{"id":24777,"date":"2019-10-13T08:00:14","date_gmt":"2019-10-13T12:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordoncollegefootball.com\/?p=24777"},"modified":"2019-10-12T21:22:20","modified_gmt":"2019-10-13T01:22:20","slug":"nc-state-offense-still-looking-for-answers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/collegefootball\/2019\/10\/13\/nc-state-offense-still-looking-for-answers\/","title":{"rendered":"NC State Offense Still Looking For Answers"},"content":{"rendered":"

Sometimes it isn’t always pretty, but as the NC State Wolfpack showed on Thursday night, a win is a win. Last year, when the Wolfpack played Syracuse, the two team’s combined for a total of 92 points and 1,102 yards of offense in a 51-41 Syracuse win. However, this offensive explosion wasn’t to be repeated on Thursday, as the Wolfpack won a sloppy game, 16-10. When it was all said and done, there were 600 yards in punts alone. But as head coach Dave Doeren<\/strong> said with a chuckle, “We were able to score enough points to win.”<\/p>\n

NC State Offense Still Looking For Answers<\/h2>\n

NC State came into this game against the Orange looking for answers to a multitude of offensive questions. There were times on Thursday when it looked like some of those questions were being answered. But once the Wolfpack took a step in the right direction, they seemed to take two steps back. The offensive struggles in the second half and the inability to score in the red zone almost cost them a win in a game that they should’ve won comfortably. Quarterback play also continued to be questionable, and the only offensive touchdown came on a pass from receiver Thayer Thomas<\/a><\/strong>. But luckily for the Wolfpack, the defense continued to shine \u2014 only allowing 10 points and recording eight sacks.<\/p>\n

Quarterback Play<\/h3>\n

Bailey Hockman<\/h4>\n

After a gutsy performance against Florida State in week five, sophomore quarterback Bailey Hockman<\/strong><\/a> was named the starter for the match-up against Syracuse. Hockman did enough to help the Pack win on Thursday, but his performance left a lot to be desired. However, it should be noted that this was Hockman’s first career start, and rookie mistakes are to be expected.<\/p>\n

What Hockman did provide for NC State, was the ability to throw the ball downfield. Coming into this game, the Wolfpack had completed just ONE pass of 20+ air yards. On Thursday, the Pack completed three passes of 20+ air yards \u2014 two of them completed by Hockman. The FSU transfer finished the game 16\/27 for 205 yards and one interception.<\/p>\n

\n

And here's Bailey Hockman's 37-yarder to Emeka Emezie. Good throw, gave his WR a chance to make a play, and then Emezie made it. pic.twitter.com\/0XuUaDAuOx<\/a><\/p>\n

— Joe Giglio (@giglio_OG) October 11, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n