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NC State posts 41-0 shutout of Western Carolina
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) N.C. State's defense held Western Carolina to 106 yards in a 41-0 shutout on Saturday and also was credited with helping get freshman running back Zonovan Knight on track.
Coach Dave Doeren said that Knight read too many of his press clippings during the summer. But after being challenged by the defense in training camp, Knight has bounced back quickly. He scored a touchdown on his first carry in the season opener, and ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries Saturday at Carter-Finley Stadium as N.C. State improved to 2-0.
''I think our defensive kids got after him and put him back in his place,'' Doeren said. ''And he had a really good finish to camp. He thought it was going to be easy. But it's not easy. It's hard. It's hard to get yards.''
Western Carolina (0-2) suffered its 10th straight loss in a streak that dates back to 2018, and was short-handed after suspending four players for the game for violating team policies. Starting quarterback Tyrie Adams, the preseason Southern Conference offensive player of the year, was suspended along with starting left offensive guard Matthew Bair, starting nose tackle Adam Henderson and reserve Elijah Hall.
''We had a lot of distractions this week with some stuff happening within the program to where we left some guys back at home,'' said Western Carolina coach Mark Speir. ''I thought we came out and played extremely hard in the first half. Our guys fought and battled. We just ran out of gas in the second half.''
After giving up two first downs on Western Carolina's first drive, the N.C. State defense dominated. The Wolfpack limited Western Carolina to six first downs and 8 rushing yards for the game to record its first shutout since a win over Eastern Kentucky in 2015.
''We just manhandled them,'' said N.C. State defensive tackle Alim McNeill. ''We came out strong. We were striking the offensive line. We were just letting them feel our presence and letting them know they weren't going to run the ball on us.''
N.C. State established a physical presence on offense, too, while rushing for 309 yards. Leading just 3-0 in the second quarter, the Wolfpack turned to the ground game to take control. Six straight running plays concluded with a 6-yard carry by Ricky Person for the game's first touchdown.
On N.C. State's next drive, Knight carried five consecutive times for 45 yards, with the final play a 2-yard scoring run. Knight has led the Wolfpack in rushing in each of the first two games.
''Having that experience the past two games, it's definitely boosted my confidence,'' he said.
THE TAKEAWAY
Western Carolina: Despite entering the game with debilitating suspensions, the Catamounts outgained N.C. State in the first quarter and trailed just 3-0 with nine minutes remaining in the second. The game was a struggle after that, but the start gives the team something to build on as the schedule gets easier.
N.C. State: After a slow start on offense, the Wolfpack got better results by relying on its running game and a fast-paced, no-huddle attack. Running backs Knight and Person appear ready to take the load off sophomore quarterback Matthew McKay.
STAR WATCH
Knight, whose nickname is ''Bam,'' showed his quickness with his first 100-yard game and averaged 6.6 yards per carry. ''He's physical,'' Doeren said. ''He gets north-south. He's not afraid to throw his body in there. You see him jumping over guys and diving through and running through contact. He's a 200-pounder, but he runs hard.''
PLAY OF THE DAY
Defensive tackle Alim McNeill crashed into the backfield for a blind-side, first-quarter sack of Will Jones that set the tone for N.C. State's defense in its first shutout win since 2015.
STAT SHEET
In its last three home games, N.C. State has prevented its opponents from scoring a touchdown. That stretch includes lopsided wins over East Carolina in 2018 and in this year's season opener.
UP NEXT
Western Carolina: Plays host to Division II's North Greenville on Saturday.
N.C. State: Visits West Virginia Saturday for its first meeting of the season with a Power 5 opponent.
Copyright 2019 by STATS LLC and Associated Press. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS LLC and Associated Press is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 6 | 32 |
Rushing | 2 | 20 |
Passing | 3 | 10 |
Penalty | 1 | 2 |
3rd Down Conv | 2-13 | 6-14 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 1-2 |
Total Net Yards | 92 | 540 |
Total Plays | 46 | 86 |
Avg Gain | 2.0 | 6.3 |
Net Yards Rushing | 8 | 309 |
Rush Attempts | 19 | 53 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0.4 | 5.8 |
Yards Passing | 98 | 231 |
Comp. - Att. | 15-27 | 22-33 |
Yards Per Pass | 3.1 | 7.0 |
Penalties - Yards | 8-55 | 3-29 |
Touchdowns | 0 | 5 |
Rushing TDs | 0 | 4 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 1 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 1-1 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 10-40.7 | 3-49.3 |
Return Yards | 26 | 24 |
Punts - Returns | 1--2 | 3-24 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 2-28 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
W. Jones
15 QB
|
W. Jones | 15/27 | 98 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
C. Young
5 RB
|
C. Young | 7 | 26 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Spencer
20 RB
|
D. Spencer | 3 | 7 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. Atkins
13 RB
|
D. Atkins | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. Ferguson
45 RB
|
C. Ferguson | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Williamson
16 QB
|
B. Williamson | 1 | -14 | 0 | -14 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Jones
15 QB
|
W. Jones | 4 | -17 | 0 | 0 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
M. Stribling
14 WR
|
M. Stribling | 0 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Absolu
80 WR
|
K. Absolu | 0 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. Mullen
2 WR
|
N. Mullen | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Thorpe
3 WR
|
D. Thorpe | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Young
5 RB
|
C. Young | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Phillips
46 TE
|
A. Phillips | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Spencer
20 RB
|
D. Spencer | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Starr
87 WR
|
D. Starr | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
O. Cosenke
84 TE
|
O. Cosenke | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Patten
6 WR
|
D. Patten | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
R. Johnson
93 DL
|
R. Johnson | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. Dickerson
83 K
|
B. Dickerson | 10 | 40.7 | 2 | 59 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. Patten
6 WR
|
D. Patten | 2 | 14.0 | 15 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
N. Mullen 2 WR
|
N. Mullen | 1 | -2.0 | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
M. McKay
7 QB
|
M. McKay | 18/28 | 200 | 1 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
B. Hockman
16 QB
|
B. Hockman | 4/5 | 31 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
Z. Knight
24 RB
|
Z. Knight | 18 | 119 | 2 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Houston
20 RB
|
J. Houston | 8 | 73 | 1 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Person
8 RB
|
R. Person | 10 | 51 | 1 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. Dabbs
38 RB
|
W. Dabbs | 9 | 43 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. Lesane
85 WR
|
K. Lesane | 1 | 22 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hines
5 WR
|
T. Hines | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Pennix
26 RB
|
T. Pennix | 3 | -1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Hockman
16 QB
|
B. Hockman | 2 | -10 | 0 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
C. Angeline
6 TE
|
C. Angeline | 0 | 4 | 47 | 1 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Autenrieth
42 TE
|
D. Autenrieth | 0 | 3 | 40 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Hines
5 WR
|
T. Hines | 0 | 3 | 36 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Emezie
3 WR
|
E. Emezie | 0 | 2 | 32 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Carter
88 WR
|
D. Carter | 0 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. Lesane
85 WR
|
K. Lesane | 0 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Pennix
26 RB
|
T. Pennix | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. Thomas
87 WR
|
T. Thomas | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. Powell
19 DB
|
C. Powell | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. Fisher
82 WR
|
M. Fisher | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. Parham
28 TE
|
D. Parham | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
E. Collins
83 WR
|
E. Collins | 0 | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
X. Lyas
97 DE
|
X. Lyas | 2-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. McNeill
29 DT
|
A. McNeill | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. Boletepeli
99 DE
|
J. Boletepeli | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. Kante
52 DE
|
I. Kante | 0-1 | 0.5 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
C. Dunn
32 K
|
C. Dunn | 2/2 | 32 | 5/5 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
T. Gill
97 P
|
T. Gill | 3 | 49.3 | 0 | 58 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
15:00 | WCAR 25 | 2:20 | 9 | 39 | Punt |
11:54 | WCAR 26 | 2:06 | 6 | 11 | Punt |
5:15 | WCAR 25 | 2:07 | 6 | 11 | Punt |
0:30 | WCAR 32 | 0:18 | 4 | 13 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:16 | WCAR 20 | 0:44 | 3 | 1 | Punt |
8:24 | WCAR 25 | 1:15 | 4 | 5 | Punt |
3:56 | WCAR 10 | 1:36 | 5 | 16 | Punt |
0:16 | WCAR 14 | 0:00 | 1 | 2 | Halftime |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
11:38 | WCAR 35 | 1:30 | 4 | 5 | Punt |
1:18 | WCAR 35 | 0:08 | 3 | 0 | Punt |
4th | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
10:50 | WCAR 25 | 2:01 | 5 | 7 | Punt |
1:49 | WCAR 35 | 0:52 | 3 | -6 | Fumble |
1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
12:30 | NCST 13 | 0:30 | 3 | 7 | Punt |
9:20 | NCST 44 | 3:50 | 5 | 41 | FG |
2:28 | NCST 21 | 1:18 | 3 | 9 | Punt |
2nd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
14:23 | NCST 20 | 2:03 | 5 | 22 | Punt |
10:55 | NCST 35 | 2:27 | 7 | 65 | TD |
6:28 | NCST 38 | 2:28 | 6 | 62 | TD |
2:15 | NCST 32 | 1:55 | 8 | 68 | TD |
3rd | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |