Once again the NC State Wolfpack were faced with defeat, this time at the hands of Boston College. This was NC State’s eleventh straight conference loss. Not since former coach Tom O’Brien’s last game – coincidentally against BC in November of 2012, have the Wolfpack seen an ACC win.
The Wolfpack managed two touchdowns in the first quarter but were scoreless for the rest of the game. The Eagles defeated NC State 30-14, and did not surrender a lead for the duration of the game.
BC (4-2, 1-1 ACC) leads the ACC in rushing yards and dominated on the ground, outrushing NC State 310 yards to 43 in the win. NC State’s young defense was no match against BC’s veteran offense, allowing a total of 411 yards.
Minutes into the first quarter, running back Jon Hillman ran for ten yards into the end zone for the first BC touchdown. NC State (4-3, 0-3 ACC) responded with a 2-yard touchdown run by running back Tony Creecy. At the end of the first quarter, BC truly showcased their spectacular running game and offensive blocking capabilities with a 47-yard touchdown run by quarterback Tyler Murphy. Murphy completed 12 of 19 pass attempts, threw for 101 yards and rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns.
NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett took much of the blame for the team’s third straight loss.
“It all comes down to me playing better, which I have to come back next week and do,” said Brissett.
Following the game’s 56-minute lightning delay at the beginning of the second half, Brissett threw his first interception of the season when defensive lineman Brian Mihalik returned it to the BC 10-yard line. He had gone 187 attempts without throwing an interception. The same Brissett that was making Heisman-esque plays two weeks ago against Florida State was sacked four times against the Eagles. He left with not much but a 16-yard touchdown pass to tight end David Grinnage to show for. Brissett completed 14 of 30 pass attempts and threw for 174 yards.
The fear is that NC State will go another season without a conference win; the reality is that they need to play better all around in order to avoid doing so. Protection by the offense needs to improve as well as coverage by the defense. The Wolfpack have another chance to break their losing streak when they travel to Louisville next Saturday.
*Section Photo credit to Winslow Townson, Getty Images; Featured Photo (above) credit to Greg M. Cooper, USA Today Sports
