Slumping Wolfpack seeks solutions

Goals and opportunities are slipping away for The Pack, which has been hurt by penalties, mistakes

RALEIGH -- A recent video addition on YouTube.com is called "New Pack Intro." Don't look for it on the Carter-Finley Stadium video boards.

The video shows N.C. State penalties from the Pack's losses to Wake Forest and Maryland. And turnovers. And more penalties.

The Pack's 14-7 loss at Virginia on Saturday was filled with more penalties. Only one turnover, but nine penalties. It was State's third consecutive defeat, leaving many Wolfpack fans wondering if this season suddenly gone awry somehow can be salvaged.

"We wanted to be ACC champions," defensive end Martrel Brown said Monday. "Virginia was a key game for us, and we came up short in that game, so right now we're just looking forward to going to a bowl."

Left for the Pack (3-5, 2-3 ACC) are games against Georgia Tech, Clemson, North Carolina and East Carolina. To be eligible for a bowl, State must win three of four, and to do that the Pack has some problems to solve.

A SLOW-STARTING OFFENSE

The Pack scored nine points in the first quarter against Appalachian State in the opener. Its first-quarter production in the past seven games: three points.

In the ACC losing streak, State has outgained all three teams in total offense and has a total of 36 more plays. But the Pack was shut out the first 40 minutes at Maryland and scored its only touchdown at Virginia with 4:48 to play.

"We have had a problem scoring in the first quarter," coach Chuck Amato said. "Why? We don't know. We're scratching our heads, too. We've tried everything in the world to get a better first quarter. It comes down to not making mistakes early."

Amato said game strategy and play calls weren't the cause.

"It has nothing to do with play-calling," he said. "It has to do with penalties. ... Plays have to be executed."

State has been outscored 33-12 in the first quarter. The Pack has not scored more than 24 points in a game and is averaging 18.5 points, ninth in the ACC.

While many fans may clamor for a more aggressive approach, with quarterback Daniel Evans flinging the ball early, Amato insisted the offense must be balanced.

"You need to mix it up," he said. "You can't just do this or do that. When you're balanced it makes things more difficult, and that's what we're trying to do."

THE RASH OF PENALTIES

State has had at least one offensive penalty in 12 of its 34 possessions in the past three games. The offensive line was called for six penalties at Maryland, then seven at Virginia.

"We've got to correct the mistakes -- holding penalties, false starts," senior lineman Leroy Harris said. "Pre-snap penalties are killing us. The West Coast offense works better when it's not first-and-15 or second-and-long. That cuts our playbook down a lot."

A few weeks ago, the line was being touted by Amato as perhaps the Pack's best since 2002. Many good things were said and written about the O-Line.

"Things like that get to your head a little bit," guard Curtis Crouch said.

During the Virginia game, senior tackle Jon Holt and junior guard Kalani Heppe went to the bench. Junior Luke Lathan came in at center and Harris shifted from center to guard.

"We liked that look," Amato said. "We liked that look at the beginning of the year before Luke got hurt. He was out three or four weeks [with a concussion] and Kalani did an outstanding job. We're going to see how things go this week in practice."

State is ninth in the ACC in penalty yardage at 56.5 yards per game.

THE TURNOVER MARGIN

Since DaJuan Morgan's diving interception to clinch the win over Florida State, the Pack has caused one lone turnover -- a Maryland fumble on a kickoff return. State, in the past three games, has turned the ball over five times.

For the season, the Pack has 16 turnovers while forcing six. State is 118th among the 119 Division I-A teams in turnover margin, ahead of only North Carolina.

Amato said the Pack would re-emphasize the need for forcing turnovers this week, keeping "score" in every drill.

"We do drills in practice: strip drills and tip drills," Brown said. "We go out and talk about stripping the ball and doing things like that. I guess it didn't happen last week."

Early in the game, Virginia quarterback Jameel Sewell fumbled at the Cavaliers' 20. The ball was loose, Sewell and State linebacker LeRue Rumph both scrambled after it and Sewell yanked the ball in. Those are the battles the Pack defense must win.

SHAKY KICKING GAME

In recent games, senior John Deraney has missed field goals, an extra point, had some weak punts and not consistently put kickoffs deep enough for touchbacks.

Amato said Deraney, physically, is fine. But Deraney's father suffers from multiple sclerosis and Amato has said the seriousness of the situation at home has had an effect on his kicker.

"I think he's pushing himself too much because he wants to do so good for his dad watching him at home," Amato said.

"He won't use that as an excuse. ... Three of four weeks ago, if we had to pick an MVP, he would have been it. Before the season's over he still might be."