NC State football quick hits from loss to Boston College

Here are quick hits and notes from NC State football’s 21-20 home loss to Boston College. The game was played in front of an announced sell-out at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh.

Column: NC State football with a night to forget

NC State Football Loses In The Air

NC State finished with 200 yards rushing on 44 carries, and both the primary running backs averaged over 5.0 yards per rush. Meanwhile, Boston College finished with negative-1 yard on the ground. Patrick Garwo, who ran for 1,000 yards a season ago, finished with negative-6 yards on 4 carries.

For NC State, the only higher rushing output this year was the 217 yards on the ground vs. Charleston Southern. That represented a season-low for Boston College.

Yet the opposite unfolded in the passing game.

Boston College redshirt freshman Emmett Morehead threw for 330 yards, matching a season-high for the Eagles in passing output. NC State freshman MJ Morris was held to 135 yards passing. The only time the Pack had fewer yards in the air was vs. Florida State (125), when NC State abandoned throwing the football after an injury to fifth-year redshirt junior starting quarterback Devin Leary.

Injuries Of Note

NC State played this game without two starters — super senior nickel Tyler Baker-Williams and receiver Devin Carter.

Several more players went down throughout the game, but most noticeable were apparent leg injuries to sophomore running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye and super senior center Grant Gibson. The former was banged up on his second carry, one rush after he had gained 8 yards and looked like the Sumo-Karngbaye of earlier in the seaosn.

Gibson was injured when NC State was stopped on fourth and goal at the 1.

Neither returned to the contest.

More Underclassmen Walk

NC State already had announced that seven scholarship players with eligibility remaining were walking on Senior Day, some of them in case they decide to move on after the season.

More notable names were added by Saturday. That included scholarship players fourth-year redshirt sophomore defensive lineman C.J. Clark and fourth-year redshirt sophomore tight end Kam Walker.

In the case of the latter, there are no pro aspirations for Walker, leading to speculation that perhaps he is moving from football after this season.

Also walking was notable walk-on kicker Collin Smith, who is a redshirt sophomore. Smith handles kickoffs and made a 40-yard field goal earlier in the season. However, he apparently will not be in the mix to replace super senior Christopher Dunn.

Dunn made both of his field goal tries Saturday, and in the process set a new ACC record for career made field goals with 89. Dunn is 20-for-20 on the season, with 10 made from 40 yards or longer. He hit a 45-yarder vs. Boston College.

Spotted At The Game

The successful NC State men’s swimming and diving team was honored during the game.

Also confirmed at the contest was Vanderbilt linebacker commit from Kelvon McBride from Mobile (Ala.) Cottage Hill Christian. McBride is on his official visit.

On the sideline was Carolina Panthers rookie Ikem Ekwonu.

NC State Football Freshman Watch

We will keep track of this list throughout the season to see who burns their redshirt from the 2022 recruiting class.

Receiver Terrell Timmons Jr. became the first NC State player to officially burn his redshirt. Quarterback MJ Morris joined him Saturday, and running back Michael Allen is likely to be next when the Pack travels to Louisville next Saturday.

Defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland is knocking on the door after playing in a second straight game to reach three on the year.

If the participation chart is correct, cornerback Jackson Vick played in his first game this season.

Players can play up to 4 games to preserve a redshirt.

• Wide receiver Terrell Timmons Jr. — 6 games (Connecticut, Florida State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College)

• Quarterback MJ Morris — 5 games (Charleston Southern, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College)

• Running back Michael Allen — 4 games (Connecticut, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest, Boston College)

• Defensive lineman Brandon Cleveland — 3 games (Connecticut, Wake Forest, Boston College)

• Linebacker Daejuan Thompson – 2 games (Virginia Tech, Wake Forest)

• Defensive lineman Nick Campbell — 1 game (Connecticut)

• Cornerback Jackson Vick — 1 game (Boston College)

What The Loss Means

NC State football is 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the ACC, while Boston College improves to 3-7 and 2-5.

Boston College now leads the overall series 11-8 and evened the record at 4-4 in games played in Raleigh.

NC State’s 16-game home winning streak was snapped, but for the eighth time in 10 seasons under head coach Dave Doeren the Pack finished with an above-.500 record at Carter-Finley Stadium.

2013: 3-5

2014: 4-3

2015: 3-3

2016: 4-3

2017: 5-1

2018: 6-1

2019: 4-3

2020: 5-1

2021: 7-0

2022: 6-1