Duke’s Manny Diaz on NC State: ‘We’re facing the best passing offense … we’ve played over the course of this year’

Duke coach Manny Diaz walked past NC State sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey inside the Charlotte Hilton Uptown in July, and immediately noticed changes in the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback. 

The first thing he noticed was Bailey’s increased muscle. The 6-foot-6 signal-caller added about 15 pounds to his frame this offseason with Director of Strength and Conditioning Dantonio “Thunder” Burnette. That stood out, but since then, so has Bailey’s continued experience as Diaz, a defensive-minded coach, has watched the film.

After all, Bailey had the entire offseason to prepare as the Wolfpack’s starting quarterback after he was tossed into the fire following Grayson McCall’s concussions a year ago.

“It’s what you expect, even from an age standpoint as he’s maturing another year,” Diaz said during his weekly press conference Monday. “It was one of those things where it’s tough as a young guy and you’re thrown in like that ahead of schedule. But losses are lessons, and I’m sure he’s not the player he is today without those experiences — good and bad — that he had a year ago.”

Bailey, who threw for 2,413 yards with 17 touchdowns and 10 interceptions as a freshman, posted his least-efficient start against Duke a year ago. He was just 16-of-39 passing for 184 yards with a touchdown and interception to go with his career-low 84.0 passer rating as a result.

Now, however, Bailey is looking to turn the tide when the Wolfpack visits the Blue Devils at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday afternoon (4 p.m., ESPN2). The signal-caller is looking to avenge last year’s 29-19 loss to Duke, and after Diaz watched what Bailey has done over the first three games, he knows his defense will have its hands full.

“We’re going to have to grow up in a hurry in our secondary,” Diaz said, “especially [since] we’re facing the best passing offense, the best quarterback and the best group of wide receivers, tight ends and running backs that we’ve played over the course of this year.”

Bailey has been smart with the football so far this fall. He has thrown for 719 yards with five touchdowns and one interception on a 70.8 completion rate, while he has also rushed for 84 yards and three more scores. 

The Miami, Fla, native has been able to share the wealth in the pass game this season. He has connected with seven different wideouts at least six times through the first three games as senior wideout Wesley Grimes has a team-best 173 yards and a touchdown on nine catches.

In addition to the receiving corps, which has a dynamic set of threats between senior tight end Justin Joly to redshirt sophomore Noah Rogers and more, the rushing attack is just as potent. 

Redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers leads the ACC with 63 attempts for 380 yards and three touchdowns. He also has a conference-best 286 yards after contact with 20 missed tackles forced as a ball carrier this fall. 

In addition to Smothers, redshirt freshman Duke Scott has 19 carries for 66 yards, while Bailey can also run with 21 attempts for 84 yards this season. 

All in all, NC State’s offense will look to test Duke’s defense in this Week 4 clash. The Blue Devils boast the third-worst rushing defense in the league with 147.3 yards allowed per game to this point, while its pass defense ranks 11th with 226.0 yards conceded thus far. 

“It’s a big week for us, Dave [Doeren]’s got his team playing really well,” Diaz said. “They’re undefeated and have played three really good football teams where they’ve been challenged each week. They’re battle-tested. They have some challenges in a way that’s different from what we’ve faced this year. We’re going to have to practice a lot better, and play a lot better, this week to get a win.”