In three out of the last four matchups between NC State and Clemson, the Tigers have been ranked #3 in the nation, and the Wolfpack have played them close each time. The one time Clemson wasn’t ranked #3, they were unranked and beat the Wolfpack 41-0.
2013
In Dave Doeren’s first year, the Pack only won three games, but they did manage to play the Tigers close at home. This was the game when they ruled that Bryan Underwood went out of bounds, when the video replay showed otherwise. What should have been an 83-yard touchdown to put NC State ahead midway through the 3rd quarter, was limited to a 36-yard gain.
The final score was 26-14.
2015
This was a high scoring contest, in which the Tigers won 56-41 on Halloween night. NC State held the lead 20-19 midway through the 2nd quarter, but the Pack couldn’t keep up with DeShaun Watson. Jaylen Samuels rushed the balls 6 times for 65 yards and a touchdown, and caught 8 passes for 74 yards and a touchdown. Also, Nyheim Hines returned a kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.
2016
Do we even want to talk about the game that shall not be named? To think about this game could lead to the detriment of your own health. The number 33 will always be cursed now.
Yes, this was when NC State missed a 33-yard field goal to win the game as time expired, and went on to lose 24-17 in Death Valley.
On a positive note, Jaylen Samuels had 8 receptions for 100 yards.
Prior to the announcement, NC State already had their non-conference slate booked for both of those seasons.
As a result of the addition of the Virginia series, a previously scheduled non-conference game from each season would need to be dropped. While it hasn’t been officially announced by the school, Joe Giglio and David Glenn seem to think that the series with Appalachian State is going to be dropped.
State swaps out a home-and-home with App State for one with Virginia
Given the ACC’s stance on road G5 games, that was going to happen
NC STATE BACKS OUT OF FOOTBALL SERIES WITH APPALACHIAN STATE…. David Glenn Weighs in on Required #NCPOL Scheduling Bill per UNC, NC STATE, ECU, CHARLOTTE AND APP https://t.co/5sfWzmRa93 via @YouTube
— NORTH CAROLINA SPORTS NETWORK (@TheNCSportsNet) May 16, 2024
It would make the most sense, considering the Mountaineers were the only opponent the Wolfpack was scheduled to play in both 2025 and 2026. It would also make sense, considering the fact that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips isn’t a fan of ACC teams playing Group of 5 schools on the road.
I will tell you this much. The Mountaineer faithful certainly believe NC State is dropping the series with App State, and it just takes a little scrolling on X (formerly Twitter) to get a read on their feelings on the situation.
CBS Sports released their Top-25 Power 4 Coaches in College Football, and NC State’s Dave Doeren came in at #16. Heading into last season, he went into the season ranked #25.
16) Dave Doeren: The NC State coach finally gets some overdue credit. He’s always hovered around the bottom of our top 25 or just outside it, and now he finds himself firmly entrenched in it thanks to all the changes at the top. Coaches who take mid-tier programs and overachieve never get enough credit, in my estimation, and the consistency Doeren has established at NC State — where he spent most of his time in a division with Clemson and Florida State — is one of the most impressive things any coach in the country has done. I’m glad to see Doeren getting closer to the top 15. 2023 rank: 25 (+9) (CBS Sports)
Numerous CBS Sports’ analysts voted in the poll, and Tom Fornelli actually ranked Doeren #8.
DraftKings released their way-too-early odds for the game, and Tennessee is currently a 5.5-point favorite.
Here’s the deal, as NC State fans, if we want to be a big time Football program, NC State fans need to gobble up tickets to this game. Let’s do our part and make sure that Bank of America Stadium is painted RED. Buy Tickets HERE.
NC State announced this morning that the Wolfpack and UVA will play in a home-and-home non-conference series, with the game in 2025 being in Raleigh, and the game in 2026 being in Charlottesville.
To reiterate, despite the fact that both teams are in the ACC, these games are considered non-conference games, and won’t count toward conference records. This is similar to what UNC and Wake Forest did a few years back.
Here’s what’s interesting about the addition of these games in 2025 and 2026. Prior to the announcement, NC State already had 4 non-conference games scheduled for both years.
It would be my assumption that one of the previously scheduled non-conference games for each season will not take place now.