(Image via Krista Coley, CougarTV)

RALEIGH – North Carolina State (2-1) took on Furman (0-3) this weekend in their third game of the 2017 college football season.

In a pre-game radio interview, sideline analyst Tony Haynes said that, although NC State looks bigger, firmer, and stronger, they would need an extra boost in confidence to run plays and win. Haynes said Furman’s offense could be a great equalizer, with their use of the triple option technique; a play most teams struggle to prepare for.

Furman took an early 3-0 lead after a 46-yard field goal by Grayson Atkins (#39), but was soon answered by NC State with a 1-yard run by Jaylen Samuels (#1), followed by a 30-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Finley (#5) to JuMichael Ramos (#85). State held their steady lead for the remainder of the game.

All in all, the Pack rushed for a season-high 235 yards and finished with a 49-16 win.

Stand-out players included State’s Nyheim Hines (#7), who rushed for 92 yards and finished with one touchdown, and Dakwa Nichols (#27), who finished with 28 yards on four carries and a touchdown of his own.

In a post-game press conference, Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren stated that he liked the way his team “attacked and came out fast on both sides of the football” and remarked that he’s thankful all his players “came out of the game healthy”. The head coach added that he is “glad to have the starting offensive line back together” and commended his offensive staff on “a nice job working different things”. Doeren said he and his team are excited for the chance now to move into ACC play beginning next week.

After taking care of business at home, NC State can now shift their focus to the ACC. This win against Furman may be the confidence-booster that NC State needs as they take on the Florida State Seminoles next weekend in Tallahassee.