Wolfpack football scouting report: Week 3 at Wake Forest

By Noah Fleischman

It’s time for NC State to hit the road for the first time this season. Although it will leave Raleigh, the Wolfpack doesn’t have to go too far to square off with Wake Forest on Thursday night (7:30 p.m., ESPN) at Allegacy Stadium.

As NC State prepares to visit Winston-Salem, a place it’s 3-9 since 2000, the Wolfpack is looking to earn its second straight victory inside the Demon Deacons’ home stadium. If it were to do that, it would mark the first such occurrence since the 1993 and 1995 seasons. 

Let’s take a look at this year’s Wake Forest squad, led by new coach Jake Dickert, ahead of the dual in Winston-Salem.

5 Wake Forest players to watch

1. RB Demond Claiborne

It’s Wake Forest, which means running back Demond Claiborne is the No. 1 priority to watch on the scouting report. And for good reason, too. The senior is approaching the 2,000 rushing yard mark for his career —he’s just 96 yards away — after running for 193 yards and three touchdowns on just 10 carries against Western Carolina. Claiborne has been the engine that ignites Wake Forest’s offense over the years, and that continues this season. 

2. QB Robby Ashford

After holding a quarterback competition in fall camp, well-traveled college football veteran Robby Ashford emerged on top. Wake Forest is the third different program he has started a game for in his career to this point. Ashford is dangerous in the air and on the ground, making him a challenge to prepare for. This season, he has thrown for 445 yards with a touchdown and an interception on 33-of-50 passing, while he has rushed for 108 yards and two scores . 

3. DB Nick Andersen

A former walk-on defensive back, Nick Andersen is a veteran leader for Wake Forest’s defense. The 2024 All-ACC third-team selection last fall has eight career interceptions, and through the first two games, he already has 12 total tackles with a pair of passes defended to anchor the Demon Deacons’ secondary. Andersen is a threat to make plays on the back end of the defense, making the Wolfpack offense have to identify where he is throughout the night.

4. DL Langston Hardy

Wake Forest had to retool its defensive line with Dickert’s staff in Winston-Salem, and it picked up UConn transfer Langston Hardy in the portal. He has turned into a critical pass rusher for the Demon Deacons so far this season with eight total tackles, including 2.5 sacks this past weekend against Western Carolina. Hardy, who could be matched up with his former UConn teammate in NC State tight end Justin Joly, has logged eight total quarterback pressures through the team’s first two games this fall.

5. WR Chris Barnes

After Dickert made his move from Washington State to Wake Forest, several former Cougars followed him to ACC country, including wideout Chris Barnes. Through his first two games at Wake Forest, Barnes has become Ashford’s favorite target with nine receptions for 172 yards. The 5-foot-7 slot receiver impressed against Western Carolina with six catches for 149 yards as he continues to get comfortable within the Demon Deacons’ offense. Barnes will test NC State nickel Jackson Vick in this matchup.

3 keys to the game

1. Stop the run

Wake Forest likes to lean on its rushing attack, and it will do the same against NC State. The Demon Deacons have averaged 201.5 yards on the ground through its first two games, including 273 against Western Carolina. This game will present an interesting challenge for the Wolfpack’s run defense that has been up and down this fall. NC State limited East Carolina to just 30 rushing yards in Week 1, but gave up 257 against Virginia this past weekend. 

The Pack will need to replicate its showing against the Pirates and not allow Claiborne to find the same success as Virginia running back J’Mari Taylor, who rushed for 150 yards and three touchdowns in Week 2. If NC State lets Claiborne run free like he did a year ago with 136 yards and two scores, it could turn into a high-scoring tilt in Winston-Salem.

2. Get after the quarterback

NC State’s pass rush had 18 pressures against East Carolina with 18, but only 14 against Virginia. If NC State wants to rattle Wake Forest’s offense, it will need to be able to get home against Ashford, the third-most sacked signal-caller in the league with four this fall. Expect Wolfpack defensive coordinator D.J. Eliot to dial up unique pressures to find different ways to confuse the Demon Deacons’ offensive line and get after Ashford.

3. Continue to find success running the ball

NC State had a much-improved rushing attack this past weekend against Virginia. The Wolfpack posted 216 yards on the ground after logging just 105 in Week 1. Redshirt sophomore running back Hollywood Smothers paced the group with 140 yards and two scores against the Cavaliers. He had better holes to run through with the new-look offensive line appearing to be more cohesive. If that trend continues, NC State should be able to continue to feed Smothers and redshirt freshman Duke Scott, which will then open up the pass game to create a multi-dimensional offense on the road.

1 NC State player who could change the game

DE Sabastian Harsh

Harsh, a Wyoming transfer, has been NC State’s top pass rush threat on the defensive line this season. He has logged 12 total tackles, including 3.5 for a loss, with nine quarterback pressures, consistently blowing past opposing offensive linemen with ease. If NC State is going to cause chaos in Wake Forest’s backfield, Harsh will likely lead the charge. And if the Demon Deacons decide to double-team him, it could open up more opportunities for outside linebacker Cian Slone, who has 6 total pressures so far but has yet to post his first sack of the campaign.