As I did last week, I’m going to share some thoughts on some things I liked and didn’t like based on last night's game against NC State. Hoping to get a clearer picture of where things are tomorrow as we enter Texas game week.
Liked
Defense:
Man, the defense kept the Red Raiders in this one. As @409to806Nback likes to say now, Tech has a respectable power five defense. That respectable defense held NC State to 20 offensive points, and it easily could’ve been less if some luck went their way.
Tech’s defense held Devin Leary, the likely ACC Player of the Year, to 121 passing yards on 15 completions. If you told me that before the game, my next question would be “Is Gameday coming to Lubbock next Saturday for a ranked matchup against Texas?”
The defense was great last night and despite some bad moments against the run, they were the only reason this game was even remotely close.
Malik Dunlap:
Dunlap is one I want to highlight from last night.
In his return to Raleigh to face his previous school, he was the best player in the secondary and had four critical pass break ups, one being in the end zone. Just an all-around great performance from him last night.
If his play can continue to elevate, the Tech secondary can get even better than it is now, which would be astonishing.
Tyrique Matthews:
Matthews is another one I want to speak about after his great performance in relief of the horrifically injured Bryce Ramirez.
After the injury, Matthews came in for his first extended look of the season and made the most of the opportunity. He recorded five total tackles and one for loss and you heard his name called quite a bit on the broadcast.
With Ramirez likely out for a lengthy amount of time, DeRuyter and the defense will need more of the same from Matthews.
Dadrion Taylor-Demerson:
Rabbit had his bell rung late in the third quarter and made a touchdown saving play at the goal line a few plays later after he returned.
He knocked the ball out of Demie Sumo-Karngbaye’s hands through the end zone for a touchback when he had a clear path to score, a huge momentum shifter at the time as it kept the Red Raiders within two scores with a quarter to play.
One of the leaders on the defense came through and he stood out in an overall great performance from the Tech defense.
Touchdown drive in the 4th quarter:
The offense was bad last night, but this one drive made it even more frustrating to me because they showed that they can do it. The confidence level on Smith during this drive was different as well, just all an all-around great drive from the offense.
After you go down 27-7 and the offense being stagnant all night long, whether that’s due to play call, personnel, or execution, you’re able to glide down the field for 75 yards and a touchdown.
It seriously looked like a different offense than the one I was watching throughout the rest of the game. Everything was fluid, Kittley seemed to be calling some of the things he wanted to be calling and they moved the ball with little to no trouble.
The play call on the touchdown is *chef’s kiss*.
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Disliked
The Pick Six & Donovan Smith:
First, here’s the tape of the throw.
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I truly don’t know who this throw was intended for; either Xavier White ran the wrong route or Brady Boyd was extremely overthrown because there was nobody even close to where this ball went. I also want to mention how WIDE OPEN Myles Price is over the middle.
This really sealed the deal in retrospect, Tech was moving the ball for the first time and its all undone by this throw. It took away any momentum the Red Raiders had going their way.
Last night, Donovan seemed uncomfortable and has a lot of work to do if the Red Raiders are going to go very far. The reads are slow, and the pocket presence just isn’t up to par. He has all the talent; it just needs to come together, and quickly.
Timid offense first three quarters:
I think this had something to do with Kittley’s view on the offensive line and even his outlook on Smith.
The offense felt very sluggish up to the aforementioned drive in the fourth quarter and didn’t seem like the same thing that Kittley ran in the past.
Whether this be due to talent or just the scheme itself, someone has to make an adjustment if they have any chance this weekend.
Special Teams:
Boy, special teams killed the Red Raiders once again.
The muffed punt is a back breaker and can’t happen at anytime much less against a ranked opponent on the road. Frye, the main return man, was out last night but against Houston he wasn’t much better.
You eliminate the pick-six and the muffed punt, and you have a tie game going into half-time. This game came down to five plays and four of them went in the way of NC State which ultimately won them the game.
Clock Management (Three timeouts when NC State has 4th & 12 with 2:40 left in the 4th)
This has already been much discussed on here but I think coach McGuire could’ve used his timeouts down the stretch.
I don’t want to call it giving up, because I don’t think that is the correct wording, but it sure felt like it.
Maybe if the 4th & 8 early in the fourth quarter had a more favorable outcome, we would’ve seen a different story play out.
Injuries
Man, that Bryce Ramirez injury was horrific and all I can say his that I’m praying for a speedy recovery from the junior. He worked so hard to get back, dealing with some lingering stuff in camp, and to see that it’s just horrible.
Hopefully the likes of Taylor-Demerson and Muddy Waters are able to shake off their minor stuff during the week and get back for Saturday against Texas.
