Behind the Numbers: How NC State’s playmakers paced Pack in comeback win at Cal

or much of this season, NC State’s fan base has asked for its star-studded skill position group to make plays — or be put in the position to do that. And at Cal, with the Wolfpack’s winless ACC record, NC State did just that.  The Pack spread the ball around through the air with eight different pass catchers recording at least one reception — five of them had at least four grabs. That led to success as NC State clawed its way back from a 13-point fourth-quarter deficit to win 24-23 on Saturday afternoon at California Memorial Stadium.  “Are you a player or a playmaker? In these kinds of games, players have to make plays to win, man,” coach Dave Doeren said. “And you saw some of those things happen. … That’s what we’re hopeful for with some of these guys that we recruited, is that they can be explosive players. That was great to see.” NC State leaned on its elite talent on the offense, including redshirt freshman running back Hollywood Smothers, sophomore wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion and junior tight end Justin Joly to make plays. And, well, they rose up to Doeren’s challenge that he quipped postgame.