If N.C. State can contain Syracuse’s running game, quarterback Jacoby Brissett should be able to shred the Orange’s pass coverage.TV: 12:30 p.m. ET, ESPN3.
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Reggie Gallaspy rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown for the Wolfpack (7-4, 3-4 Atlantic Coast Conference), who improved to 8-1 all-time against the Orange. Syracuse might need to turn to third-string quarterback Zack Mahoney again for Saturday’s game after Eric Dungey was injured in a 41-17 loss to Louisville.
The Orange suffered their eighth consecutive loss, six of which have come by double digits. The North Carolina State aerial game is averaging 208.5 yards per game, less than the Syracuse Orange secondary allows through the air, 282.8 YPG per game. The team has competed, such as last week against Clemson, but that might not be enough to save third-year head coach Scott Shafer. “You expect the offense to score, but it’s always a special day when the defense scores, too”. That was essentially the only blemish on the afternoon for Brissett, who peppered the ball to nine different receivers for over 200 yards and two touchdowns.
“I think we fought the whole way but lost our composure, which starts with me, ” Shafer said. ABOUT N.C. STATE (6-4, 2-4): Defensive end Mike Rose (10.5 sacks) is the centerpiece of a Wolfpack pass rush that has helped produce 29 sacks and 73 tackles for loss. “It ended up being pretty interesting”. The Wolfpack scored three times in the first quarter, including Gallaspy’s four-yard touchdown, to jump out 21-3.
In all, the Wolfpack registered 276 yards on the ground.
So there were missed opportunities in the first half, it’s safe to say.
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Defensively, the Syracuse Orange feature the league’s No. 99-rated road run defense, allowing 218.5 yards per game. Syracuse attempted a two-point conversion but failed to convert. But rather than go for it, the Orange instead opted for an 18-yard field goal.
