Louisville Football: 3 bold predictions vs. NC State in Week 6
By Dana Becker
2. Finley, Wolfpack prove they’re for real
He won’t be confused for the QB playing opposite him Saturday night, but NC State’s Ryan Finley has looked every bit the part of an All-ACC performer through five games.
He directed the Wolfpack to a win over Florida State on the road and did the same vs. Syracuse. Even in defeat to South Carolina, Finley was exceptional, throwing for 415 yards and two touchdowns.
On the year, Finley has 1,403 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception in 192 attempts. But his passing yardage total has dipped with each passing week, hitting a low of 186 last weekend.
The former Boise State signal caller threw for 3,055 yards with an 18-to-8 touchdown-to-interception ratio last year and was sacked just 15 times total.
Finley has benefited from the play of Nyheim Hines, who leads the Wolfpack with 411 yards, and Jaylen Samuels, who is quickly turning into a future NFL player due to his dual-threat abilities.
Samuels has team-highs in receptions (43), receiving yards (321), rushing touchdowns (5) and receiving TDs (3). Joining Samuels are receivers Kelvin Harmon, Stephen Louis and Jakobi Meyers, all with 200-plus yards and 19-plus catches.
Finley will need to work Samuels and company into the game against a quick Louisville defense, along with plenty of Hines and Reggie Gallaspy II, to find success on offense.