NC State football falls to Notre Dame. Three takeaways from the Wolfpack’s 45-24 loss

N.C. State (1-1) fell to No. 10 Notre Dame (3-0), 45-24, at Carter-Finley Stadium in its 2023 home opener.

The Wolfpack wanted to show improvement from its win at UConn. It did in some areas, notably some positive strides on defense. It didn’t make enough progress, though, and the Irish showed that its 98-6 win differential over Tennessee State and Navy weren’t flukes.

There were times when Notre Dame struggled against the Pack defense, but everyone clearly saw who was the better team on Saturday.

Wolfpack defense vs. the world, most of the time

N.C. State’s defense took steps forward this week, but it also showed ongoing struggles.

It brought more energy and aggression to the field, notably on early rushing attempts, which it lacked at times against UConn in Week 1.

That energy allowed the Pack to force punts on Notre Dame’s first two drives. The third drive showed some of the remaining inconsistency in coverage. N.C. State gave up 50 yards on it, but the Irish were limited to a 54-yard field goal after the Pack’s coverage on Sam Hartman led to an offensive penalty.

The defense forced and recovered a fumble late in the third quarter, putting the offense deep in Notre Dame territory. It added four sacks, as well.

Unfortunately, State’s performance featured several big breakdowns. The first explosive play came immediately after the weather delay, when Notre Dame’s Audric Estime ran for an 80-yard touchdown. This is the second week in a row that the team has given up a one-play score of at least 70 yards.

In the second quarter alone, Notre Dame recorded two passing plays of 45 yards or more. Linebacker Payton Wilson, however, received credit for the tackles to end those potential scoring plays.

Overall, it was a bizarre afternoon for the Pack, which showed a high ceiling but also revealed a low floor.

It may be a long fall for the offense

With all the hype around quarterback Brennan Armstrong and what he’d done under offensive coordinator Robert Anae at Virginia, a lot of people expected things to be better than they were on Saturday.

At times, it felt downright painful. Armstrong threw three interceptions in the contest, two came on consecutive drives. His completion rate was a whopping 47%, though it dropped as low as 39% in the fourth. He finished just 22-of-47 passes.

Only one receiver was credited with a drop, but multiple passes probably could’ve been ruled as drops depending on the official scorer. Regardless if someone views them as drops or pass breakups, they weren’t completed passes.

The team finished with 344 yards and 20 first downs, compared to 456 yards and 16 first downs.

And, when it had some of the easy opportunities created by the defense, Armstrong and Co. didn’t make use of the opportunities it had.

Getting bailed out by penalties

Most of N.C. State’s drives ended with a punt or a turnover. Those that didn’t? Well, the home team should probably send Notre Dame a thank you card for 10 of its points, which contributed four first downs.

Wide receiver Bradley Rozner grabbed a 9-yard reception at 1:16 in the second quarter, scoring the Pack’s first touchdown of the game. That 62-yard drive included three penalties – all for first downs – from the visitors.

Then, the team added a 49-yard field goal from kicker Brayden Narveson in the third. That drive also included a first down penalty.

The Pack’s final touchdown drive also included a Notre Dame penalty, but it was declined and State can take full credit for that one.

Without those freebies – and based on how State’s offense played – the score differential would’ve been a lot wider.

Here are updates from earlier in the game:

Pack tack on a score

N.C. State quarterback Brennan Armstrong tossed a 23-yard touchdown pass to Dacari Collins with 2:03 to play sliced Notre Dame’s lead to 45-24.

Irish pour it on

Sam Hartman’s fourth touchdown pass of the game, this one a 35-yard strike to Holden Staes, pushed Notre Dame’s lead to 45-17 with 4:35 to play.

Pack turnover leads to Notre Dame TD

After NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong threw an interception at his own 16, Notre Dame converted the turnover into points on Audric Estime’s 7-yard touchdown run. The Irish lead 38-17 with 10:42 to play

Another Hartman TD toss

Notre Dame quarterback Sam Hartman fired a 10-yard touchdown pass to Davis Sherwood on a third-down play, giving the Irish a 31-17 lead over N.C. State with 11:38 to play. It was Hartman’s third touchdown pass in the game.

The Pack misses opportunities

N.C. State’s defense forced and recovered a fumble late in the third quarter. The turnover put the offense at the 17-yard line, deep in Notre Dame territory. Despite the excellent field position, the Pack left the field without points after kicker Brayden Narveson’s 34-yard field goal attempt went wide left.

Armstrong runs it in

Quarterback Brennan Armstrong recorded the 1-yard touchdown for the Wolfpack with 2:55 left in the third quarter. His rush followed a drive that included a 38-yard pass to senior wide receiver Keyon Lesane and 17-yard catch from freshman tight end Juice Vereen.

Notre Dame scores...again

Just a minute and a half after N.C. State cut into the Fighting Irish’s lead, UND responded with a 40-yard touchdown from Holden Staes to go up 24-10.

State cuts lead to a touchdown

Kicker Brayden Narveson made a 49-yard field goal with 7:27 left in the third, cutting the Irish’s lead to 17-10. The Wolfpack had help getting into scoring position after a 15-yard Notre Dame penalty four plays earlier.

Irish add second TD before half

Notre Dame’s Jaden Greathouse scored a 13-yard touchdown on a pass from QB Sam Hartman for a 17-7 Irish lead. The 78-yard drive lasted just 30 seconds.

NC State scores on Rozner catch

The Wolfpack scored for the first time in the game on a 9-yard catch from quarterback Brennan Armstrong to wide receiver Bradley Rozner. His touchdown and the subsequent PAT, cutting Notre Dame’s lead to 10-7, capped off a 62-yard drive, featuring three Notre Dame penalties.

Notre Dame extends lead on first play back

The teams returned to the field at 2:35 p.m., after a delay of roughly 1 hour and 45 minutes. The Irish’s Audric Estime broke through the N.C. State defense and ran for an 80 yard touchdown, giving the Irish a 10-0 lead.

Game suspended due to weather

Officials suspended play with 14:45 remaining in the second quarter after lightning was detected in the area. Both teams left the field and fans were instructed to leave the stadium. The officials did not provide an estimated length of the pause.

Notre Dame strikes first

After punting on the first two drives, Notre Dame took the first lead of the game on the third drive. The Irish’s Spencer Shrader booted a field goal from 54 yards out, capping the 12-play and 50-yard drive.

Photos: NC State battles #10 Notre Dame

Pregame weather impacts

Rain and lightning delayed warm ups and the opening of the stadium. The main gates were set to open at 10:30 a.m., but fans were not allowed in until 11 a.m.

Delays are put in place if lightning is detected within an eight mile radius. Kickoff has not been moved, as of 11:45 a.m.