NC State locker room notes from the win over UConn

Going into the final non-conference game of the season, with a potential top-10 matchup with Clemson approaching, NC State knew it had to remain focused and take care of business against Connecticut. The Wolfpack did just that, dominating in all phases of the game on its way to a 41-10 win. 

After picking up their fourth win of the season, head coach Dave Doeren, wide receiver Devin Carter and linebacker Drake Thomas addressed the media after the game. 

NC State establishes a productive passing game

Devin Leary was inconsistent during his first two games against FBS opponents this season. In the win over Connecticut, he was composed, accurate and showed off elite velocity on some of his throws. 

“It was good to see Devin [Leary] get in a rhythm,” Doeren said.

He finished the game completing 32 of 44 passes for 320 yards and 4 touchdowns, uncorking a 75-yard pass to Thayer Thomas on the first play from scrimmage and continuing that momentum throughout the night. 

NC State’s high volume of passing attempts was not due to a lack of success on the ground. Offensive coordinator Tim Beck clearly made a concerted effort to get Leary into a rhythm, and it paid off. He did so with a series of screen passes and the occasional deep shot that led to 5 Wolfpack receivers finishing with 5 receptions. 

Devin Carter had his breakout game of the 2022 season, finishing the night with 5 catches for 63 yards and a touchdown. 

“I thought, almost everything we talked about during the week, we got to see,” Doeren said.  “We wanted to see guys make contact catches, and it was great to see Devin Carter play that way.”

“It felt great,” Carter said. “It’s always good to play in the Carter, and it always feels good to touch the ball, but it was just perfect timing.” 

The Pack looks towards Clemson

Now that NC State’s non-conference schedule is complete, a three-game gauntlet of undefeated ACC programs awaits. The Wolfpack start the league schedule in Clemson, and Carter knows it will be a raucous atmosphere. 

“We know it’s going to be a hostile environment, but we’re ready,” he said.

“We play faceless opponents every week, so we worry about ourselves, and that’s how we’re going to take on this week as well.”

Doeren had the chance to watch Clemson’s overtime win over Wake Forest earlier today and offered his thoughts on the Tigers’ performance. 

“I thought their quarterback really played well today,” Doeren said. “That’s the best I’ve seen him play. He was accurate, his guys made plays for him, his O-line protected him, he wasn’t on the ground a whole lot. I thought [Will] Shipley ran really hard.”

Thomas said he is not worried about the hype that will surround next weekend’s contest. After holding the Huskies to 160 yards of total offense, most of which came in the fourth quarter, the linebacker acknowledged the importance of momentum-building games like this one. 

“We wanted to play aggressive, we wanted to play hard, we wanted to play physical, but we like to play confident, too,” Thomas said. “We like to play with a little bit of swagger. I think that’s kind of key to our defense, the way we play and who we are, so going out there and making plays and three-and-outs after three-and-outs, that’s a confidence booster for sure.”

The future of NC State’s running back position looks bright

NC State was missing starting running back Jordan Houston for Saturday’s contest, but the program’s running backs were still productive. Demie Sumo-Karngbaye carried the ball 4 times for 49 yards before leaving with an injury. Doeren said after the game both Houston and Sumo-Karngbaye should be good-to-go against Clemson.

Freshman running back and former four-star recruit Michael Allen made his season debut, leading the Pack with 10 carries for 66 yards. Doeren was complementary of him heading into the weekend and discussed his performance afterwards. 

“I thought he did some good things,” Doeren said. “You saw his speed. He can really run, he’s quick, catches the ball well. He had a couple of receptions out of the backfield, and it was good to get him out there and see how he would be under the lights, and we’re excited about him.”