Wolfpack Nation was met with a Suprise this week as quarterback MJ Morris decided to redshirt for the remainder of the season. Morris played in four games, winning three of them. He passed for 719 yards and seven touchdowns, but only completed 55.8% of his passes. Now, the Wolfpack turns back to Brennan Armstrong as the signal-caller. Armstrong will look to continue the Wolfpack’s trend of success after the team beat both Clemson and Miami. NC State has matchups against Wake Forest, Virginia Tech, and UNC remaining. So with Armstrong to start as the Wolfpack QB, what does the remaining road look like?
Armstrong’s Expectations: What Will the Wolfpack QB Bring?
The NC State offense has been mediocre at best this season, stemming mainly from questionable quarterback play. Armstrong played slightly better than Morris but certainly did not return to his 2021 form this season. So far, he has 971 yards and five touchdowns but has six interceptions and only a 58.8 completion percentage. Armstrong has a significant advantage over Morris as a rusher, as his 337 rushing yards still lead the Wolfpack this season. Now that he returns as the starter, Armstrong will be focused on limiting the turnovers and being more accurate when throwing the ball. The offense has attempted to get the ball into the hands of standout freshman Kevin Concepcion. Concepcion has 554 receiving yards and six scores. Armstrong will have to continue to get the ball into his hands.
The ground game should improve with Armstrong at the helm, as he has proven his ability to extend drives with his legs. The running back duo of Michael Allen and Kendrick Raphael have averaged 5.1 yards per carry. Adding Armstrong into the mix should allow the Wolfpack to attack teams with the ground attack. Armstrong averages 4.2 yards per carry and was used in designed runs even as the backup quarterback. He is a slightly more accurate passer and a much better runner, so the Wolfpack offense should see some improvement. The biggest concern will be the interceptions. If Armstrong can limit turnovers, the defense should limit opponents and keep the offense in striking distance no matter what.
How Does Armstrong Match Up Against the Remaining Opponents?
Armstrong has a great chance to earn the trust of Wolfpack fans against Wake Forest. The Demon Deacon defense is allowing 133.9 yards per game on the ground. As such, the Wolfpack should rely heavily on the three-headed rushing attack of Armstrong, Allen, and Raphael. Wake Forest is not a great passing defense either, giving up 237.6 yards per game and only having six interceptions on the season. This matchup provides Armstrong with an opportunity to drive the ball downfield well and gain some confidence in his 2nd stint as the starter.
Virginia Tech and UNC are slightly better teams than Wake Forest and will be more of a challenge for Armstrong. However, the Hokies are susceptible to a good ground attack. Armstrong and the Wolfpack will find some success running the ball, but it is still to be seen whether or not he can be a capable passer. The largest test will be in NC State’s final game against rival UNC. While the Tarheel defense is nothing to be concerned about, Armstrong will have his work cut out for him to put up enough points to keep up with Drake Maye. The Tarheel offense is averaging 39.1 points per game, while the Wolfpack put up only 24.7 per contest. Armstrong will more than likely be forced to sling the ball more than he is used to. Thus, Armstrong’s biggest test will likely be his final game, where he will have to put up points with a future top-5 NFL draft pick to win.
Wolfpack Offense Outlook with Armstrong
As an entire unit, the Wolfpack offense gets slightly better with Armstrong at the helm. He is a slightly more accurate passer and a much better runner than Morris. However, the turnovers are a major concern for Armstrong. If he can take care of the football, the Wolfpack offense should produce more points than they have been.
Armstrong likely has four games left in his football career. If there is one thing to be certain of, it is that he will continue to be a great competitor. Armstrong is not afraid to be a physical runner and trusts his arm to make throws even if they are risky. He will have plenty of success if he can be a bit more accurate and get the ball into his playmaker’s hands.
