INSIDE THE GAME
It turns out that N.C. State's ACC-best season numbers against the rush (62.8 yards per game) entering Saturday's game at Boston College were deceiving.
The Wolfpack's statistics were skewed because of two games against Foot7ball Championship Subdivision opponents, plus two ACC foes in Wake Forest and Duke that didn't try to run because they had so much success passing.
Sophomore Montel Harris made N.C. State look bad against the run, too. He posted Boston College records with 264 rushing yards and five touchdowns in a 52-20 shellacking Saturday at Alumni Stadium.
GAME BALLS
LB Mark Herzlich: Boston College player is sitting out the season as he battles Ewing's sarcoma; N.C. State's $10,000 donation to a foundation that's fighting the disease was the Wolfpack's lone feel-good story during a dismal week.
WR Jarvis Williams: Tied a career high with seven catches, which gained 62 yards and the Wolfpack's lone touchdown of the second half.
PENALTY FLAGS
When opponents are putting up big-time points, N.C. State can't settle for field goals in the red zone.
The Wolfpack had to do that twice in the second quarter after Russell Wilson threw too high for George Bryan in the end zone on one series and scrambled for only 4 yards on a third-and-8 on another.
LOOKING AHEAD
Coach Tom O'Brien gets a much-needed extra week to prepare N.C. State for Florida State on Oct. 31.
As in the past two seasons, O'Brien will try to resurrect his team with a focus on fundamentals and a reevaluation of personnel, especially on defense. But O'Brien and defensive coordinator Mike Archer have tried so many combinations, especially in the secondary, already.
It's difficult to imagine they will come up with an answer for a defense that's given up an average of 50.5 points over the past two games.
Get the biggest news in your email or cellphone as it's happening. Sign up for breaking news alerts.
While there will be bonus time to draw up a game plan for Thursday's trip to Duke, the break also comes at a good time for C.J. Williams. 
N.C. State's 61-52 ACC victory against Georgia Tech on Thursday was built on the memories of what happened the last time the two teams played. 
N.C. State’s 61-52 ACC victory against Georgia Tech on Thursday was built on the memories of what happened the last time the Wolfpack and Yellow Jackets played. 
The Wolfpack cannot lose this game and still harbor serious hopes of earning an NCAA bid based on its regular-season resume. 
If it weren't for that little home stumble against Georgia Tech, N.C. State might be very much on track for the 11 ACC wins their coach - astutely - thinks it will take to make the NCAA tournament. 
The first sentence of the foreword to "Duke Sucks," a newly released book that's jammed full of disdain for the Blue Devils basketball program, offers the following Tar Heel blue assertion: "The best thing about hating Duke University is that you never have to explain yourself." Keep up with the latest sports stories with our free e-mail newsletters, delivered to your inbox!
Subscribe to Sports - it's free!
Subscribe to Hurricanes - it's free!
Subscribe to College Sports - it's free!
Subscribe to Duke - it's free!
Subscribe to ECU - it's free!
Subscribe to NCSU - it's free!
Subscribe to UNC - it's free!
Subscribe to Wake Forest - it's free!
Subscribe to Preps - it's free!
