There's not much to say after a really tough game to watch, but I've got a few thoughts. Tyler was at the game, so I think he'll probably post on here later tonight or tomorrow with his reaction.
- Turnovers cost CMU again today. Tough to win games at an ACC team when you have three turnovers and you are minus-two in turnover margin.
- Rush struggled again today. 16-of-37 for only 165 yards (4.45 YPA), with one TD and three picks. Rush was great against UNH and early against UNLV, but has very much looked like a freshman in the 10 quarters since. To be fair, he did have some nice moments in the second half, especially on the touchdown drive. Going off what Enos said the week after UM, Cody Kater should be back within the next two weeks. I don't think Rush has done enough at this point to lock down the job. Have to wonder how the coaching staff handles that and if Kater will be given the chance to earn the job again.
- Even though the NC State offense didn't feature a mobile QB like Jordan Lynch, I thought it was similar to Doeren's NIU offenses in that they found unique ways to run the ball. 10 guys had at least one carry, with eight of those players getting multiple carries. The breakdown of those 10 ballcarriers was four running backs, four quarterbacks and two wide receivers.
- The Wolfpack made CMU one-dimensional and that's why their offense struggled for most of the day. The Chippewas only had six rushing yards at halftime and only had 27 after three quarters. It's tough for most offenses to move the ball with those numbers, but especially an offense that depends on running the ball as much as CMU does.
- One positive was Titus Davis. Had five catches for 80 yards and a nice touchdown catch. I know NC State doesn't have a great secondary, but it's still an ACC secondary. If there was every any doubt that Davis can play with the big boys, today should put it to bed. Davis is going to get a long look by NFL teams and will get drafted whether he leaves after this year or next year.
- Can't really understate how important next week's game at Miami is. If there is any sort of chance that CMU can get back to bowl eligibility, they have to get a win next week. The two games after that are at Ohio and NIU at home. It's tough to see CMU getting a win in either game. Not that the Chippewas can win their last four games to get to bowl eligibility, but if they don't beat the RedHawks, it won't matter.
- Turnovers cost CMU again today. Tough to win games at an ACC team when you have three turnovers and you are minus-two in turnover margin.
- Rush struggled again today. 16-of-37 for only 165 yards (4.45 YPA), with one TD and three picks. Rush was great against UNH and early against UNLV, but has very much looked like a freshman in the 10 quarters since. To be fair, he did have some nice moments in the second half, especially on the touchdown drive. Going off what Enos said the week after UM, Cody Kater should be back within the next two weeks. I don't think Rush has done enough at this point to lock down the job. Have to wonder how the coaching staff handles that and if Kater will be given the chance to earn the job again.
- Even though the NC State offense didn't feature a mobile QB like Jordan Lynch, I thought it was similar to Doeren's NIU offenses in that they found unique ways to run the ball. 10 guys had at least one carry, with eight of those players getting multiple carries. The breakdown of those 10 ballcarriers was four running backs, four quarterbacks and two wide receivers.
- The Wolfpack made CMU one-dimensional and that's why their offense struggled for most of the day. The Chippewas only had six rushing yards at halftime and only had 27 after three quarters. It's tough for most offenses to move the ball with those numbers, but especially an offense that depends on running the ball as much as CMU does.
- One positive was Titus Davis. Had five catches for 80 yards and a nice touchdown catch. I know NC State doesn't have a great secondary, but it's still an ACC secondary. If there was every any doubt that Davis can play with the big boys, today should put it to bed. Davis is going to get a long look by NFL teams and will get drafted whether he leaves after this year or next year.
- Can't really understate how important next week's game at Miami is. If there is any sort of chance that CMU can get back to bowl eligibility, they have to get a win next week. The two games after that are at Ohio and NIU at home. It's tough to see CMU getting a win in either game. Not that the Chippewas can win their last four games to get to bowl eligibility, but if they don't beat the RedHawks, it won't matter.
