{"id":24302,"date":"2019-09-27T10:00:46","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T14:00:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=24302"},"modified":"2019-09-26T20:33:39","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T00:33:39","slug":"nc-state-preparing-for-first-acc-clash","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2019\/09\/27\/nc-state-preparing-for-first-acc-clash\/","title":{"rendered":"NC State Preparing For First ACC Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"

After finishing up non-conference play at 3-1, the NC State Wolfpack look to build on their first four games as ACC play begins. The Pack started 2-0 with dominant wins over Eastern Carolina and Western Carolina. But things didn’t go as smoothly when they traveled to West Virginia for their first test of the season, losing 44-27. After the loss to the Mountaineers, head coach Dave Doeren<\/a><\/strong> promised a \u201cvery angry\u201d version of his football team versus Ball State in Week Four. However, the Wolfpack’s mediocre performance against the Cardinals was anything but impressive, winning 34-23. \u201cIt wasn\u2019t pretty, but it was a good win,\u201d said Doeren. As a result, Doeren will hope to see his team correct previous mistakes in the upcoming game against the Florida State Seminoles (2-2) and start ACC play on the right foot.<\/p>\n

Wolfpack Preparing For First ACC Clash<\/span><\/h2>\n

Offense Looking for Rhythm<\/h3>\n

Once the Wolfpack’s competition increased after week two, the offense has looked like anything but a well-oiled machine. Although they put up 27 points on the road in Morgantown, sophomore quarterback Matt McKay<\/a><\/strong> struggled (23\/48, 207 yards), and the Pack mustered only six points in the second half. McKay’s accuracy was imprecise, and his receivers didn’t do him any favors. The team was hoping to clean this up against Ball State, but it didn’t happen. As a consequence, they had five dropped passes in the game and scored just one offensive touchdown in the second half to go along with five first downs and only two completed passes.<\/p>\n

Doeren compares the offensive struggles to missing layups. \u201cI\u2019m more concerned about the layups we\u2019re missing,\u201d Doeren said. \u201cWe throw a great pass to Emeka and he doesn\u2019t catch that ball. Those are the kind of plays [that hurt us].”<\/p>\n

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An example that Dave Doeren used of a layup NC State needs to make on offense. The first play of the third quarter pic.twitter.com\/NBPFmchaM6<\/a><\/p>\n

— Joe Giglio (@YellowPadStats) September 25, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n