Statistics can be funny, and by that I mean literally laugh-out-loud funny. Every time I look at Hollywood Smothers’ rushing line from Saturday—four carries, 123 yards, 30.8 YPC—I chuckle. He got to the 100-yard
mark with almost the bare minimum of touches possible. And he probably could have gone for like 250 without too much hassle, but there was no need to risk an injury.
CJ Bailey could have thrown for 500 yards if NC State had been so inclined, as well. You got the feeling by the second quarter that State could have scored 90 if it felt like it. That was about the most lopsided matchup I can remember State having.
Bailey finished 20-23, and averaged 14.7 yards per attempt—he is now tied for 19th nationally with a 9.0 YPA on the season. He’s fourth among FBS QBs in completion percentage, 14th in passer rating, and 17th in passing yards per game.
Hollywood, meanwhile is the nation’s second-leading rusher with 693 yards, and it’ll be a massive upset if he doesn’t crack the 1,000-yard mark. His 59-yard touchdown run showed why he is among the nation’s leaders in yards after contact, as he eluded several would-be tacklers at the line of scrimmage to break the big play.
