| Plays |
Total Yds |
Yds/Play |
Yds/Carry* |
Yds/PassAtt |
|
| NCSU |
96 |
439 |
4.6 |
4.4 |
5.6 |
| UMD |
62 |
365 |
5.9 | 5.8 |
7.2 |
(Yds/carry stats are calculated after removing sacks from the equation.)
We didn't get the good defensive effort that's been more typical of the Pack during the second half of the season, and the guys gave up more big plays than we're used to seeing. But they were much better in the second half, and after Maryland's first 3rd quarter drive, the Terps were held to 68 total yards and zero points on 23 plays the rest of the way, which obviously was one of the keys to the comeback.
Another factor was the sheer number of plays State's offense managed to run in this game. Fifty-one of them came in the second half, and State was much better on a per-play basis over the final two quarters. Maryland's defense probably lost a step or two in dealing with one lengthy drive after another. NC State's last five offensive possessions went for nine plays, 12 plays, four plays, 10 plays, and eight plays, respectively.