NC State football snap counts, PFF grades and notes: Defense at No. 15 Miami

by: Noah Fleischman11/16/25fleischman_noah

Asaad Brown Caden Fordham — Nov 15, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Miami Hurricanes running back Charmar Brown (6) is stopped short of the goal line by NC State Wolfpack defensive back Asaad Brown Jr. (26) during the first quarter at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- NC State's defense did the best it could, but the offense wasn't able to give the unit much time to relax on the bench in a 41-7 loss at No. 15 Miami on Saturday afternoon at Hard Rock Stadium. Graduate linebacker Caden Fordham led the Pack with 11 total tackles, including seven solos, while redshirt junior defensive back Jackson Vick and redshirt freshman safety Asaad Brown Jr. logged six tackles each in the defeat. While the Wolfpack defense was able to get a few stops early in the game, the Hurricanes' high-powered offense eventually asserted itself with four straight scoring drives to put the game away. Senior cornerback Devon Marshall, who was responsible for a pair of those first-half plays with a forced fumble and third-down pass breakup, earned the highest Pro Football Focus grade on the Wolfpack's defense. Redshirt freshman linebacker Zane Williams and graduate defensive lineman Chazz Wallace were the only other two defenders to log a grade above 70.0. Let’s take a look at NC State’s full list of initial PFF grades and snap counts with notes to put some of the data into context.