NC State’s run game ‘got better,’ RB Kendrick Raphael continues to grow

Through the first two games, NC State coach Dave Doeren was not pleased with the Wolfpack’s rushing attack. The Pack was inconsistent on the ground with 79 rushing yards in the first three quarters against Western Carolina and 39 total yards on the ground against Tennessee. 

But since then, it has shown a slight improvement, including 179 yards at Clemson, which Doeren appeared to like. Although there has been some growth to get the Pack’s yards per carry number to 3.9 through the first six weeks, Doeren thought NC State had plenty of work to do. 

“There are improvements in some ways,” Doeren said Monday. “Am I happy with it? No.”

NC State logged 62 rushing yards on 27 carries (2.3 yards per attempt) against Northern Illinois’ stout defensive front two weeks ago. The Wolfpack followed that up with 105 yards against Wake Forest, who entered the game with the most rushing yards allowed per game (184.8) in the ACC this season in a 34-30 loss this past weekend. 

But Doeren thought that was a byproduct of throwing the ball more on run-pass options, giving up the opportunity to have an explosive run on some looks. 

“If you watch the game, our game plan was there were some runs where we threw the football,” Doeren said. “We took the numbers, took the leverage. Had we handed off some of those, there could have been some pretty explosive runs if you look at how the box was on some of those plays. 

So what has Doeren liked over the first half of the season when it comes to running the ball? He can explain that fairly easily. 

“I’m happy with how hard the receivers are blocking,” Doeren said. “I think Kendrick Raphael is running really hard and physical, making plays with his feet. I am happy with that part of it, but we can get better there.”

Raphael, the Wolfpack’s sophomore running back, has shown his growth over the past six games. A year ago, Raphael was thrust into the Pack’s starting tailback spot four games in as a freshman after Jordan Houston elected to redshirt. 

The Naples, Fla., native rushed for 251 yards with a touchdown on 67 carries in his first season of college football. But with an improved offseason, Raphael has appeared to establish himself as NC State’s most consistent running back this fall. He has been the team’s leading rusher in three of the last four games, including a career-best 90 yard effort at Clemson.

That came from a summer of work, where Raphael added 10 pounds of muscle to not only withstand hits from collegiate defenses, but to help himself in pass protection too. 

“A year under my belt helped me a lot,” Raphael said in fall camp. “Just adapting to the offense. It helped me a lot, especially gaining the right weight and speed.”

Through the first half of the 2024 season, Raphael has logged 251 yards and three touchdowns on just 43 carries. In addition to almost matching his rushing total from last season in half the time, Raphael has already surpassed his freshman campaign with 14 missed tackles forced (12 last season), five 15-plus yard runs (three in 2023) and 15 first downs (13 a year ago). 

Raphael leads the Wolfpack in yards per attempt (5.8), broken tackles (eight), missed tackles forced, 15-plus yard runs and first downs gained as a rusher this season. He is second on the team with yards after contact per attempt with 3.53, just behind redshirt freshman Hollywood Smothers’ 3.68. 

But in Doeren’s eyes, who watched Raphael in a split back offense in high school that required the running back to act as a fullback at times and play tough, this step forward didn’t shock the 12th-year coach. 

“His work ethic has helped his durability and strength,” Doeren said. “The game’s a little bit slower for him. He’s just got reps. You get better and better [with more experience]. But he’s really competitive. I’m not surprised.”