The Review: NC State overcomes slow start to win at Wake Forest

NC State’s defense shut the door in the second half after a rocky start and the Wolfpack rallied for a 34-24 win at Wake Forest to improve to 3-0 and 1-0 in the ACC.

Here is a look back at the Wolfpack’s victory.

Play of the game

A lot of good choices could be made, but when redshirt sophomore running back Daylan Smothers maneuvered and slickly ran 42 yards to the Wake Forest 15-yard line, a sigh of relief could be made. NC State was obviously in field goal range with the game tied 24-24, and that run set up new variables.

NC State sophomore quarterback C.J. Bailey found sophomore wide receiver Keenan Jackson for a 12-yard score with 13:27 left in the game. NC State was never threatened again.

Three game balls

1. Redshirt sophomore defensive end Isaiah Shirley: He earned his first start and came up with a game-altering pick-six for a 41-yard touchdown, when he showed off his good hands. He finished with three tackles and had a team-best 94.4 grade by Pro Football Focus.

2. Sophomore quarterback C.J. Bailey: The Wolfpack leader went 23-of-32 passing for 201 yards, three touchdowns and zero interceptions. He also added eight carries for 19 yards. He received a good amount of time, made smart decisions and didn’t get rattled or try to force things when Wake Forest took a 14-0 lead early.

3. Redshirt sophomore running back Daylan Smothers: Smothers keeps improving and getting increased responsibility as each game goes by. He had 24 carries for 164 yards added four catches for minus-one yard. Smothers’ ability to instinctively bounce outside at the right time on run plays.

Key statistical advantages

NC State had an impressive 24-12 advantage in first downs, which led to having a 76-57 plays advantage and 38:05-to-21:55 time of possession lead.

Wake Forest and star senior running back Demond Claiborne got bottled up. WFU rushed 22 times for 59 yards and two scores.

Bailey was sacked one time when he scrambled into the sack.

NC State shut Wake Forest down on third-down conversions in the second half. The Demon Deacons went 6 of 8 in the first half and finished 6 of 16 in the game.

What went well

The defense came alive in the second half and held Wake Forest to two first downs in the second half, 41 yards passing and three rushing yards. That led to going 0 of 8 on third-down conversions after halftime.

Smothers rant the ball consistently well and NC State’s offensive line won the battle in the trenches.

Bailey spread the ball around with seven different players getting at least two receptions. Senior tight end Justin Joly was a weapon in the red zone and finished with four catches for 22 yards and two scores.

NC State didn’t turn the ball over once and Shirley had his big pick-six. Redshirt freshman safety Ronnie Royal got an interception toward the end of the game.

Senior punter Caden Noonkester had five punts for an average of 40.0 yards and landed two inside the 20-yard line.

What needs improvement

NC State got off to a slow start due to Wake Forest coming up big plays.

Wake Forest redshirt freshman Chris Barnes returned the opening kickoff 98 yards when it appeared that NC State lacked “lane integrity” with redshirt freshmen defensive backs Jivan Baly and Asaad Brown getting sucked inside too much.

Barnes then went deep and got behind NCSU safeties Brody Barnhardt and Jeremiah Johnson for a 70-yard score to take a 14-0 lead with 7:19 left in the first quarter.

The third big play was WFU senior tight end Eni Falayi for a 42-yard play to the NC State 21-yard line. That led to senior quarterback Robby Ashford running in from one-yard out for a 21-14 lead with 12:12 left in the second quarter. 

From that point on, NC State took care of business on defense for the most part. The lone big play was 26-yard passes to receivers Micah Mays and Sterling Berkhalter, which set up a 28-yard field goal.

NC State sixth-year senior left guard Anthony Carter was called for three penalties, one of which helped stall a drive in the fourth quarter and led to kicker Kanoah Vinesett making a 38-yard field goal to make it 34-24 with 5:31 left in the game. NCSU finished with 10 penalties for 94 yards.

The one big missed opportunity on offense is when Jackson probably would have had a 65-yard touchdown catch if the pass wasn’t overthrown.

The Wolfpacker’s game coverage

• Instant observations: NC State’s defense propels Wolfpack to comeback win at Wake Forest
• NC State coach Dave Doeren on DE Sabastian Harsh’s targeting ejection: ‘That doesn’t make sense to me’
• NC State starting to be battle-tested when trailing
• NC State DE Isaiah Shirley reflects on impressive pick-six in win at Wake Forest
• NC State’s buy-in helps boost Wolfpack in another comeback win, this time at Wake Forest to open ACC play
• What they’re saying after NC State’s ACC-opening win at Wake Forest
• NC State football report card: Grading the Wolfpack’s 34-24 win at Wake Forest
• NC State football snap counts, PFF grades and notes: Defense at Wake Forest
• NC State football snap counts, PFF grades and notes: Offense at Wake Forest
• How NC State RB Hollywood Smothers rushed for a career-best 164 yards in win at Wake Forest
• NC State QB CJ Bailey continues to blossom in red zone as offense propels Pack to 3-0 start
• By the numbers: Inside NC State’s 34-24 win at Wake Forest
• NC State freshman report: Who played in the win at Wake Forest, breaking down each performance
• 5 NC State players that have boosted their stock through first 3 games