RALEIGH, N.C. — N.C. State’s defense was one of the best in the ACC last season.
With 10 starters back, the group has bigger goals for 2022.
“We hold ourselves to a high standard,” safety Cyrus Fagan said. “I feel like we can be the best in the nation.”
Last season the Wolfpack finished No. 21 nationally in total defense, allowing 336.1 yards per game. The last time N.C. State led the nation in total defense was in 2004.
On paper, the Pack has the potential to be the best defense coach Dave Doeren has fielded during his time in Raleigh.
“So many things, if all the things stay like they are, yes,” Doeren responded when asked if this was his best N.C. State defense. “But we have a long way to go and the health factor and all those things. If we can keep these guys on track we have a chance to be really good on defense.”
N.C. State finished 2021 third in the ACC in total defense, trailing Clemson and Syracuse. By the end of the year, Doeren was down multiple starters on that side of the ball. Entering this season, everyone is back and healthy.
“We have all the tools in place,” All-ACC safety Tanner Ingle said. “We have the talent on defense and we just have the fire and passion.”
Getting to the quarterback
Last season, N.C. State was just fifth in the ACC in sacks (33). Part of that is scheme. The Wolfpack uses a 3-3-5 defense and keeps quarterbacks off guard with blitzes everywhere from the linebackers and defensive backs. While very disruptive — with linebackers Drake Thomas and Levi Jones leading the team in sacks last season — N.C. State needs to find a way, specifically with its front three, to get the quarterback on the ground more. Pittsburgh, last year’s ACC champion, was second in the nation with 54 sacks. Georgia, the 2021 national champion, had 49.
N.C. State was tied for 36th in the country.
Defensive linemen Davin Vann (four sacks last season) and All-ACC nose guard Cory Durden (3.5) will lead the charge up front this season. They’ll be joined by junior Savion Jackson, who is returning from a knee injury.
“Playing 3-3-5 we have a lot more linebackers and skill guys,” Jackson said. “When we are holding our gap, we have linebackers flying behind us making plays. Us as defensive linemen, we can make plays also.”
Emphasis on turnovers
N.C. State picked off 15 passes last season, good enough for second in the ACC. But the team only recovered two fumbles.
Some things just didn’t go in the Pack’s favor. For example, last year against UNC, Daniel Joseph beat his man, turned the corner and stripped Tar Heels quarterback Sam Howell. The ball landed right under a UNC player, who covered it up.
In fall camp, the Pack defense has put an emphasis on getting the ball. While the team breaks out its “Takeaway Bone” for a forced turnover during games, Jackson said players are rewarded with treats such as candy bars during practice.
“Interceptions and caused fumbles change the game,” Jackson said. “That’s one thing that our defense holds super high.”
Stats that matter
N.C. State’s defense was like a brick wall for 80 yards of the field last season. When opponents entered the red zone, that wall collapsed.
The Wolfpack was No. 7 in the ACC in red-zone defense, with teams scoring 83.9% of the time. N.C. State gave up 19 touchdowns inside the red zone. In its three loses, Pack opponents were a combined 10 for 10 in the red zone.
Another problem the team had was getting off the field on third down. The Pack was fifth in the nation in third-down percentage. Against Wake Forest, with the Atlantic Division title on the line, the Demon Deacons were 10-for-19 on third down.
Part of improving that number, cornerback Shyheim Battle said, is just football IQ. Over the summer Battle got in the film room and tried to get better at understanding down and distance, knowing where the sticks are and learning what plays teams tend to run in those situations.
“That’s going to be the difference in us being a nine-win team,” Battle said. “And being undefeated or a 10-plus win team.”
