Three things we learned about NC State football in 55-3 win over Charleston Southern

The N.C. State players gathered around Devin Carter after the pregame warmups Saturday as the wide receiver delivered — loudly — a few words.

Linebacker Isaiah Moore thumped his chest above his heart. Others were jumping about, energetic, ready to get it on with Charleston Southern in the Wolfpack’s first home game this season at Carter-Finley Stadium.

The end result was what many expected — a Wolfpack blowout. N.C. State won 55-3 and could have scored more had the Pack not gone vanilla with a lot of its play calls in the second half.

What does the Pack get out of a game like this? Another win to go 2-0. A lot of people, including walk-ons, got to play. There did not appear to be any serious injuries.

Photos: NC State defeats Charleston Southern in home opener

What was learned from the game? Here are three things:

Leary back to being Leary

Devin Leary was not a happy man after the East Carolina game. He left the field at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium with his helmet still on his head and a frown on his face.

But an overcast day at Carter-Finley became a bright day for Leary. On his 23rd birthday, he accounted for six touchdowns in the easy win and was serenaded by the school’s marching band with “Happy Birthday” after the game.

“I’ve never really experienced anything like that,” he said, smiling.

Leary could not find a smooth rhythm in the ECU game or string together good play after good play. His interception in the fourth quarter, on a sideline throw to Thayer Thomas, led to the Pirates’ third touchdown and could have cost the Pack the game.

But the passing touch was back Saturday. He came out throwing in the no-huddle, had four TD passes and used all his receivers as targets.

“As soon as we get that rhythm down, that connection, and it all starts in practice, it should translate on to the game,” Leary said.

He also ran for a couple of scores, smashing his way in on a 12-yard run for the Pack’s first TD of the game.

“If I have to get a little gritty, I’m willing to do it,” he said. “I just saw that red end zone and nothing was stopping me.”

A new sideline look

Offensive coordinator Tim Beck was not on the Wolfpack sideline Saturday — a first for him at N.C. State.

Beck has been the one in the ear of Leary the past two years, instructing, encouraging, cajoling, consoling. But the coordinator now will communicate with his QB differently, it appears — from the coaches booth upstairs.

“It’s hard calling plays on the field,” Doeren said.

Doeren said he could remember times in the past when he was a defensive coordinator on the field during games, missing some things. He said he could sometimes come in on Sundays after games and say, “Man, if I had seen that I would have done something different.”

So it went with Beck after the 21-20 win over East Carolina, Doeren indicated.

“I had another conversation like that after the last game and I said, ‘That’s enough, I’m not going to hear that anymore,’ ” he said. “For him to make the checks and audibles the way he wants from the press box, I think he’s just got better eyes up there.”

So Beck has gone up and assistant coach Kurt Roper is down on the field.

“It was just a little change-up but I think it works either way,” Leary said.

One ‘helping’ enough for Pack

Doeren talked this past week of the Pack being served some “humble pie” in the opener at East Carolina. The Wolfpack went to Greenville ranked 13th in preseason, their attitude seemingly tilted more toward hubris than hunger and it showed.

The closer-than-expected victory knocked the Pack down a few notches – five in the AP poll. It caused a re-set in practice and an attitude adjustment, Doeren said. The Pack responded Saturday and did it as a team.

One of the leaders was senior Tyler Baker-Williams. The nickel picked off a pass against ECU. Against Charleston Southern, he had a sack in the third quarter that resulted in a fumble that the Pack turned into seven points. He then picked off a pass on the next series.

“I’m happy for ‘T-Bake’ and we need that,” Doeren said.