Holliday: TV spurns ACC leaders as Pack wins, Deacs fall to UNC

By Bob Holliday, WRAL Sports contributor

Dave Clawson views Saturday’s showdown between NC State and his Wake Forest team as a championship game. Indeed, the winner controls its destiny in the Atlantic Division race, though perennial kingpin Clemson still lurks in the background with two losses. But the ACC’s biggest game to date won’t be seen by the largest possible audience. That’s because ABC has chosen to show Notre Dame’s visit to Virginia Saturday night. State and Wake will still play in prime time, but on the ACC Network.

Don’t get me wrong, I personally think ACCN, in just its third year, does a good job, (though I find some on Twitter disagree with me). The point is that ACCN’s audience pales alongside that of ABC or ESPN for that matter.

The ACC’s TV rights holders put both Saturday night games on a six-day hold, waiting for the outcomes of games played last weekend. Maybe if Wake Forest had won ABC would have elected to carry the Atlantic Division showdown, but I doubt it. Notre Dame’s easy win over 2-7 Navy would have probably kept the Irish ahead of Wake in the College Football Playoff rankings even if the Deacons had maintained their 18-point lead over UNC.

The big networks love Notre Dame, both its tradition and its national following. NBC pays top dollar to broadcast the Irish home games. So naturally ABC jumps at any opportunity to televise Notre Dame on the road. Also Notre Dame-Virginia appeals to a broader audience than NC State and Wake, two teams from one region. ABC’s decision helps Virginia as well, since many in the Commonwealth still can’t receive the ACC Network.

If ACC teams were to regularly beat Notre Dame that might earn the league’s full-time members better TV slots; but here in 2021 while Florida State, Virginia Tech and UNC all played competitive games against the Irish, the three came up short by a collective 16 points.

Both Dave Clawson and Dave Doeren believe their teams have been overlooked, even disrespected by pollsters and media. Saturday night’s television decision puts an exclamation point on that.

Pack looks to build on win at FSU

Even without Tyler Baker-Williams, the fifth NC State starter lost to injury this fall, Tony Gibson’s unit dominated Florida State. The Seminoles normally rush for 209 yards per game. Against NC State, the ‘Noles managed a mere 38.

Having made Florida State one dimensional, the Wolfpack kept FSU off the scoreboard until the third quarter. Then McKenzie Milton, subbing for the ailing Travis Jordan who was out with the flu, began to find open receivers against State’s now less experienced secondary. Milton completed five of six passes on Florida State’s opening drive in the third quarter, putting his team in the end zone. Milton followed suit on the second drive, hitting on three of five passes, while his teammates-for the only time all game really-managed to gain some yards on the ground.

Although FSU scored on back to back drives, the Seminoles still trailed. And at no time did they ever get NC State’s defense off balance. In fact, the ‘Noles first touchdown came on an extraordinary play by Milton, who was chased from the 7 yard line all the way back to the 25, yet still managed to fling the ball toward an open corner in the end zone. Keyshawn Helton, somewhat miraculously I thought, moved toward it and made a legal catch, an amazing catch.

In any event, NC State tightened up after that and did not allow FSU to cross midfield again until the game’s final seconds.

Offensively, NC State’s running game looked better, as Bam Knight and Ricky Person combined for 103 yards from scrimmage. Devin Leary again passed with great efficiency, completing 21 of 32 throws for 314 yards and four touchdowns. Technically, Leary’s streak of six straight games without throwing an interception came to an end, but note, the pass FSU picked off came on a Hail Mary at the end of the first half, so NC State suffered no damage.

Leary found some new targets in Tallahassee, as top receiver Emeka Emezie caught just two passes for seven yards, and Devin Carter was not targeted a single time.

C.J. Riley corralled three passes for 77 yards, Trent Pennix made three grabs that he carried for 97 yards, and emerging tight end Chris Toudle hauled in four throws for 49 yards. Also, Leary hit both Person and Knight on passes out of the backfield, adding some diversity to the running game. Most importantly, three of Leary’s touchdown tosses came on big plays.

Too often this season NC State has mounted long drives, where over the course of 75 or 80 yards, one mistake can lead to an empty trip downfield. Against FSU, Leary fed off State’s early success running and used play action to set up C.J. Riley, who was open in the FSU secondary for a 62 yard touchdown. A one play drive. In the third quarter, Leary threw downfield on a run pass option to Trent Pennix for a 45 yard score. The RPO, on a third and one, worked effectively because of Ricky Person runs for nine yards on the two previous plays. In the fourth quarter, offensive coordinator Tim Beck called for a screen pass on third and 10. Leary found Person, who found the end zone 43 yards later. That was a three play drive.

While NC State did what was needed to win in Tallahassee, this week’s visit to Winston-Salem will require a much higher level of play. In a way, it is unfortunate State didn’t get to see Jordan Travis at Florida State. Travis’ ability as a runner on the zone read is what makes the Seminoles ground game go-and much more difficult to defend. Instead the Wolfpack will transition from Milton, who can scramble but is not a threat on a called run play, to Wake Forest’s Sam Hartman and the Deacons’ unique delayed zone read.

Saturday, when Hartman is standing behind his big offensive line, trying to decide whether to hand off to his running back, run it himself, or pull the ball out for an RPO, NC State’s defense could be in for something of a culture shock. Hartman can yield the ball to two talented running backs—Christian Beal-Smith is likely out with an injury, or as he demonstrated against UNC, he can run effectively himself-78 yards. Where he’s most dangerous is throwing on the RPO. Wake’s receivers are as good as any in the league.

This team averages almost 45 points per game and has scored at least 35 in every one of its nine games. On the other hand, NC State has held six of nine opponents to 21 points or less. Only Miami has scored more than 30; the Canes got 31.

NC State can help its offense by running the football effectively and often. Wake sports one of the league’s worst rushing defenses, allowing more than 200 yards per game. UNC pounded the Deacons for 330. Wake defends the pass relatively well and excels at forcing turnovers. Most any NC State path to victory will require some chunk runs and likely 150-175 yards rushing. Or more.

Heels’ comeback does Wolfpack no favors

Saturday in Winston-Salem was never going to be easy for NC State, but following Wake’s failure to hold a double digit fourth quarter lead for the second straight season at UNC, any psychological advantage State might have had is gone. Had Wake won, as it should have, the Deacons would be 9-0, and playing under the pressure of a high national ranking and a shot at the College Football Playoff. Now, Clawson’s team is riled, with its defensive weaknesses thoroughly exposed-and no doubt addressed by the coaching staff in practice this week. NC State will see a more physical and determined team than the one which allowed its opponent to score 24 straight points late in the game at Kenan Stadium.

Meanwhile, UNC suddenly has a chance for a seven-win season, or even an eight win season. And the Tar Heels will carry some momentum with them when they travel to Pittsburgh Thursday night.

But what an unlikely victory Saturday. Star running back Ty Chandler fumbled on the game’s first play, gifting easy points to Wake Forest. Defensive leader Jeremiah Gemmel was ejected for targeting, leaving freshman Power Echols to call defensive signals. UNC’s beleaguered defense committed two penalties on the same play, right before giving up a touchdown pass to A.T. Perry that the big Wake Forest receiver caught with one arm. The Deacons’ Rondell Bothroyd completely blew up a UNC zone read on third and one at the UNC 26, tackling both Sam Howell and Chandler. Tar Heel safety Gio Biggers got fooled on a Wake RPO, leaving Taylor Morin wide open for a touchdown. Safety Cam’Ron Kelly bit on the run as Sam Hartman threw a 66 yard strike to Perry. The Tar Heels were called for a penalty on that play also. By this point Wake led 45-27, leading to multiple posts from UNC fans on Twitter and Facebook calling for the immediate dismissal of defensive coordinator Jay Bateman.

To this point, Wake’s stingy red zone defense had limited Carolina to three touchdowns, two of which came on physical “are you kidding me” runs by Howell. Twice the Deacons forced the Tar Heels into kicking field goals.

But suddenly with 7:38 remaining in the third quarter UNC’s offense became a touchdown producing machine. Howell threw 29 yards to Antoine Green. Chandler, behind blocks from Green and Jordan Tucker, powered his way on the right side for 13 yards and another score. Chandler scored again on the counter trap, motoring 21 yards with help from another Tucker block.

Defensive stops are necessarily a part of any big comeback. The Heels suddenly began to get them. Defensive lineman Myles Murphy broke up a third down pass at the UNC 25, forcing a Nick Sciba field goal. Cam’Ron Kelly intercepted a Hartman pass-his second of the day. And Carolina twice turned the dynamic Deacs over on downs. Ray Vohasek knocked down a Harman pass at the UNC 28-somewhat surprising Clawson didn’t kick there since Sciba makes 45 yard field goals for breakfast. Then next possession on fourth and ten at the WF 35, Hartman’s pass to Perry fell incomplete, thanks to outstanding coverage by the oft injured Storm Duck.

UNC all but iced the game on the next play, a 50 yard run by Chandler. For the afternoon Chandler ran 22 times for 213 yards and four touchdowns. It’s one of the finest performances I have ever seen by a UNC running back and I go all the way back to Don McCauley in 1970. Credit offensive coordinator Phil Longo for sticking with the run even when the Tar Heels trailed by 18. The Heels ultimately wore Wake down in the fourth quarter and bulldozed their way to a team total of 330 yards rushing.

Running room will be harder to find Thursday night at Pitt. The Panthers, along with NC State, top the ACC in rushing defense. But Pat Narduzzi’s schemes can be vulnerable to the pass. Duke threw for 241 yards against Pitt, despite losing starting quarterback Gunnar Holmberg to injury in the first half.

UNC’s defense will have trouble containing Kenny Pickett and his outstanding crew of receivers. But if Storm Duck can defend the way he did against Wake Forest, then the Heels have a chance to make this game interesting, especially since the teams haven’t played since 2019 when Howell was a freshman.

This Thursday night affair will be seen nationally on ESPN. Too bad the league’s biggest game Saturday won’t be.