One week after Clemson collapse, NC State football defense shows growth against NIU

Cream-colored rawhide bones attached to metal chains hang on the wall of the Northern Illinois football center. They’re accompanied by a date, score and opponent logo. Each one represents a win over a power program. The Huskies, already with an upset over Notre Dame in Week 2, hoped to add another to the collection. The Wolfpack defense made sure that didn’t happen.

One of the biggest plays Saturday took place 51 seconds into the second quarter. Safety DK Kaufman ran past the line of scrimmage on N.C. State’s blitz and wrapped his arms around Northern Illinois quarterback Ethan Hampton, sacking the Huskie and forcing a fumble. Kaufman outran everyone to recover the loose ball and scored a 2-yard touchdown.

His turnover came one week and about 40 minutes after Clemson’s Cade Klubnik scored a 55-yard rushing touchdown on the first drive of the game. It was exactly the kind of response N.C. State wanted to see after its abysmal showing in Death Valley.

“Last week, it was embarrassing. There’s really no other way to put it,” Kaufman said. “It’s sad that it had to be that way for me and others to come out with that fire in us. You don’t ever really want to get hit in the mouth first and then fight back, but last week definitely proved pivotal for us.”

N.C. State coach Dave Doeren said he challenged the team this week to return to its identity of playing hard, tough and together. He hadn’t seen that from his team, at least not for a whole game.

“We gotta get back to the DNA of who we are and take pride in what we put on film. That film is a forever record of effort, and for eternity, how you played in this game on this day is on record,” Doeren said on Thursday. “Win or lose, the effort needs to be winning. That’s what I’m looking at.”

N.C. State (3-2, 0-1 ACC) took his challenge to heart. In its 24-17 win over NIU (2-2, 0-1 Mid-American), the defense notched 84 tackles, four sacks, 12 tackles for loss, two interceptions, four forced fumbles, six pass breakups and nine quarterback hurries.

Kaufman alone contributed four tackles, one sack, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble. His touchdown was the second of the season, which tied him with CJ Bailey and Kendrick Raphael for third on the team in scoring.

The Auburn transfer didn’t do it by himself. Linebackers Caden Fordham and Sean Brown and defensive end Davin Vann combined for 36 total tackles, all finishing in double figures. KJ Martin earned his first start for the Wolfpack and added seven tackles and a pass breakup.

Nickelback Tamarcus Cooley ended the game and NIU’s potential comeback attempt with an interception in the end zone as the clock expired.

Kaufman and Fordham both said the success started in practice. They always try to bring energy during the week, but this week it was different. There was more communication, more accountability and, according to Doeren, blood.

“It was physical, and that’s gotta be what we’re about,” Doeren said. “We’ve gotta play harder than teams across the sidelines. That gives us an opportunity to be in the game every week. Not everybody’s wired that way. … At NC State, we have to be tough. That’s our edge.”

On top of the turnovers, the Wolfpack held the Huskies to 279 yards of total offense, 120 rushing yards and forced five punts.

Doeren saw more consistency from his defense. It still gave up 183 yards of explosive plays, but that was the fewest allowed this season; nearly half of what it allowed against Clemson (358 yards) and Tennessee (342 yards).

N.C. State kept its foot on the gas — Doeren called two timeouts in the final nine seconds just to give the defense a break — and executed plays with urgency.

“I think there’s obviously a recipe for success that you got to see this week on that side of the football,” Doeren said.

It was good enough that defensive coordinator Tony Gibson embraced Doeren after the game, seemingly relieved after the struggles in the first quarter of the season.

The offense struggled in the win, only recording 11 first downs and 171 yards. It also went 1 of 11 on third down.

Bailey said he played “decent” and hopes the team can improve. N.C. State didn’t do well down the stretch, ending the game with four straight punts, which is something he didn’t like. The freshman, however, credited the defense for doing everything it could to put him in a positive position.

“They turned the whole Carter-Finley up, and that was really big,” Bailey said. “With them making plays and everything, it translated to our offense having success as well. It changed the momentum of everything that we had going on.”

But that’s just step one. There’s plenty more to be done, even on defense, and the team looks forward to another opportunity to improve.

“We have to come back and do the same thing but amplify by 10 next week,” Kaufman said. “We got a little momentum, but we gotta keep it. … It’s not time to relax. We’re not nowhere near done for what we’re trying to go get.”