Three things we learned about NC State football in ‘big missed opportunity’ at Clemson
It wasn’t that long after the game, after N.C. State had taken a 30-20 beating at Clemson on Saturday, when Isaiah Moore emerged from the locker room.
Moore appeared grim. It was apparent the linebacker still was hurting and angry about the way the No. 10 Wolfpack had handled the matchup, and itself, against the fifth-ranked Tigers in Death Valley.
“It’s a big missed opportunity for us, we realize that,” Moore said.
But Moore also was steadfast in how the Pack must now handle the unsettling loss in the ACC showcase and Atlantic Division showdown game.
“The championship game wasn’t played tonight,” Moore said. “We’ve still got a long season ahead. We’ve got to reset and get back to work.”
Moore paused, adding, “We can either get bitter or get better.”
For every team, a big win or big loss reveals something about it — good, bad or indifferent. So it will be with the Pack, which faces Florida State and Syracuse in the next two weeks in the ACC.
For N.C. State, there are three things to consider:
Stick with the best receivers
A year ago, the Pack had Emeka Emezie as its big-play receiver to go with Thayer Thomas, as reliable a possession type as there is in the ACC. It’s as if the offensive coaches are trying to replace Emezie by committee, but not getting the job done.
One option for the Wolfpack would be deciding on the best couple of receivers to complement Thomas, who had a game-high nine catches for 84 yards. Let Devin Leary put in a lot of practice and game repetitions with a thinned-down corps and reconsider a parade of Devin Carter, Keyon Lesane, Porter Rooks, Darryl Jones, Julian Gray and others.
Thomas took a physical beating at Clemson, which was understandable in that he was targeted 16 times, more than double anyone else in the game. But you can’t blame Leary for looking in his direction.
There has to be a trust factor between a quarterback and his receivers, a quick recognition of a receiver’s reaction when things get tight in a game and passing windows even tighter and his ability to make the catch. Leary and Thomas have that.
Find a way to run the ball
The Pack needs to prove, if it can, it can run the ball against good defenses. N.C. State had a net of 34 yards against the Tigers, whose front seven on D are the best in the ACC and one of the best fronts in the country.
Jordan Houston, back from an injury Saturday, and Demie Sumo-Karngbaye are all-effort backs but had a combined 42 yards. Their longest run in the game: eight yards.
“You’ve got to give Clemson credit. They won the line of scrimmage,” Pack coach Dave Doeren said. “Their D line played really good.”
A one-dimensional offense means Leary will need to stay on the move. The rush will be coming. The blitzes will be coming. He will take some licks.
“We knew coming in that they were a talented front,” Leary said. “We didn’t execute well. We know we’re a better team than that.”
Lean on the leadership group
The coming weeks likely will be a test of leadership for the Pack. Theirs is a tight team, with many players who remember the misery of being 4-8 a few years ago before pivoting the program.
Center Grant Gibson must be the leader on the offensive line. Thomas must do the same with the receivers and the defense has some strong voices in players such as Moore, Drake Thomas and others.
Will a hugely disappointing loss to Clemson cause a fissure that becomes bigger? Or will the Wolfpack co-captains and leaders, along with Doeren, step forward and demand more?
“We didn’t put on display what we’re all about,” Leary said. “We’re going to definitely bounce back.”
The championship game Moore mentioned was the ACC championship game in Charlotte. The Wolfpack likely will need some outside help to get there — someone to knock off Clemson — but there’s still that chance.
“All we can control is next week,” Doeren said.
This story was originally published October 2, 2022 at 7:10 AM with the headline "Three things we learned about NC State football in ‘big missed opportunity’ at Clemson."
