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NC State defeated Old Dominion 49-22 last night, to improve to 2-1 on the season. Here are some of the things that the Wolfpack did well.

  • QB Ryan Finley continues to play really efficient football. He was 24 of 28 for 281 yards and 3 touchdowns. He seems completely poised and confident in the pocket. One of Finley’s incompletions was a throw away, which pointed towards his intelligence. He isn’t married to one receiver that he is going to throw to on a play, constantly checking down to find the open man. Finley’s passing efficiency was 205.4, and he connected with 11 different receivers. He is also becoming proficient in the art of throwing the shovel pass.
  • QB Jalan McClendon came into the season expecting that he would be the starter, and he wasn’t alone in that thought. Most of the media outlets covering NC State projected that he would be the starter as well. After not seeing a snap in the East Carolina game, Offensive Coordinator Eliah Drinkwitz found creative ways to instill confidence in McClendon. Twice McClendon came out in goal line scenarios, and ran the read option, keeping it for two rushing touchdowns. The next time he was brought in at the goal line, he faked the sweep and threw a touchdown pass to Thaddeus Moss. It was encouraging to see McClendon given the opportunities to use his gifts and build some confidence.
  • WR Stephen Louis proved that last weeks performance against East Carolina wasn’t a fluke. Louis followed up last weeks 3 reception/142 yard performance with a 5 reception/80 yard performance. He was targeted 6 times, which was 2 more than any other receiver.
  • The Wolfpack offense was potent once again, tallying 470 yards of total offense. Their 28 first downs tied a season high.
  • TE Jaylen Samuels had two more touchdown receptions. It’s almost not impressive anymore, because it’s become normal. He’s silly in the red zone.
  • NC State covered the spread. They entered the game as 24 point favorites, and beat the Monarchs by 27.
  • The Wolfpack Defense had one sack in each of the first two games, and more than doubled that number against ODU, racking up 5 sacks. Three of those sacks were credited to DE Darian Roseboro, who live in the backfield all night long.
  • NC State’s Defense did a great job containing ODU’s star running back. Ray Lawry is coming off of a 1,000 yard season, and rushed for over 100 yards in the first two contests, but only managed 14 yards on 9 carries.
  • The Wolfpack Defensive Line came into the season with much hype, and they lived up to it last night. Kentavius Street, Bradley Chubb, Justin Jones and Darian Roseboro all picked up tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

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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.

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NC State Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers Select NC State’s Payton Wilson with the 98th Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

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1 hour ago

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April 26, 2024

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson in the 3rd Round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with the 98th overall pick.

How on earth Wilson was the 98th player drafted is beyond me. Winner of the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Winner of the Butkus Award, given to the best Linebacker in College Football. Winner of the Bednarik Award, given to the best Defensive player in College football. Unanimous All-American. 3rd best PFF Grade by a Linebacker in 2023. Fastest 40-time by a LB at the NFL Combine.

Yet, he was the 7th Linebacker taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Absurd.

With that being said, I can’t think of a more fitting place for Wilson to play. He was born to play in the Black and Gold. The Steelers are a blue collar club, who carry a long history of defensive greatness. Wilson plays with reckless abandon, and with his hair on fire, and that’s exactly what you expect out of a Pittsburgh Linebacker.

Maybe I’m showing my cards here…I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan…and I can’t believe Payton Wilson will be wearing the Black and Gold this Fall.

Congrats Payton!

 

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NC State Football

Details of Dave Doeren’s New Contract at NC State

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10 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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NC State has signed Dave Doeren to a 2-year extension, but the extension comes with a raise. Doeren’s base salary in 2023 was $5.02 million.

According to Brian Murphy of WRALSports Fan, Doeren’s salary in 2024 will be $5.5 million, and it will increase by $125,000 each year of the contract. He can earn $1.325 million in academic and athletic performance bonuses on an annual basis.

Below is a breakdown of the bonus structure.

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The bonus structure is the same as it was in his previous contract (see above), but the section entitled “Playoff” has been updated as follows:

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NC State Football

Former NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray Commits to Liberty

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11 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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Former NC State Wide Receiver Julian Gray has committed to play for Liberty next year.

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This past season, Gray had career highs in receptions (16) and receiving yards (170). He ranked 4th on the team in receptions, and 7th on the team in receiving yards.

Gray has served as NC State’s primary Kickoff Returner the past two seasons, averaging 24.9 yards per return. This past year, he averaged 26.0 yards per carry, which ranked 3rd in the ACC, and 11th nationally. It stands as the 5th best single-season average in school history.

Back in 2021, ON3 ranked Gray as a 4-star prospect, the #197 overall player nationally, and the #13 player in the state of North Carolina.

Gray has 2 more years of eligibility remaining.

NC State has had 23 players enter the Transfer Portal

DT Nick Campbell
WR Julian Gray – Liberty
RB Delbert Mimms III – Eastern Michigan
TE Fred Seabrough
Nickel Cecil Powell – Troy
WR Christopher Scott – Austin Peay
OL Jaleel Davis – Florida International
WR Josh Crabtree – Murray St. 
OL Lyndon Cooper – Pitt
WR Terrell Timmons – Colorado
LB Torren Wright – Temple
NT C.J. Clark – Miami
QB MJ Morris – Maryland
S Jakeen Harris – UNC
TE Cedd Seabrough – West Georgia
WR Porter Rooks – Eastern Michigan
DB Nate Evans – Delaware
LB Daejuan Thompson
RB Jordan Houston – Marshall
RB Michael Allen – UNLV
DB Darius Edmundson – UNC-Pembroke
WR Anthony Smith – East Carolina
TE Christopher Toudle – Western Michigan 

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NC State Football

NC State Gives Dave Doeren a 2-Year Extension

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11 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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NC State and Head Football Coach Dave Doeren have agreed to a 2-year extension, keeping him under contract through the 2029 season.

There is something to be said with consistency and stability. Dave Doeren is entering his 12th season at NC State, which ties him for the 6th longest tenure in College Football.

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The details of the contract have not been released, and I will break them down when they are revealed, but his annual salary before was $5.02 million.

Here’s what the bonus structure was for Doeren and his assistants prior to today’s extension.

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