 33 and 37 yards, respectively, in the loss.

13

The lead NC State blew in the second quarter. The Wolfpack led 20-7 before Duke scored three touchdowns in the middle four — the final two minutes of the first half and the first two minutes of the second half — to surge past NC State. 

123

Redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers’ total rushing yards in the loss. It marked his third straight 100-yard game on the ground, becoming the first NC State running back to accomplish the feat since Nyheim Miller-Hines did it in 2017.

364

Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey’s passing yards, a new career-best showing in the loss at Duke. He was 29-for-39 passing with 2 touchdowns and 3 interceptions as well. His 74 percent completion rate was also the best he has ever posted in his collegiate career through his first 14 starts with the Wolfpack.

535

Total number of yards NC State’s offense racked up, a season best. The Wolfpack totaled 171 rushing yards to aid in its ability to move the ball up and down the field with ease — until 4 turnovers and a missed field goal attempt left the team empty-handed on 5 possessions.

Fit, feel, setting statistics

Record by uniform combination

White-Red-Red (City of Oaks): 1-0
White-Red-White: 1-0
Red-White-Red: 1-1

Record by kickoff time

12:00 p.m.: 1-0
4:00 p.m.: 0-1
7:00 p.m.: 1-0
7:30 p.m.: 1-0

Record by TV network

ACC Network: 1-0
ESPN: 1-0
ESPN2: 1-1

Record by venue

Carter-Finley Stadium: 2-0
Away: 1-1