NC State football: What they’re saying after the Wolfpack’s win over VMI
NC State coasted past the Virginia Military Institute for its second win of the fall on Saturday afternoon, and it did it in a relatively stress-free way.
Here are the most interesting excerpts from media outlets that covered the Wolfpack’s win over the Keydets.
Ethan McDowell, TheWolfpacker.com — Complementary football helps NC State mask mistakes vs. VMI
Some troubling tendencies still crept up during the contest. VMI recorded a pair of passing plays that went for 40 yards or more. Quarterback Collin Shannon also missed tight end Aidan Twombly on a couple of plays that would have gone for explosive gains.
VMI went into the matchup with 11 tackles for loss on the year against 2 FCS opponents. Against the Pack, the Keydets recorded 8 stops behind the line of scrimmage.
Despite those concerns, defense and special teams touchdowns bolstered the Pack’s scoring output, and all three phases of the game helped each other out when they needed it. Nickel Robert Kennedy III secured an early interception, and his teammates set up their blocks well to assist his dash to the end zone.
Noah Fleischman, TheWolfpacker.com — Robert Kennedy wants more as he gets first taste of impact plays on NC State’s defense
Kennedy finished the day with four tackles, including 1.5 sacks. But while that’s the most he’s had with the Wolfpack this season, Kennedy isn’t satisfied with one standout performance.
“I would say I’m probably one of the more confident dudes on the team, but I don’t always just say it, it’s kind of in me,” Kennedy said. “It obviously builds confidence, but, I’m a ‘want more’ type of person. One-and-a-half [sacks], why can’t that be three? And then one pick, why can’t it be two or three? I just feel like I’m a ‘more’ type of person, so it could always be more.”
Kennedy is driven, and more may be in store for him and the rest of the NC State defense with the Wolfpack preparing to open ACC play at Virginia next week.
Jadyn Watson-Fisher, The News and Observer — NC State football rebounds in a big way: Wolfpack runs over VMI, 45-7
There have been questions about the defense’s ability to stop opposing teams from picking up explosive plays, and that still remains a concern. An explosive play in this instance is defined as a pass of 15-plus yards or a rush of 10-plus yards.
The Wolfpack gave up five big plays to the Keydets. Two passes were good for more than 40 yards each. N.C. State’s defense also allowed a VMI rusher to advance 24 yards.
The Keydets added passing plays of 16 and 22 yards. The 22-yard pass, despite pressure on quarterback Collin Shannon, led directly to VMI’s lone touchdown.
Ethan Bakoguannis and Ben Ellis, The Technician — NC State football takes care of business, romps VMI 45-7
Following last week’s game that featured a nearly two-hour weather delay and a fourth-quarter meltdown, this was a nice change of pace for NC State football.
The sun was out, the weather was nice the whole time and NC State was in control from beginning to end, making quick work of VMI 45-7.
The Wolfpack (2-1) scored touchdowns on offense, defense and special teams and dominated the Keydets (1-2) in nearly every aspect of a game that was all but over by halftime.
“It was great to get a win and play so many guys — things we really wanted to focus on,” said head coach Dave Doeren. “I felt like we improved in those areas. No turnovers on offense, score in all three phases. … To get a touchdown in all three phases is really good for the guys.”
