‘Everybody can run the ball’ but can NC State run it well enough this season?
Brennan Armstrong transferred to N.C. State this year knowing little about Jordan Houston and Michael Allen, Demarcus Jones II and Delbert Mimms III.
The Wolfpack quarterback now is well-educated on the Pack’s four returning running backs from last season. And Kendrick Raphael, a freshman.
Armstrong’s impression?
“We’ve got a lot of depth in the running back room,” Armstrong said after practice Tuesday. “You’ve got a lot of older guys who have played and have experience, so that’s a huge plus.
“Everybody can run the ball, but understanding certain pass protections, routes and things like that, they’re very skilled and it’s going to help me out a lot.”
Everybody can run the ball but who can run it and pick up the first down when it’s third-and-2 in the fourth quarter of a close game? That’s a critical question for every offense and the answers are not known until the backs go out, prove they can get the yards and do it consistently.
The Pack’s most physical running back, Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, transferred after last season. Houston, a senior, is 5-11 and 190 pounds. Allen, who played as a true freshman in 2022, is listed at 5-9 and 205 pounds.
Armstrong said Houston’s size can be misleading, saying, “He’s strong and he’s fast.”
And Allen?
“Super hard worker and great out of the backfield,” Armstrong said. “He understands the offense, which is great. It’s always nice to know the guy next to you knows the offense, too … We’ve got a lot of smart guys in that (running back) room.”
Pack seek balance
Armstrong, a graduate transfer from Virginia, is expected to air it out this season as the QB and offensive coordinator Robert Anae look to recreate the Cavaliers’ prolific offense in 2021. Anae called the plays and Armstrong made the plays, passing for 4,449 yards and 31 touchdowns, completing 65% of his throws.
But the Wolfpack needs more offensive balance – one reason Anae was brought in by Pack coach Dave Doeren.
N.C. State was 12th in the ACC in rushing last season at 113.8 yards a game. Average gain per carry: 3.3 yards.
The Pack, 8-5 in 2022, had eight rushing touchdowns all season. Only Boston College, with six, had fewer in the league.
Anae was already hired but did not coach in N.C. State’s bowl game against Maryland last December. He watched as the Pack mustered 27 yards rushing in a 16-12 loss to Maryland in the Duke’s Mayo Bowl in Charlotte.
As quarterback Ben Finley put it after the game, “You can’t get an offense going if you can’t get the run game going. You’re behind the chains all game.”
High on Anae’s list in spring practice: fix it.
“That’s a big priority in Coach Anae’s offense (and) he has a lot of different schemes,” offensive tackle Anthony Belton said Tuesday. “Showing we can be balanced in the pass and the run will be good for us, just showing how versatile we can be as a whole offensive line group.”
New faces on O-line
Gone from last year’s O-line are center Grant Gibson and tackle Chandler Savala, a fourth-round draft pick by the Carolina Panthers. Another departure was offensive line coach John Garrison, who was replaced by Garett Tujague, who left Virginia after last season and has brought new vitality to the group.
“He’s a very vocal guy, and he’s big on big-man leaders and he wants us to bring the energy to get the whole offense going collectively,” Belton said.
Dylan McMahon took over at center when Gibson was injured late in the ‘22 season. The Pack also could line up for the Aug. 29 opener at Connecticut with Belton and Timothy McKay at the tackles and Derrick Eason and either Lyndon Cooper or transfer Dawson Jaramillo at guard.
The Wolfpack was fourth in the ACC in sacks allowed in 2022, protecting the four quarterbacks who eventually had to play – Finley the fourth in line. Armstrong will be counting on that same kind of protection this season, from the line and the backs, and the Anae offense also allows for quick outlet throws to offset a strong rush.
“Compared to last year there’s going to be a lot more routes for the running backs and a lot more passes caught by the running backs,” Houston said Tuesday.
And on third-and-1?
“At times you have to rely on the run game,” Houston said, “and you just have to have that confidence in yourself and just keep pounding.”
This story was originally published August 9, 2023 at 6:00 AM.
