Matchups: Hoping to get back on track, NC State facing an uphill battle against Pitt
N.C. State is in need of a bounce-back performance Saturday afternoon and the situation doesn’t shape up all that appealing for the Wolfpack.
The assignment sends the team on the road to face No. 24 Pittsburgh at Heinz Field.
Pittsburgh is aiming for a 4-0 start for the first time in 20 years — or back when the Panthers were members of the Big East Conference.
This is an ACC encounter just a week after N.C. State’s lopsided loss at Virginia Tech.
“I know this team has been through a lot,” Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. “They’ll fight and stick together and fight even harder.”
The Wolfpack takes on a nationally-ranked opponent for the second week in a row.
This is N.C. State’s eighth season under Doeren’s direction. His Wolfpack squads have won October road games just twice. One of those came three years ago at Pittsburgh.
The Panthers have veteran presences at critical positions on offense and defense. N.C. State tends to rely on many players who are trying to emerge into key roles.
The Wolfpack quarterback position seems in question entering the third week. Devin Leary could be in line to replace Bailey Hockman as the starter.
In six of the past seven seasons, N.C. State’s first ACC loss has been followed by a defeat in the team’s next conference game.
“It’s an opportunity to face adversity here early in the season, and I look forward to seeing how they respond,” Doeren said.
By the numbers
Records: NC State 1-1 (1-1 ACC); Pittsburgh 3-0 (2-0 ACC)
NC State offense: 34.5 ppg | 424.5 ypg | 220 passing ypg | 204.5 rushing ypg
Pittsburgh defense (allowed): 10 ppg | 177 ypg | 121 passing ypg | 56 rushing ypg
Pittsburgh offense: 33.0 ppg | 391.3 ypg | 248 passing ypg | 143.3 rushing ypg
NC State defense (allowed): 43.5 ppg | 440 ypg | 208.5 passing ypg | 231.5 rushing ypg
N.C. State run game vs. Pitt run defense
The Wolfpack needs to churn out yards on the ground because that alleviates pressure on the passing attack. N.C. State didn’t have much of an opportunity to put emphasis on the ground assault as it faced such large early deficits last week at Virginia Tech. Running back Zonovan Knight has gained more than 90 yards in both games this season. The Panthers take pride in being strong along the front and the ability to shut down opponents from running the ball has been one of the keys. Of course, the sacks recorded have helped reduce the team’s overall yards allowed on the ground.
N.C. State pass game vs. Pitt pass defense
The Wolfpack hasn’t been clear about who will be the starting quarterback, but there are pretty good hunches that Devin Leary will make his first start of the season. He missed the opener after a limited preseason because of quarantine. Bailey Hockman had a hot hand in the opener, but after connecting on his first 12 throws of the season, his numbers have declined – 11-for-27 with three interceptions. Devin Carter’s seven catches are tops through two games for the Wolfpack. The biggest obstacle for N.C. State’s passing attack might be Pittsburgh’s pass rush, which has produced 17 sacks this season. Defensive ends Patrick Jones II and Rashad Weaver both have 3½ sacks. They’re two of seven seniors in starting roles on Pittsburgh’s defense. Yet the overall defensive standout might be safety Paris Ford, who’s part of the junior class. Ford, who has a reputation as a big hitter, has two interceptions this season.
Pitt run game vs. N.C. State run defense
The Panthers’ longest running play of the season has gone for 21 yards. But seven different Pittsburgh players have at least one carry of 10 or more rushing yards. It’s mostly a committee approach in terms of rushing yards as in 2019 and 2020 combined there have been only two games (both last season) when a Pittsburgh player gained 100 or more rushing yards. N.C. State didn’t get a good handle on Virginia Tech’s ground assault, but with linebacker Payton Wilson returning to the field after an injury that should help. It’s hard to tell how the Wolfpack is equipped to stop rushing attacks because in the opener Wake Forest rang up decent numbers on the ground despite trailing most of the game.
Pitt pass game vs. N.C. State pass defense
Panthers quarterback Kenny Pickett has competed 66 percent of his passes, an improvement from his 62 percent rate from 2019. He has started in 30 career games for Pittsburgh. Receiver Jordan Addison’s 21 receptions reflect more than twice as many as any other player on the team. He’s a true freshman with two of the Panthers’ five total touchdown catches. Pittsburgh also has D.J. Turner, a senior who transferred from Maryland when the Big Ten originally postponed its season. Turner has a touchdown catch for the Panthers. The Wolfpack’s secondary was dented from several sources in the Virginia Tech game. The return of junior safety Tanner Ingle from injury is bound to help, at least in terms of experience. But with defensive back Teshaun Smith gone for the season after shoulder surgery, the Wolfpack is counting on depth. Malik Dunlap is expected to start at a cornerback position.
N.C. State special teams vs. Pittsburgh special teams
With 13 consecutive made field goals, N.C. State kicker Christopher Dunn holds the fourth-longest streak nationally. Senior kicker Alex Kessman of Pittsburgh has 261 points (only seven away from second place on the school’s all-time list for kickers). Kessman’s eight field goals of 50 or more yards are a school record. Half of N.C. State punter Trenton Gill’s 10 attempts have gone for 50 or more yards.
N.C. State intangibles vs. Pitt intangibles
N.C. State has won the only previous ACC matchup, claiming a 35-17 decision in 2017 at Pittsburgh. “I haven’t forgotten that game,” Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi said this week. Pickett, the current Pittsburgh quarterback, played three series in a backup role in that game.
The Wolfpack might be wise to be productive early in this game. Pittsburgh has yielded only three points total in the second half this season.
Pittsburgh has settled in with home games as this is the fourth outing at Heinz Field. The Panthers have only two more home games the rest of the way.
As a visiting team in NFL stadiums (so not counting bowl matchups), N.C. State is 2-0 all-time, including the 2017 visit to Pittsburgh.