UNC Scouting Report: NC State Wolfpack
By Ben Coley
Each week of the season, we at Keeping it Heel will conduct a scouting report on UNC’s opponent. This week, we scout the NC State Wolfpack.
The North Carolina football team has plenty to celebrate – first Coastal Division title, first 10-win season since 1997, and a top-15 ranking within the AP, Coach’s and College Football Playoff polls. But celebration and satisfaction are two different concepts. Against N.C. State, North Carolina not only has a chance to have an unblemished ACC regular season record, but they’d also win the unwritten state championship. So a lot is still on the line for the Tar Heels, and the Wolfpack would love nothing more than to ruin UNC’s chances at a playoff spot or New Year Six Bowl.
Big Brissett
Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett is 6’4’’, 231 pounds. He is a hard guy to take down. And he has plenty of mobility. In 2015, Brissett has attempted 93 rushes for 376 yards and three touchdowns. He averages nearly 16 yards a carry. In last season’s 35-7 beat down, Brissett rushed 14 times for 167 yards and a score. One of those runs was 60 yards.
In the passing game, the junior signal-caller is efficient – he’s thrown for 2,242 yards, 17 touchdowns, but only three interceptions. He is fifth in the ACC in passing yardage and tied for fourth in passing touchdowns. To continue the comparison with last season’s game, Brissett was exceptionally efficient versus UNC – 9/11 for 66 yards and three touchdowns. He is certainly a threat with both his hands and feet. Cornerbacks Des Lawrence and M.J. Stewart will certainly have their hands full, but I’m sure they will be up for the challenge.
Utility Back
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Sophomore Jaylen Samuels is a serious threat as both a receiver and a running back. He has 324 rushing yards and seven rushing touchdowns – he is second on the Wolfpack in both categories, only trailing injured running back Matthew Dayes. He is also the leading receiver on the team, and it really isn’t close. Samuels leads the Wolfpack with 58 receptions, 502 receiving yards and seven touchdown receptions.
More from UNC Football
- UNC Football: One step closer to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- 5 Predictions for the UNC football vs. Pittsburgh football clash
- UNC Football: Using Different Narratives to Win Games
- UNC Football: Nate McCollum named ACC Wide Receiver of the Week
- UNC Football: Players of the Game versus Minnesota
The next closest receiver in either of those categories is junior wide receiver
, who has 28 catches for 377 yards and three touchdowns. Another thing to note about Samuels is that he has a very low center of gravity – he is 5’11’’ and 236 pounds. He is basically a bowling ball. Just for a comparison, he is an inch short than Elijah Hood and weighs about 15 more pounds. He will run UNC linebackers and defensive backs into the ground if they try to tackle high.
Rose to the Occasion
Wolfpack defensive end Mike Rose is having as good a year as any other defensive player in the ACC. He leads the Wolfpack with 15 tackles for loss, and he is second in the ACC with 12 sacks. The defensive end also has five quarterback pressures and two forced fumbles. He is undoubtedly a First Team All-ACC candidate and also an ACC Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
Fortunately, UNC’s offensive line brings experience and has done an excellent job of protecting Marquise Williams all year. But there cannot be mistakes with the read-option exchange or missed blocking assignments. UNC does not want Rose in the backfield with a free shot at T.J. Logan or Hood.