Coming into the season, there were many questions surrounding the NC State Wolfpack. Most of those questions were directed at the defense. Are they experienced enough? Are they deep enough? Are they good enough to compete in what projects to be an extremely competitive ACC?Through four games the Pack defense has been more of the answer than the question, continuously keeping the team within striking distance and coming up with big play after big play. Their performance, in fact, has them sitting atop the nation, allowing a stingy 201.3 yards per game to their opponents. Yes, you heard that right, NC State has the #1 ranked defense in the nation, however, don't tell that to Tom O'Brien.
"It doesn't really say anything. It's only been four games. If we're there through twelve games then it will definitely say something." he said.
Now, of course, NC State has only played two true division one opponents, but one of those was a South Carolina team who ran up an impressive 37 points on the #21 Georgia Bulldogs. Mike Archer's defensive unit also ranks 3rd in the league in scoring defense, giving up just 14.8 points per game (20th best mark in the FBS this week). In the first three games this season, the Pack had allowed just 28 points, the fewest points allowed in the first three games of the season since 1991, when Dick Sheridan''s squad allowed just three points in the first three contests.
The Wolfpack players are aware of their accomplishment and cognizant of their #1 ranking, however some, like LeRoy Burgess, echo head Coach Tom O'Brien when asked about the Pack sitting atop the nation.
""We knew, but at the end of the day, that's now what we're worried about right now...
It doesn't matter right now to us. What matters to us is stopping the opposing teams offense. At the end of the season, if that still stands, that will be a great accomplishment." he said
While many on the defensive unit are downplaying the ranking, there are some that embrace it and hope to build on it. Willie Young, one of the leaders of this defensive unit has begun a campaign amongst the front line. When the line brings it in after practice or before a game, it's "STATS UP!" that's yelled, referring to the Pack defense adding to it's already impressive numbers. This is a defense that wants to be on the field. A group of guys that want to dictate the flow and outcome of the game. When asked, following the Pitt game, what the defense was thinking when Pitt recovered an errant snap at the 8 yard line with less than two minutes left to play and only trailing by a touchdown, Young responded with a big smile, "It was time to get the stats up, that's all. We weren't thinking about the score."
The confidence of this unit seems to be building each week and they are believing in each other more and more. A confidence and swagger they will need heading into Wake Forest, a school known for their unique running attack. It will be a test for the number one defense in the land, but a test that they are more than ready to take.
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19 Responses to "Wolfpack Defense A National Affair"We just gave up 31 points at home. That's not the #1 D in America.
I blame special teams for alot of Pitts first half points. Remember, the defense was pretty solid in the 2nd half. I think everyone agrees that we can't really judge our defense after only 4 games. But here are a couple questions that I would like to see you guys respond too.
1) Do we have a top 25 defensive team? IMO, YES
2) Where do you guys rank our defense in the ACC? IMO #3 with vtech and miami ahead
I'd like to request that you guys not be so hard on our defense. All they've done is gone out and played hard against their opponents, whether its FBS or FCS opponents. Would you rather they give up 20-30 points to those opponents just so we are ranked more accurately?
While I agree being #1 is meaningless, the D certainly does not suck. They have some new guys and had some injuries, but they stiffened up against a very good Pitt team when needed, even though special teams left them in really bad field position. They are improving, but it appears they can be very good.
I'll tell you this, they are better than the over-hyped UNC defense. But that ain't sayin much.
UNCs defense is actually pretty good. It kinda reminds me of when we had a great defense with mario williams, manny lawson, and those guys but our offense couldn't stay on the field.
yes are defense is top 25 quality
4th in the acc after 4 weeks.
This weekend will be a good test for our Defense bc Skinner is a solid senior qb and they have been doinf well on the offensive side of the ball. Plus they'll be hunger bc they are off to a bad start and its a home game for them. Go PAck!!
Chill this harsh criticism of this article. Granted I think the number one ranking of State's defense is a little gaudy but by no means does that mean State's D sucks. This defense has performed leaps and bounds above what I was expecting coming into this season. I've actually grown confident that our defense can get the job done when it takes the field. I also agree that giving up 31 points to a sub-par Pitt offense is a bit disappointing but considering where the Pitt offense started most of its drives, on our half or very close to our half of the field, it's not surprising they hung 31 points on us. Also this is a State Defense that held South Carolina scoreless, aside from a 10 yard drive set up by an unfortunate Tony Baker fumble.
I guess what I'm trying to get at is that this bunch doesn't suck. Yes they're young and yes a lot of them are inexperienced but they're playing well and improving every game.
Holy smokes Willie was skinny back then. Scary the resemblance between him back then and Mike Glennon now- he-haw.
Man, it's thursday and still I've not shoved my Jose Ole's out there to snack on. I've been like Tom Hanks in Castaway all week so I getting ship shape and will unveil these beauties later this afternoon.
(This is possibly ridiculous to many butI at least know fellow brother ppack3 looks forward to these spicy morsels).
If you look at only FBS teams then we are not even close to the best defensive team in the nation. In Fact, we gave up 390.9 yards/game per USA Today stats. I'm not trying to be negative, but this article really is unnecessary. Carolina is giving up 365.3 yards/game. I would say their competition has been much better. That being said, I think that our defense has just as much if not more potential than Carolina's does. Plus, with us winning the recruiting battle in-state currently, I don't see us losing to UNC anytime soon. It's an issue of pride... The players on State's team from in-state high schools know what this game means, much in the same way North Carolina's players knew what the NCSU/UNC game meant when Chuck Amato was recruiting mainly Floridians. I like the approach TOB has taken and I believe we will make TOB 3-0 vs. UNC this season.
GO PACK!
spierce... the unc game is on Nov 28...
We're talking about wFU this weekend...
Just want to make sure we're all on the same page :-)
Sorry, if the article has not set well with some of you. We are not the only people that have made note of the fact that NC State's Defense is currently ranked #1. Are we actually saying that NC State has the best defense in the land? We are not actually making that claim.
Stats aren't everything, but its not every day that NC State is ranked #1 in total defense. Does that really mean much...maybe not. We thought it was worth noting.
Regardless of your opinion, you can't deny the fact that the defense has shown great promise and great strides from last year, when they were ranked last in the ACC. There is still a lot of the season left on the schedule...let's see where it all pans out.
The first thing I thought when I saw this article was, "Not another article about our #1 Defense." TOB is correct, and Burgess is correct. This means absolutely nothing right now.
Having said that, we could have given up a bunch of yardage and touchdowns to Murry St. and Gardner Webb. We could have been blown off the field by U of SC, and we could have EASILY rolled over for Pitt. Credit the D where credit is due, gentlemen.
The one thing I wonder about with these stats is...does it not take into account how many turnovers we've forced? By my count, we've forced ONE!! I could be mistaken, but the interception against SC is the only forced TO that I recall. Please, someone tell me that I am wrong, and explain to me how you can be considered the #1 ranked defense through four games without creating turnovers?
Jose, I like spicy. Probably more than is healthy. You put mango and habanero peppers together, make some sort of sauce out of it and throw it on anything and I am a happy camper. Your famous Ole's will do, in place of a nice chicken wing, though. I do look forward to it.
Support the D. The secondary and two of the LB's are young, but have been impressive at times. They learn from each blown assignment and they are there for each other when one gets down. They are truly a unit, and I believe that you will see solid growth throughout the season.
^^Can I get an Amen?
By the way, did anyone read the article over at Backingthepack.com about Grobe pulling the red-shirts off of three freshmen. He is activating two safeties and one corner who are true freshmen, for the NC State game. Huh? They must be talented. Or, their safeties and (at least one of their) corners suck! I could see our big receiving core winning a lot of jump balls in that scenario. I could also see a lot of missed tackle once anyone, especially T. Baker, breaks into the open field.
Again, if our Defense plays well, we beat Wake, period.
WPH, no need to apologize for stating a fact. Statistically, NCSU is #1 in the country. Arguing with that is kind of silly.
Most agree we have not played well or up to our potential, despite that we are still statistically very good.
From the 2 games I watched, this year's defense looks better than the last 2 years, with the exception of missed tackles, a problem that I don't think will be a trend.
Don't worry about the D. Special teams and turnovers will rule our destiny.
Ok first off everyone needs to chill out!!! This is a great article and all that WPP is trying to do is bring to light the fact that we have the number 1 D in total defense. If we do or dont have the best D in the country our D is obviously up for debate but no matter what you think our D has made great strides in the right direction this season. On another note this one goes to you ppack3, we have forced 4 turnovers and are +1 in total turnover margin. So actually we on average force one a game! Well done WPP I appreciated the article. GO PACK!!!
Mr. Wolf, Thanks for the post. I must be getting old. Can anyone tell me when the other 3 turnovers happened? Meanwhile I'll be checking out some stats to refresh my aging memory. I have been to every game...Geez. I guess that's (subliminally) why I DVR the games and review them a time or two. Damn those non-televised games!
Lemon and George both have one int. Leroy Burgess has 2 fumble recoveries.
LOL at Willie... anybody think that was a little dig at UNC's D and their "Swagger Up"?
Thx WPP for that extra info I didnt know who exactly had what on those turnovers. Anyway Great Article and lets go Pack!!! This is the most important game this year. Out of conference is over and now its time to start winning those early in conference games to get a head start on our division.
Playing up our #1 ranked defense reminds me of the time I actually heard Tony Haynes say we had beaten the defending national champions. Yes, he was referring to App. State, the defending 1-AA national champions!
It's great that we're ranked #1 (for now) and all, but I don't think it's worth bragging about yet. It was kinda like Carolina fans bragging about their 3-0 record after not really playing anybody that was any good. You set yourself up for a fall. In a couple of weeks, when we're a lot further down the list, some might say in jest, "How's that #1 ranked defense working out for ya!"
I do think the defense is much better than people expected. Especially when you consider at least three of our expected starters are either out for the season or left the program.
But I'm still concerned about our defense. We tend to give up the big play too often. I'm worried Skinner might expose us this weekend. I just hope our offense outscores theirs.
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