Football report card: Grading the Wolfpack’s performance in a 53-34 loss at Pitt

By Noah Fleischman

PITTSBURGH — After scoring three touchdowns in the first half, keeping Pitt within 10 points for much of the opening 30 minutes, NC State’s defense couldn’t find a way to consistently stop the Panthers’ high-flying offense after halftime. Pitt, instead, blew the game open across the final two quarters with a 53-34 win on Saturday afternoon at Acrisure Stadium.

Let’s take a look at each phase of the Pack’s game and how they did in the loss. Here are the week’s grades for NC State’s offense, defense and special teams.

NC State offense

Grade: C

After winning the opening coin toss, NC State coach Dave Doeren got aggressive in electing to receive. That decision, though, didn’t work out as the offense sputtered with a pair of three-and-outs, while Pitt scored on its first three possessions — two touchdowns and a field goal. 

That appeared to set the tone for the rest of the afternoon as NC State’s offense couldn’t find a consistent rhythm. In all, the Pack had 15 total drives with just five touchdowns, four three-and-outs, three turnovers on downs and a lost fumble. 

Focusing on the details was what redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers said the Wolfpack focused on during its first of two open dates, but it wasn’t evident on the field. Sophomore quarterback CJ Bailey threw the ball away twice on fourth down, while he also had a fumble trying to scramble on third down. 

Bailey was 24-of-40 passing for 225 yards with 3 touchdowns, but he wasn’t able to be consistent as he seemed hesitant at times, while NC State’s receivers couldn’t find consistent separation to give him a target to find. 

The bright spot of the offense was twofold: Smothers’ 65-yard rushing touchdown and senior tight end Justin Joly’s 6 receptions for a career-best 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.

But even with the good that came from Joly, he appeared to injure his quad on the second touchdown — a trick-play 59-yard pass from freshman wideout Teddy Hoffmann. He didn’t return after that, sitting out the second half, despite staying in uniform.

While it wasn’t a perfect performance for NC State’s offense, the unit scored 34 points, a total with which the staff feels like it should be able to position itself for a win.

Defense

Grade: D

NC State’s defense wasn’t able to make life difficult for Pitt freshman quarterback Mason Heintschel, who was able to help pace the Panthers to a 53-point explosion. He finished 28-of-48 passing for 423 yards (a program freshman record) and 3 touchdowns in just his fourth career start. 

Otherwise called: not great. 

Why did Heintschel, who was sacked 12 games in his previous two games combined, have so much success against the Wolfpack? The team could not generate pressure as its defensive backs played soft coverage for most of the afternoon. Heintschel was able to have a wideout get open in between the light coverage, which allowed Pitt to move the ball with ease. 

In all, Heintschel posted 10 explosive passes — the most surrendered by the Wolfpack defense this season — as he looked like a proven veteran at just 18 years old. 

Pitt was able to outgain NC State 529-445 in total offense, while the Panthers had 29 first downs gained (to NC State’s 15). That allowed Pitt to dominate the time of possession as it had the ball for 34:56 in the lopsided win. 

While the Panthers’ offense was able to do what it wanted through the air, the defense did limit Pitt to just 106 rushing yards on 33 carries, though it did have three short-yardage scores on the ground. Add in the fact NC State’s first eight penalties were on the defense, leading to 92 yards for Pitt, and it was just insult to injury in what appeared to be a winnable game with the offense’s ability to find pay dirt five times.

Grad student linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. led the Wolfpack with 12 total tackles, including 7 solos and a TFL, while redshirt junior nickel Jackson Vick had 6 tackles with a pair of pass breakups. 

Special teams

Grade: B-

There wasn’t much to write home about with NC State’s special teams unit in the loss. The Wolfpack did not attempt a field goal for the third straight game, while its streak without a made field goal extended to four games. 

Instead, redshirt senior punter Caden Noonkester was busy. He had 5 punts for 223 yards, averaging 44.6 per attempt. Noonkester had two boots land inside the 20-yard line with three 50-yard kicks in the defeat. 

Redshirt freshman running back Duke Scott had 6 kick returns for 136 yards, averaging 23 yards per runback, while redshirt sophomore running back Coleson Fields had 2 for 13 yards. The Wolfpack did not record a punt return at Pitt, despite forcing a pair from the Panthers.