North Carolina State Football: Wolfpack run all over Arizona State at Sun Bowl

2. NC State capitalizes on the ground

Junior running back Nyheim Hines was given the opportunity to be the NC State’s starting running back this season and did not disappoint. He amassed 1,040 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, adding 25 receptions for 124 yards during the regular season.

That pace was impressive enough, but Hines more than surpassed it at the Sun Bowl. Hines carried the ball 16 times for 73 yards and three touchdowns. He scored the most touchdowns on the ground for the Wolfpack, but accounted for only half of their rushing scores. Reggie Gallaspy led the team with 78 rushing yards plus two touchdowns and Jaylen Samuels added six carries for 20 yards and a score.

All told, the Wolfpack amassed just 173 yards rushing on their 44 carries, averaging 3.9 yards per carry. Their efficiency wasn’t off the charts, but they made the most of their carries. They scored five times on carries from inside the five yard line. Their lone touchdown through the air came inside the red zone as well.

For the most part the Wolfpack stayed on schedule, grinding out long scoring drives to keep the Arizona State offense at bay.