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The NC State/UNC game doesn’t need the media to drum up the hype at all this year. Not only is this a rivalry, it’s a matchup with postseason implications.

The Wolfpack is 7-4 and a win would put them into consideration for a decent bowl, but I’m guessing that won’t be their biggest motivator. That likely would be reserved for playing spoiler on UNC’s chance for a spot in the CFB playoffs.

UNC is already going to be playing in the ACC championship after winning the Coastal division, but you shouldn’t believe that they are going to be mailing this one in. They want redemption for the 35-7 beatdown they received from NC State last season and they would love to rub it in the faces of the Pack fans on their home field.

NC State obviously has other plans. Beating UNC to finish out the season would build some much needed momentum going into bowl season and the offseason. To get this win there are going to be some keys they’ll have to focus on:

Dominate the run game:
Last year against UNC the Pack ran for 388 yards, 167 of those were from Jacoby Brissett. Carolina is likely going to make sure Brissett doesn’t go bonkers on the ground, but can they stop the NC State ground game in general? Although they don’t have Dayes or Thornton, they did get back on track last week rushing for 276 yds (led by Gallaspy with 81yds and a TD). If they want to win they’ll need to control the clock and that means Gallaspy and Nichols are going to have to come up big.

Pressure the QB:
UNC is riding a 10 game winning streak and Marquise Williams is playing well with Mack Hollins coming alive as a true deep threat. The key for the Pack is to get pressure on Williams and make him make quick decisions. If they can’t get into the backfield to fluster Williams then UNC will have a major advantage.

Turn them over:
This really is a extension of our last point. They need to make sure Williams doesn’t have time in the pocket and that he has to make quick reads because they desperately need to win the turnover battle in this one. A pick and a fumble recovery or two could be huge in helping State to a major upset.

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NC State Football

Dave Doeren Led the Hurricanes to a Game 1 Victory Over Devils

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3 weeks ago

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May 4, 2023

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NC State Head Football Coach Dave Doeren helped lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a Game 1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of the 2nd Round of the playoffs. Doeren was ferocious in sounding the siren.

The Canes demolished the Devils 5-1 last night. Go Canes!

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NC State Football

Which NC State Players Signed with NFL Teams as Undrafted Free Agents?

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4 weeks ago

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May 1, 2023

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Chandler Zavala was the only player from NC State that was drafted this past weekend in the 2023 NFL Draft. So which Wolfpack players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents?

NC State has quite a few players playing in the NFL that went undrafted: Defensive Tackle T.Y. McGill, Running Back Zonovan Knight, and Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers.

The Chargers organization must have liked what was going on in Raleigh, signing 3 Wolfpack players as undrafted free agents.

The Bolts signed Safety Tanner Ingle.

Also heading to Los Angeles is Defensive Back Tyler Baker-Williams.

Los Angeles might have found their kicker of the future in Christopher Dunn.

Linebacker Isaiah Moore has signed with the reigning Super Bowl Champs in Kansas City.

Moore is joining former Wolfpacker Joe Thuney in KC.

Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

Thomas is joining former Wolfpacker Garrett Bradbury in Minnesota.

Thayer’s brother, Linebacker Drake Thomas signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Thomas joins former Wolfpacker’s Jakobi Meyers (WR) and A.J. Cole (P).

Cornerback Derrek Pitts has signed with Tampa Bay.

Defensive Tackle Cory Durden has signed with the Detroit Lions.

Durden joins former Wolfpacker Alim McNeil, who also plays Defensive Tackle.

Finally, Punter Shane McDonough is a rookie mini-camp invitee.

 

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NC State Football

Chandler Zavala was NC State’s Lone Draft Pick in 2023

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4 weeks ago

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May 1, 2023

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Surprisingly, NC State only had one player taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. Unsurprisingly, Offensive Lineman Chandler Zavala was that singular player.

The Carolina Panthers drafted Zavala in the 4th round with the 114th overall pick.

This marks the second year in a row that the Panthers have selected an offensive linemen from NC State, drafting Ikem Ekwonu with the 6th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Zavala and Ekwonu played beside one another in Raleigh on the left side, and there’s a chance that they will eventually do the same thing on Sunday’s for Carolina.

Zavala is coming off of a season where he earned 1st Team All-ACC honors, and didn’t give up a single sack.

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NC State Football

NC State’s Demie Sumo-Karngbaye Enters Transfer Portal

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1 month ago

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April 27, 2023

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NC State Running Back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has officially entered the Transfer Portal. As a Redshirt Freshman this past season, he rushed for 305 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns. Sumo-Karngbaye also had 12 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Demie was electric to start the season, but battled injuries all season long. In conference play, he was limited, only rushing the ball 16 times for 53 yards (3.3 yards per carry) with 0 touchdowns.

There’s no denying that the Wolfpack Running Back room is crowded. From the beginning of the season, Sumo-Karngbaye shared carries with Jordan Houston, who is once again returning this season. After Sumo-Karngbaye continued to miss action due to injuries, True Freshman Michael Allen stepped in and proved to be more than ready for the spotlight, averaging 5.1 yards per carry (53 carries), with most of those carries coming against ACC opponents. Not to mention the fact that True Freshman Kendrick Raphael will look to make an instant impact this Fall.

With all of this being said, I don’t get this move. At the end of the day, every young man has to make the decision they think is best, but Sumo-Karngbaye had every reason to to expect significant playing time in 2023, as long as he could prove to stay healthy.

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