Miami - NC State Gameday Vitals

Game Day Vitals

• NC State Wolfpack (3-1) vs. Miami Hurricanes (3-1)

• Time: Noon

• Series Record: UM leads 7-5-1

• Last Matchup with UM: 2008 – NC State 38, UM 28

• Location: Sun Life Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL

• Television: ESPNU

• Tickets: HurricaneSports.com

Opponent Information

• NC State Wolfpack (3-1)

• Head Coach: Tom O’Brien

• Season Results:
  • Tennessee 35, NCSU 21

  • NCSU 10, UConn 7

  • NCSU 31, S. Alabama 7

  • NCSU 52, The Citadel 14

• Offensive leaders
  • Passing: Mike Glennon (982 yds, 6 TD, 4 INT)

  • Receiving: Quintin Payton (338 yds)

  • Rushing: Shadrach Thornton (145 yds)

• Yards per game – offense: 391.0

• Yards per game – defense: 327.75

• Official NC State website: GoPack.com

• SB Nation NC State blog: BackingThePack.com

After 781 (ok, just 2…but still) conference road games to start the year, the Canes play a game in their home stadium against a team that can fight back, as they finally open their home conference slate against the Wolfpack in a nooner at the SLS. The Canes enter on a high, coming off a roller-coaster-esque 42-36 OT victory in Atlanta where they blew a huge lead, then overcame a huge deficit on the strength of Stephen Morris’ arm, the tough running of Mike James, and a young defense that grew up quickly and made big plays when it mattered in the second half. Conversely, the Pack enters the game relatively untested, winning three straight over UConn, South Alabama, and the Citadel after a season opening 35-21 stinker against Tennessee in the Georgia Dome.

QB Mike Glennon tossed four picks against the Vols, and the defense gave up far too many big plays. Even All-American DB David Amerson was dreadful. The Pack settled in over the next few games, although wins over South Alabama and the Citadel tell next to nothing. Their secondary is experienced, with all four starters being juniors or seniors. State can move Amerson around, so Morris will have to account for him on every snap. He can be the shutdown, difference-making player that the Jackets lacked last week.

Even though they have a 167/132 run/pass ratio this year, State ultimately goes as Glennon does, and like most good QBs, he can pick you apart if given time. His top target is junior wideout Quintin Payton, a big receiver at 6’4, 210 lbs. Much like the Canes, the Pack has found lightning in a bottle early in true freshman RB Shadrach Thornton. He started last week due to injuries to starter Tony Creecy and James Washington and, like Duke Johnson, made the most of the early opportunity with 145 yards on the ground.

Miami’s defense will have to be prepared for a heavy dose of the State running attack and its stable of backs. The Canes will reportedly be without LB Denzel Perryman again, so it will be another opportunity for Eddie Johnson to do the heavy lifting as the big hitter behind the front four….where Anthony Chickillo will be looking to give Glennon the same rude treatment he gave Tech’s QB last Saturday.

Can Miami stay grounded and focused after such a thrilling win last week? Which defense will show up....the first/fourth quarter version from last week, or the second/third? Who really is NC State.....the preseason ACC darkhorse, or the team that was smoked by a quality opponent Week 1 in all phases of the game? We'll find out in a matter of hours.