NC State’s offensive line rose to Dave Doeren’s challenge, looking to continue it against Duke

NC State coach Dave Doeren wanted to challenge each position group during the Wolfpack’s open date two weeks ago. He knew each part of the Pack’s roster had a place to improve since the team sat with a .500 record through its first eight games. 

When it came to the Pack’s offensive line, Doeren believed the unit could play in better harmony. It wasn’t one player on the front that consistently made mistakes, but the errors that did occur were snowballing. This was the time for the group to improve before NC State’s final four games as it is looking to end the season with five consecutive victories. 

And the unit did just that. 

NC State’s offensive line, paced by Notre Dame transfer center Zeke Correll, allowed just three quarterback pressures in the Pack’s 59-28 win over Stanford this past Saturday. It also displayed immense push in the run game, opening holes that a semi truck could drive through for NC State running backs Jordan Waters and Hollywood Smothers. 

The result was the Wolfpack’s most points scored in an ACC game in program history and two 100-yard rushers in the same game for the first time since 2021 as Waters logged 115 with two scores and Smothers had another 100 and two touchdowns. So, the message was received. The Pack’s offensive line came through when it was needed against a Stanford front that had caused issues for other ACC squads this fall. 

“Offensive lines that play well, play well together,” Doeren said earlier this week. “I thought our guys did a really great job with that in this last game. Picking up a lot of movement, stunts, they played multiple fronts. … Our tackles did a great job against the defensive ends and that was not the case throughout the season. We’ve improved in that area.”

How did the group improve during the week off? It took Doeren’s task personally as the unit wanted to post a better representation of its play than what was on film before. 

“We really took it upon ourselves to really have fun out there and play together as one,” graduate left guard Timothy McKay said Wednesday. “Offensive line is a group where you have to be together. You can’t have one guy messing up — all five have to be on the same page.”

NC State’s tackles, Jacarrius Peak and Anthony Belton, helped set the edge, while Correll anchored the middle of the line like he has all season. The former Fighting Irish offensive lineman has allowed just two quarterback pressures during the 2024 campaign, both resulting in hurries. 

While the starting five played well together, which included left guard Anthony Carter Jr., the Wolfpack was able to mix in redshirt freshman Kamen Smith at guard. He played on the left side, while McKay was substituted off the field and Carter slid into the right side. 

Smith, a former three-star recruit out of Wilkesboro (N.C.) Wilkes Central High, was able to play 23 total snaps — 14 with the starters and nine with the second unit. He did not allow a pressure in eight pass-blocking opportunities as Smith earned his first offensive snaps of his collegiate career 

The 6-foot-5, 323-pound interior offensive lineman was floated as a possible impact player on the front this preseason, and while he has not been able to crack the starting group, Smith did show his potential against the Cardinal. 

“Kamen’s come a long way,” McKay said. “Him getting a lot of reps last game, seeing him progress has been really cool for me to see. He’s out there just having fun, playing his game and letting it loose. He has a bright future for sure.”

Smith’s emergence with the starting group signaled a positive sign for the future as NC State’s offensive line is littered with players in their final year of eligibility. Belton, Correll and McKay are all in their last weeks in Wolfpack uniforms after long college football careers. 

This weekend’s game against Duke will mark that trio’s final home game, and the unit will likely have the same mentality it had coming out of the open week. The veterans owned their errors through the first eight weeks, and they want to close their collegiate careers strong. 

“I feel like as a guy in his sixth year, and having senior guys on the offensive line, it’s our job to hold the offense to a standard,” McKay said. “We didn’t do that in the previous games. Being able to do it in the Stanford game was really important for us. We took it personally and are excited to continue it this week.”