NC State heads into Week 2 with a clear early-season objective: clean up the offense, get CJ Bailey into a better rhythm and show more consistency on the ground against Richmond.
That message came through clearly from Dave Doeren after the Wolfpack opened the year with a Week 0 loss to Virginia. Doeren said he does not like losing, but believes the lesson from that setback can be “really, really big” if NC State responds the right way.
The biggest issue from that opener was the run game. NC State finished with just 76 rushing yards against Virginia, a number that underscores why Doeren wants his team to establish more balance before the season gets deeper. He said the Wolfpack need to “go play our style of football” and get Bailey in rhythm so he can make plays.
Why the Richmond matchup matters
Richmond gives NC State a chance to reset quickly. Doeren said the Wolfpack need to dominate early, and the Week 2 matchup is an opportunity to prove the loss to Virginia was an early stumble rather than a sign of bigger offensive problems.
Bailey’s early-season role is central to that. Doeren said Bailey was likely “super excited to play early on,” which helps explain the push for a steadier, more controlled approach in Week 2. The goal is not just more snaps for the quarterback, but better timing, better rhythm and better execution around him.
Duke Scott is another name to watch after handling seven touches against Virginia for 33 yards. NC State will need more production from its backs overall, and Scott’s workload is part of that equation as the Wolfpack look to raise their effectiveness on the ground.
For NC State, the next step is straightforward. Start faster, run the ball better and make the Richmond game look like the kind of performance that stabilizes an early-season schedule.
