N.C. State won't attempt to reinvent the wheel for South Alabama on Saturday.
The Wolfpack defense, which after two games ranks 112th nationally against the pass, won't make any personnel or structural changes, coach Tom O'Brien said Wednesday.
"We're in the right things," O'Brien said. "We have the same coaches and same philosophy as last year. We need to get better execution."
O'Brien said a lack of pressure on the quarterback was the biggest issue in last week's loss at Wake Forest, which State's defense gave up 337 yards in the air. Combined with Liberty's 295 yards in the opener, State has given up an average of 316 passing yards per game, which is only better than Miami in the ACC and eight teams nationally.
O'Brien was pleased with the team's work in practice, after giving them two days off.
"There was more intensity, certainly a sense of urgency," O'Brien said. "That's a good sign."
Comments
Frustrated with Wolfpack football?
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 21:55 — JPDOhioHere are some alternatives:
Go Pack! Beat the Jaguars!
no
Fri, 09/16/2011 - 11:47 — SurferI am totally satisfied w/ Wolfpack Football.
Picking up the pace?
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 01:37 — ncsfeddieWhy does it take a loss to what should be an inferior team for us to pick up the pace? What I am growing tired of is the consistent lack of intensity in these types of games. Even with Russell it was the same thing against ECU last year, we played an entire quarter before the team realized the game had started. I just don't understand how any team with the limited amount of success we have had can go into any game expecting to win. In my opinion this is all on the coaching staff. They are responsible for making sure the team is ready to play and that they bring the same intensity every game. Good teams win the games they are supposed to period, no excuses. Great teams win those and the games that are coin flips. I for one am getting tired of the mediocrity and excuses. How many "elite" teams would go more than a decade without a win at Wake? TOB still has a LONG way to go.
Whoa
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 12:03 — gvillegatrHow dare you put the blame on TOB ! Shame, shame.
Still lots of football to be
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 22:00 — growupStill lots of football to be played. Glennon will be fine. The DL has been a disappointment. If they can't pressure the QB, the pass defense is almost non-existent, like we've seen. We'll get some players back in October. We have to weather the storm.
really?
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 21:38 — gevaliaMad_max,
You are kidding right? The game at WF would have been drastically different if Russell Wilson had been at quarterback.
I was in the stands Saturday and State had NO offense the first 2+ quarters. A major contributor to that was Glennon's inability to move in the pocket and find open receivers. he threw to covered receivers all day, but particularly in the first half. Wilson would have scrambled, run and/or given the receivers time to get open. He did it for 3 years (and is doing it for the Badgers). By moving the offense we would have scored (to help keep up with Wake) and he would have given the defense more time to rest and organize. I fully believe sat would have been a win with Wilson at QB!
gevalia, Let's see....Rivers
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 23:15 — CoachHgevalia,
Let's see....Rivers lost his senior yr at WF. Davis lost his game at WF. Wilson lost his 2 games at WF when he had better receivers and offensive lines. How do you conclude that Wilson would have won with weaker receivers and OL and the 112th ranked pass defense? Without QB pressure and at least an average secondary you're in for a long day especially against a team that runs counters and gimmicks.
Bottom line is if want to win you better have a good defense.
Perhaps, but...
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 21:52 — ncdawg09There's no hopping in a time machine and getting him back. I think Wilson is outstanding and I hated to lose him. But, what's done is done. I was there Saturday and for sure Glennon did not lose the game - that was a team effort. Piss poor play by our tight ends, coupled with the backup DL, and generally crappy defense. The plain truth is that the team has gotten away with riding the coattails of RW and Nate Irving. All of the remaining players minus those two are going to need to start showing up.
Here we go again.
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 16:30 — Wuffpak66TOB is not going to build anything here at State. We are in his 5th year... These are his players, and have to say not a real great list of players and not much coming up.... We all know the ACC is not the strongest football league and we basically fall right in the middle.. Without Russell we can expect to have another very avg season, which is a TOB normal. Just google Tom Obrien record and see how well he did at BC... Same old same old
What?
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 17:43 — mad_maxMost of this comment is so far off that it's not even worth addressing. Did TOB go to 8 straight bowls at BC? Pretty sure we would like that success down here. Also, Russell Wilson wouldn't have done a damn thing to make us win last week...unless of course he started playing defense. I get the feeling this is an imposter fan, seeing as how he registered with ACCNow a week ago.
Go take a look at his history
Sat, 09/17/2011 - 12:46 — Wuffpak66Pull his history up and see his conferene record in the Big East. Yes the Big East, a football league weaker than the ACC. Avg as it gets... And what has he done here same old same old... Yes we can beat the Libertys and South Alabama. ( Well I hope we can beat them). With the players he has recruited we arent going to get any better. What I find so funny is how satisfied people are to go to some dumb ass bowl game when your record is 6-6, 7-5. Its just like the 5 year old soccer league when the last place team gets a trophy.
Do Wolfpack fans have any expectation, any goals? Or does it all come down to just beating Carolina....Interesting fact I read in an article... The history of NCSU football... we only have a winning record against 2 teams in the ACC..What does that say? we are at the bottom with Duke, VA and Wake....Don't see things changing either..
Simple response
Sat, 09/17/2011 - 13:22 — mad_maxIt takes time to build a program. Last year, TOB coached this team to a 9-win season...tied for the second highest win total in school history. Also, the Big East wasn't always the joke that it is today. Remember, they used to have VT and Miami (when they were good).
You contradict yourself when you say that TOB isn't getting it done, and then turn around and point out NCSU's history (or lack of). Again, I don't think you are really a Pack fan, and if you are, you've probably only been following them for a year or two.
20 plus year fan
Sun, 09/18/2011 - 15:03 — Wuffpak66Max, your living in thre clouds...Your one of the State fans thats happy beating Carolina and going on with your life..The big east has been one of the weakest leagues in the country for 10-15 years, with the exception of yes, Miami and VT, I"m sure TOB never beat them either..If you think TOB is going to build a progtram your crazy... He is sitting in his recliner waiting for retirement. No contradiction comment made... The History of NCSU football in the ACC... They have only a winning record against 2 teams., this is not going to change with TOB. He has been here 4 years and only 1 winning season so far.. This year is still in question. if we lose to either Central Michigan or Cinncinnati, Odds are another losing season.. And Max, we all know why we had a winning record last year.. yes RW.. of course that was not his recruit.. Get ready to be avg to below avg for another 5 years..
Don't get caught up in when the guy signed on or what his name i
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 21:05 — gvillegatrListen to the message.
Boston College ALLOWED Toby to leave. They felt they could get more than eight wins a season. BC really hasn't changed that much since he left, but I feel like the bottom is getting ready to fall out.
My concern (like y'all care !) is three things. 1.) the offensive line. If that's not a concern of the Wuffie I simply don't know what is. Toby was known for massive guys playing on the o-line at BC. There hasn't been a hint/sniff of at least three solid o-linemen that Toby has recruited period.
The 2nd is QB. I guess you can say this position is still an unknown, but Glennon has only put together one great quarter of play out of eight and the competition has been less than average. What we do know about is Glennon's lineage. It's more miss than hit and, so far, that's the road Glennon Lite is headed down.
The third thing is RB. He had some solid guys at BC over his ten or so seasons. In five years he hasn't produced squat at RB.
Fourth, he's beaten UNC four times in a row. Cant deny that. At least two of those were luck, but none the less they're still losses.
have to disagree
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 23:07 — izzykareemAbout the:
OL: Not a concern at all. They didn't allow a sack and there were only two hurries against WFU last saturday and Wake brought more people against the QB than Liberty did. This year, you have 3 guys who have played but started out playing different positions. Crisp was top lineman in the nation as a recruit and Mattes was the best in NC and in the top 10 as a tackle. We are also avg'ing about 5yds per carry.
QB: Again, not a concern. Not when a guy throws for 315 yards and almost leads a comeback being down 3 TD's in the second half.
RB: A little more of a concern, but not really. Mustafa Greene last year, who didn't start, and was a true freshman, ran as well as we've had a guy run in a long time. And our backs this year, are avg'ing 6.5 and 4yds per carry.
It was close against Liberty and we lost to wake for the simple reason we couldn't get pressure on the QB with the 4 down lineman on D. It's very simple. When a good QB has all day to throw it to receivers, it doesn't matter how good your 2nd'ary is, they'll get burned or nickle'd and dime'd to death.
Keep thinking that
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 11:55 — gvillegatrAnd you'll really be beside yourself at the end of the year.
The message
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 21:38 — JPDOhioI think is one of panic. Anyone paying attention knew that State would need time this season to get in sync, and that was before losing 3 on the D-Line to injury. I just think it is premature to basically give up after 2 games coming off a pretty successful season.
That said, the concerns you listed are legit. Regarding the O-Line, it is disturbing that Robert Crisp, the prized recruit of TOB's tenure, has not cracked the starting lineup. Glennon will be fine, I think, and if Mustafa Greene can stay healthy, State is fine there too.
It is true, however, there is uncertainty. This Saturday isn't likely to tell us anything, unless State struggles again, which will probably put me on the bandwagon. I think South Alabama is going to pay for State's struggles up to this point and the Pack will cruise. The following Thursday night game at Cincy will give us a better idea of the Pack's progression (or lack thereof).
They'll be fine
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 21:47 — ncdawg09Biggest problem on Saturday was lack of pressure on the opposing QB. Three out of four starters on the DL injured plays a big role. Tenuta will have to bring more LBs into the mix. Saturday's loss had nothing to do with Glennon - he was throwing some excellent balls out there. Where I have been surprised is how poorly the tight ends have played, particularly Bryan. Granted he made an outstanding one-handed catch, but he has had butter-fingers many times. Catching by Bryan or Carter should be AUTOMATIC. Tight ends have fingers as big as sausages. I think State's schedule gives some time for things to sync, so injured guys a chance to heal, and everything else will work itself out.
State's schedule
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 15:56 — SurferOkay, I am staying completely out of any discussion on this subject.
Bryan
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 11:52 — gvillegatrThis guy reminds me of a guy I knew at ECU who also played football and was also perceived as one of the best on the team ... Mark Libiano.
Mark's problem was he didn't think his sh*t stunk. Big ego an attitude problem. Most of the game he was farting around and the other times he was making great plays on defense. I was tired of the farting around bc of his potential.
Now I don't know Bryan as a human being like I knew Mark Libiano, but every vibe I get when he is interviewed an what I have seen of him on the football field is an ass. He has that "my sh*t don't stink" attitude. He doesn't come across as a team player either. But he has some talent, no question.
Dude needs to get his act together if Glennon Lite is gonna live up to his potential.
Agree and disagree
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 01:53 — ncsfeddieI agree with your comment about lack of pressure on the QB, but that opens a whole other can of worms. Yes we are missing 3 D linemen but that's no excuse. If your defense is centered around the D line pressuring the QB, how long do you wait before making an adjustment. We kept up the same scheme all day with the same result, Wake threw it all over the field. Where is the coaching? It reminds me of the Maryland game last year when we let one wide receiver beat us all game with no adjustment. I just don't understand the lack of adjustment especially when injuries force you to play second string guys that may not be able to execute the primary game plan. Again, where is the coaching?
Something missing?
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 15:21 — SurferTOB, "Shoot, now where did I put that box of cereal?". No worries TOB, with South Alabama's record, odds are they will lose at some point.
Note: If, by chance, NCSU is down at halftime and Gottfried decends upon C-F via parachute with a box of Lucky Charms in hand, I will eat my shoe. ha ha
be careful surfer
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 22:57 — izzykareemUNC fans have had to live up to some promises making statements like "no way they ever let Butch go, if they do, i'll <insert action they didn't they'd have to do>."
no worries
Thu, 09/15/2011 - 15:54 — SurferI would love to see Gottfried do as I described, it would be well worth it.
a week late but better than
Wed, 09/14/2011 - 13:00 — dar456a week late but better than never. we'll see how this new found sense of urgency translate onto the field. hopefully this will be the start of something strong.