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NC State Football

NC State Defeats Pitt 35-17, Takes Lead in Atlantic

Published

7 years ago

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It wasn’t always beautiful, but NC State defeated Pitt on their home turf 35-17 to improve to 6-1 overall, and 4-0 in the ACC.

Some claim the game was closer than the final score. I disagree.

The Wolfpack receivers dropped 6 passes throughout the game, with a majority of those coming in the 1st half when the Wolfpack offense was anemic.

Cornerback Mike Stevens did pick up his first interception of the season, but the NC State defense also left three other gimme interceptions on the field.

Also, Ryan Finley threw a touchdown pass to Jakobi Meyers at the end of the 1st half, but the points were taken off the scoreboard because of a bogus pass interference call on Kelvin Harmon. Then Wolfpack place kicker, Carson Wise proceeded to miss a 34-yard field goal, that was easily the worst field goal attempt I’ve seen in my life (I’m not kidding.)

Despite all of this, NC State beat Pitt 35-17.

Running Back Nyheim Hines put the team on his back in the first half, and probably served as their inspiration at halftime. He had an 83-yard touchdown run, which he followed up with a 92-yard punt return for a touchdown (the longest since 1926). Hines finished the day with 16 carries for 135 yards and 2 total touchdowns (8.4 yards per carry). This was Hines’ third straight 100-yard rushing performance.

Wide Receiver Kelvin Harmon had 3 receptions for 113 yards, with one of them being worthy of the Sportscenter Top-10. He went up and MOSS’d the defender, making a catch that has come to be expected from the stud Sophomore.

H-Back Jaylen Samuels and Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers were also crucial in the Wolfpack victory. Samuels rushed the ball 6 times for 62 yards and 2 touchdowns and also had 4 catches for 28 yards. Meyers had 5 receptions for 52 yards and a touchdown, with a couple of those coming on key third down plays.

Linebacker Germaine Pratt had the type of game that matched the hype around him in the preseason. He finished the game with 9 tackles (1 for loss). Cornerback Johnathan Alston had 7 tackles and 2 pass breakups. Defensive End Darian Roseboro honored his recently deceased father well, collecting 5 tackles, 3 tackles for loss, 1 sack and 1 forced fumble.

Great teams that go on to have great seasons win games even when they aren’t clicking on all cylinders.

NC State is off to the best start since the 2002 season when Philip Rivers was at the helm, which went on to be the best season in school history (11-3 & Gator Bowl victory over Notre Dame).

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Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

NC State Football

NC State Legend QB Roman Gabriel Passes Away at the Age of 83

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4 days ago

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April 20, 2024

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NC State legend Quarterback Roman Gabriel has passed away at the age of 83.

Gabriel’s Accolades

  • 2 time ACC Player of the Year (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-American (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-ACC (1960 & 1961)
  • 1st ACC QB to throw for 1,000 yards in a season
  • Left NC State with 22 school records and 9 ACC records
  • #1 pick in the AFL and #2 pick in the NFL
  • 16-year NFL career with the Rams & Eagles
  • 4 time Pro Bowler
  • NFL MVP in 1969
  • Led the NFL in Passing Yards in 1973
  • Led the NFL in Touchdown Passes in 1969 & 1973
  • Inaugural member of the NC State Hall of Fame
  • Ranks 1st all-time in Rams history in Touchdown Passes & 3rd in Passing Yards
  • First player to have their jersey number retired at NC State, on January 20, 1962.

Praying for the Gabriel family!

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NC State Baseball

NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24

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4 days ago

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April 20, 2024

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After NC State clinched a series victory over UNC last night in Baseball, I thought it would be a good time to relish in how the Wolfpack has dominated the Tar Heels Athletic Program as a whole in 2023-24.

The Wolfpack Baseball team has won the first two games in the series against the Tar Heels, clinching a series victory over UNC for the first time since 2021. It marks the first time NC State has won a series against the Tar Heels in Raleigh since 2016.

NC State defeated UNC in Volleyball 3-1, winning in Chapel Hill for the first time in 25 years. The Tar Heels had won the last 5 matches against the Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels 39-20 in Football in Carter-Finley Stadium. It marked the 3rd consecutive win over UNC.

NC State lost both regular season games to UNC in Men’s Basketball, but when it mattered most, the Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game 84-76, winning their first title since 1987.

The Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team lost to their rival in Chapel Hill, but defeated UNC 63-59 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 5 of the last 7 against UNC.

In Gymnastics, NC State defeated UNC 196.725-194.925 in Raleigh. This marked the 3rd straight victory for the Wolfpack over the Tar Heels.

NC State’s Men & Women’s Swimming & Diving teams both beat UNC. The Men won 258-93, and the Women won 196-157.

The Wolfpack Wrestling team defeated UNC 33-6 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 11 straight Duals against the Tar Heels.

The NC State Men’s Tennis team defeated UNC 4-0, winning against their rival in back-to-back years.

The Wolfpack Women’s Tennis team has defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 on two occasions thus far this season, and will face their rival again today.

The Cross Country teams didn’t have individual meets against UNC, but the Women obviously beat them, because they won the ACC Championship. The Men didn’t, finishing 8th in the Conference, with the Tar Heels finishing 1st.

The only other NC State athletic team that didn’t taste victory against UNC this year was the Women’s Soccer team, losing 0-4 in Raleigh.

Of course, each of these NC State athletic teams has much higher goals than just beating their rival, but there’s no denying how sweet it is to beat the Tar Heels.

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NC State Football

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

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6 days ago

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April 18, 2024

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

Published

7 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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