NC State Hits The Road For The First Time This Season As They Visit Marshall

After playing two straight games at home that included a postponed game last weekend because of Hurricane Florence hitting the Carolina’s NC State who is member of the Atlantic Coast Conference will have their first road game of the season Saturday when they visit Marshall who is a member of Conference USA.

NC State comes into the game with a record of 2-0 while Marshall also comes into the game with a record of 2-0.

As for NC State’s previous game, they beat Georgia State.

QB Ryan Finley threw for the second-most passing yards in his career, and a pair of NC State receivers went over 100 yards receiving, as NC State defeated Georgia State 41-7 at Carter-Finley Stadium. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
Finley completed 31-of-38 passes for 370 yards and two touchdowns, while Thayer Thomas had nine catches for 114 yard and a score and fellow wideout Kelvin Harmon had eight catches for 129 yards. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
Georgia State opened the contest taking the opening drive for a touchdown for the early 7-0. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
NC State responded on its first drive, also marching down for a touchdown, which led to 41 straight points for the Wolfpack. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
The Pack's scoring started with a Ryan Finley to Thayer Thomas 5-yard TD pass in the first quarter, followed by a Christopher Dunn 25-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Reggie Gallaspy, Jr., run it in from 1-yard out, and Dunn tacked on a 28-yard field goal as time expired to give NC State a 20-7 halftime lead. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
In the third quarter, Finley added his second passing TD of the game, 1-yard to Trent Pennix. RB Brady Bodine tacked on a 39-yard rushing score, and QB Matthew McKay ran the ball in from two yards out, both in the fourth quarter for the final margin. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football

WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE – 1st half
7 plays, 57 yards in 2:57 – Finley to Thomas 5-yd TD "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
After Georgia State took the opening drive of the game into the end zone, NC State responded on its first drive with a 7-play, 57-yard drive to even the score. On third down, Ryan Finley found WR Thayer Thomas for a five-yard score, his second straight game with a TD. On the drive, Finley was 4-of-5 for 48 yards, while Thomas had three catches for 34 yards. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football

WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE – 2nd half
8 plays, 72 yards in 3:26 – Finley to Pennix 1-yd TD "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
The lone points in the third quarter came after an 8-play, 72-yard drive that resulted in a Ryan Finley to Trent Pennix 1-yard TD pass. On the TD drive, Finley was a perfect 7-of-7 for 69 yards. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
STAT LEADERS
QB Ryan Finley
31-of-38 for 370 yards and 2 TDs "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
RB Brady Bodine
5 rushes for 50 yards and 1 TD "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
WR Thayer Thomas
9 catches for 114 yards and 1 TD "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
WR Kelvin Harmon
8 catches for 129 yards "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
LB Germaine Pratt
7 tackles, 1 sack "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
NOTABLES
• NC State's 541 yards of total offense were the most since the Syracuse (544) contest in 2016. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
• With his third quarter touchdown, QB Ryan Finley moved sixth place all-time in the NC State record books with 39 career touchdown passes. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
• Finley also threw for over 300 yards for the second straight game, finishing with 370. That marked the 12th time in his career he has thrown for over 300 yards, moving him into a tie for second place all-time with Russell Wilson, only behind Philip Rivers, for most career 300 yard games. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
• NC State had a pair of receivers go over 100 yards each: Kelvin Harmon (129) and Thayer Thomas (114). It marked the first game two Pack receivers went over the century mark in the same game since last year against Clemson. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
• Harmon's 129-yard receiving game was the seventh of his career, moving him into third place in career 100-yard receiving games. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football
 
• Thomas' 114-yard receiving game was the first for a Wolfpack freshman since Kelvin Harmon against against Syracuse in 2016. "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football

FROM THE LOCKER ROOM
"I'd like to start by thanking our fans for the white out today. Hopefully they enjoyed that opportunity. Again, back-to-back hot weeks. Good win for our football team, 41-7. A lot of stuff, first time things happening, guys scoring their first touchdowns and making big plays." - NC State head coach Dave Doeren "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football

With the win NC State moves to 2-0 on the season "according to https://gopack.com/schedule.aspx?path=football while Georgia State dropped to 1-1 on the season. "according to http://www.georgiastatesports.com/SportSelect.dbml?SPID=5671&SPSID=53628 "according to https://gopack.com/news/2018/9/8/football-aerial-attack-leads-nc-state-to-41-7-win-over-georgia-state.aspx?path=football

As for Marshall’s previous game, their game this past weekend at South Carolina was cancelled because of Hurricane Florence. They last played on Saturday September 8th and defeated Eastern Kentucky.

There were turnovers on punt returns, and another on a mishandled kickoff return. An extra point was blocked in the first quarter, and a punt blocked in the fourth. A bobbled pass turned into an interception, and the giveaways piled up. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

None of those blemishes were what Marshall head coach Doc Holliday focused on the most in the wake of a 32-16 win against visiting Eastern Kentucky on Saturday night here at Joan C. Edwards Stadium. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

"You don't ever want to apologize for a win," he said to the media gathered in the Shewey Building. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

Holliday's Herd is, after all, 2-0 through the first two weeks of the regular season. That was the goal, of course, even if the road there wasn't as smooth as Holliday or anyone else associated with the Marshall football program would have liked. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

"I was disappointed in some things that happened out there today," Holliday said. "That's not normally us." “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

Holliday is correct. In his nine seasons at the helm, Saturday was the 13th time his team has committed four or more turnovers. After the win against EKU, Holliday's record in those games is 2-13. It is not often a team can overcome as many self-inflicted wounds, but that is what breathes life into Holliday's unapologetic words. The other win with four turnovers: Conference USA's 2014 title game against Louisiana Tech, a 26-23 Herd win. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

"We found a way to win the game," Holliday said, "which is what matters." “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

It seemed, at the outset, that Marshall might get to its goal with ease. The Herd (2-0) opened a 6-0 lead when redshirt freshman quarterback Isaiah Green connected with junior receiver Obi Obialo for a 20-yard touchdown. The extra point was blocked. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

A few minutes later, senior receiver Tyre Brady caught a 6-yard touchdown pass from Green, who was making his second career start. Brady has 11 career touchdowns in 14 games since joining the Herd. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

After holding a 13-0 lead, EKU cut the deficit early in the second quarter when LJ Scott scored from 2 yards out. The Herd answered when Tyler King scored from 5 yards out following a 29-yard interception return from senior linebacker Frankie Hernandez. That was Marshall's third interception of the first half, with others by sophomore safety Brandon Drayton and junior cornerback Jaylon McClain-Sapp. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

That is how Marshall managed Saturday night. A fumble or folly was neutralized by a defensive stop of takeaway. The Herd is 5-0 under Holliday when it turns over the opposition at least five times. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

"We put (the defense) in a lot of bad situations," Holliday said, "but they created five turnovers." “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

The Herd held a 20-6 halftime edge and was prepared to return the kickoff to start the second half, but the ball was booted around and recovered by EKU. The Colonels scored with 12:28 left of the third quarter to make it 20-13, making the 24,304 a little uneasy on dreary night. Marshall answered with a five-play, 55-yard scoring drive that was punctuated by another Green-to-Obialo hook-up, this one from 40 yards. Both of Obialo's catches went for touchdowns – the first two of his MU career – and both came on so-called "free" plays in which the defense jumped offside and allowed Green to throw to the end zone and let Obialo make a play. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

MU kicker Justin Rohrwasser added a 35-yard field goal midway through the fourth quarter to make it 30-13. A Herd safety with 3:06 left made it 32-16. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

Overall, Green finished 23 of 39 passing for 278 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He has 550 passing yards this season, the second-most for any Marshall quarterback in program history through his first two career starts. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

Brady led MU in receptions (six) and receiving yards (66) again. Sophomore tight end Xavier Gaines added three catches for 60 yards, both career highs. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

The ground game sputtered, and sophomore receiver Willie Johnson carried twice for 36 yards to lead the team. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

"We didn't run the ball as well as I like," Holliday said. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

The defense made amends. EKU was held to 11 first downs, 139 rushing yards (a week after gaining 404 on the ground) and 48 passing yards. The Colonels' 187 total yards of offense are the fourth-fewest allowed by the Herd under Holliday, who has been the coach for 105 games. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

Senior linebacker Chase Hancock paced the defense with 12 tackles, one sack, one tackle for a loss and a forced fumble. Junior safety Malik Gant added 11 tackles, including one for a loss. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

The team finished with six sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 11 quarterback hurries. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

Senior defensive lineman Malik Thompson finished with a sack, tackle for a loss and three quarterback hurries. He also tipped a pass at the line of scrimmage that led to an interception. “according to https://herdzone.com/news/2018/9/8/football-mcgill-defense-to-the-rescue-as-marshall-tops-eku.aspx?path=football

Kick-Off is set for 7:00pm from Joan C. Edwards Stadium. The game will be televised on CBS Sports Network. “according to https://gopack.com/schedule.aspx?path=football