State 43, Liberty 21 (Sunday Morning) - StateFans Nation StateFans Nation

Photo by Ethan Hyman, News & Observer

It wasn’t pretty…and NC State’s offensive line could have been out played by a high school team tonight…but in the end, the Wolfpack forced seven turnovers (three fumbles recovered and four intercepted passes) to get the Pack past Liberty in the first game of the 2011 season.

The seven forced turnovers tied a school record last set in 1983.

All eyes were obviously on Mike Glennon in his first start. Glennon finished the night with an unspectacular 18 of 31 for 156 yards and one touchdown to Mario Carter (and no interceptions). He could have had close to 200 yards and another touchdown on a beautifully thrown ball that was dropped by George Bryan. Glennon took at least four sacks and saw consistent pressure as the Wolfpack offensive line did a poor job of both pass protecting and providing run support. State ultimately finished with 161 rushing yards led by 114 yards by Curtis Underwood and 67 yards (and 2 TDs) by James Washington; but much of that came in the fourth quarter.

ESPN had the following thoughts on the Wolfpack game. (Link)

This was sloppy. Ugly. And Liberty turned this game over as much as NC State won it.

Liberty had seven turnovers — nice job by NC State’s defense — four interceptions and three lost fumbles. NC State lost two fumbles as well. At one point, Liberty had five turnovers and only trailed by nine points. Liberty brought pressure, and quarterback Mike Glennon had to feel it in his debut as starter. He was sacked three times, and never really got into a groove. Running backs Curtis Underwood (114 yards, 1 touchdown), and James Washington (67 yards, 2 touchdowns), both had good games, but the Pack is missing Mustafa Greene. The defense was making plays left and right. The good news is that NC State got the win, bottom line, but if the Wolfpack is going to build upon last season’s success, it needs to get better quickly. That being said, the rest of the Atlantic Division hasn’t exactly lit it up this weekend, so NC State is in some pretty good company.

State travels to Winston-Salem next Saturday for a 3:30pm kickoff against Wake Forest on FS South.

Sunday Morning Update:

News & Observer
J.P. Giglio, “Pack Sloppy in Win Over Liberty”

Photo Gallery

Caulton Tudor: “Glennon Struggled but Kept His Cool”

Game Observations

GoPack.com
Game Summary

Stats

Postgame Comments

77 Responses to State 43, Liberty 21 (Sunday Morning)

camel77 09/06/2011 at 3:12 PM #

I still agree with TOB decision with Wilson. You can’t let one player put himself before the team. Letting Wilson do what wanted may have hurt NC State in getting highly rated recruits in the future. Wilson wanted the best of both world to keep playing baseball and have the option to come back if baseball wasn’t working. The question is Sure, we may have better Quarterback play this year. But how about next year with a lot of this year starters juniors? With the extra year of experience, I think next year we would better off to compete for ACC Championship and continue the success in following years. I am not giving up on something special happening this year just yet.
I have not heard or read where Glendon demanded that he start. What I did hear was that he had graduated and could transfer without sitting out a year. He had that option. He would be better off showing scouts what he can do for two years instead of one.
Lets not compare Glendon after one game with Wilson where we have three years of experiences to go on. If I recall, Wilson was knock out of the game before half-time in his first game against USC
pack44fan 09/06/2011 at 5:09 PM #

Until State’s offense (offensive line) shows it can handle the blitz (and I was an opposing defensive coach), I would bring it against the pack’s offense. Glennon, due to being a pocket passer, is gonna have to get the ball off quickly or he is gonna get pounded this year. Heck, even with RW’s mobility, he was sacked 39 times last year. The offense is gonna have to find a way to move the ball consistently or the defense is going to be on the field way too much to be effective.