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NC State vs. South Carolina: Keys to the Game

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NC State heads into their season opener against South Carolina at Bank of America Stadidum today as a 5-point favorites, but this Gamecock team is no pushover. This is an SEC opponent, that has the 27th most talented roster (according to 247 composite team rankings), and is healthier, stronger, and more experienced heading into this season. South Carolina is entering their second season under head coach Will Muschamp, and his team will be ready to implement his schemes more effectively now.

Also, the Wolfpack has done atrocious against Power 5 teams in season openers (Via the legendary Yellow Pad of the N&O’s Joe Giglio):

Here are our keys to a Wolfpack victory against South Carolina:

Establishing the Ground Game Without Dayes

Last year NC State running back Matt Dayes was a workhorse, rushing for almost 1,200 yards. This year the Wolfpack heads into Week 1 with what looks like a running back-by-committee situation that features Nyheim Hines, Reggie Gallaspy, and Dakwa Nichols. On average, the Gamecock defense gave up a little over 200 yards to their opponent on the ground each game. That’s silly bad. These running backs need to come out today and show they are able to fill the shoes of Matt Dayes, and take advantage of a weakness in the Gamecock defensive front.

Defensive Line Needs to Live Up To The Hype

The NC State secondary was already one of the biggest question marks heading into the season. That doesn’t mean they won’t be good, but it is unknown how well Jarius Morehead (RS-SO) and Dexter Wright (RS-JR) will handle the Safety positions, how well Nick McCloud (SO) will handle more playing time at Corner, and how Johnathan Alston (RS-SR) will adjust from Wide Receiver to Cornerback. The question mark became even bigger when it was revealed starting Senior Corner Mike Stevens would be unable to play due to a leg injury. While Doeren and crew are very high on each of these players, none of them have started an opening day game at NC State at their position. They are young/inexperienced and are bound to give up some plays. That’s just part of growth.

That’s why it’s imperative for the ever-so hyped Wolfpack Defensive Line to get to Gamecock Quarterback Jake Bentley early and often. The more pressure they can put on him, the quicker he has to get rid of the ball, which bodes well for the Wolfpack secondary.

FOR THE LOVE…Carson Wise Needs to Make Field Goals

Last seasons whole entire season was negatively impacted by NC State’s inability to kick field goals from any distance. Think ECU. Think FSU. Think Clemson…Ok…stop thinking about it…it’s too painful.

The Wolfpack were a solid field goal kicker away from being a 10 win team instead of a 7 win team.

Carson Wise will start the season as the Wolfpack’s starting place kicker. Wise originally committed to Virginia Tech, but transferred to Carson-Newman to get playing time, and handled the kicking duties there the past two seasons. Plain and simple, kicking at Bank of America Stadium in front of a packed crowd, is a wee bit different than kicking in front of the Carson-Newman crowd. Hopefully Wise thrives under the increased stakes.

Hold on to the DANG ball 

The Gamecock defense wasn’t great last year, but they were excellent at creating turnovers, taking the ball away from their opponents 27 times in 2017 (15 interceptions & 12 fumble recoveries). If necessary, NC State Quarterback Ryan Finley needs to be willing to chuck it out of bounds, instead of making risky passes down field. Hines, Gallaspy, and Nichols…I’m looking at you…hold onto the ball.

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

Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston Signs with Marshall

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Former NC State Running Back Jordan Houston has officially transferred to Marshall for his final year of eligibility. NC State played Marshall this past season, but Houston didn’t play against the Thundering Herd, because he had already opted to redshirt the remainder of the season.

After playing in three games this past season, Houston opted to redshirt the remainder of the season (despite the fact that he was the starter at the time), giving him the ability to transfer with one year of eligibility remaining.

Houston played in 51 games for NC State over 5 years on the field, rushing for 1,392 yards (4.3 yards per carry) and 6 touchdowns. He also caught 60 passes for 398 yards and 1 touchdown.

Houston was a 3-Star prospect in NC State’s 2019 recruiting class out of Flint High School in Oakton, Virginia.

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NC State Football

Philip Rivers will Finally be Enshrined in the NC State Hall of Fame in April

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Wolfpack legend Philip Rivers will finally be inducted into the NC State Hall of Fame on April 20th!

Rivers was elected into the Hall of Fame back in 2013 (2nd year of the NC State Hall of Fame), but he has deferred his enshrinement over the years due to time constraints.

 

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Rivers pretty much owns every NC State record for Quarterbacks, and still has the most Career Passing Yards and Passes Completed in ACC history, and he ranks 3rd in Touchdown Passes. Rivers was the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2000, and the ACC Player of the Year in 2003.

You can buy your tickets here.

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NC State Football

DJ Burns Had a Word for Wolfpack Fans After Winning the ACC Championship

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When NC State’s DJ Burns was giving his acceptance speech after receiving the 2024 ACC Tournament MVP Award, Burns had the following quote to say when asked what he wanted to say to the fans.

“I’m going to keep it real simple. Thank you to the ones who’ve been consistent throughout the ride, and welcome back everybody else.”

Burns’ words struck a chord.

Throughout much of this season, it was embarrassing to see all the empty seats in PNC Arena.

As the Wolfpack lost 7 of their final 9 regular season games, it was clear that this team wasn’t just losing games, but they were also losing much of the fanbase.

It’s clear from Burns’ words that the empty seats were noticed, and so were the words of fans online.

NC State finished the regular season 10th, and much of the fanbase was frustrated, and rightfully so.

But, frustrated doesn’t have to mean giving up.

‘Never giving up’ is kind of supposed to be NC State’s thing.

The words of Jimmy V reverberate throughout the history of NC State basketball.

This team didn’t always put W’s in the Win column this season, and it wasn’t always an easy watch, but never for a moment were these players not playing as hard as they could for their school, one another, and their coach.

They never gave up.

Fans have a right to be frustrated, but you can still show up for a team, even when they struggle, because that’s what loyal fans do. When players wear a jersey with NC State across the chest, and they don’t give up, their fans shouldn’t either.

NC State fans aren’t known to be fair weather fans. Let’s not get in the business of leading our players to think we are.

But, like Burns said, whether you’ve been along for the ride all season or not, it’s time to hop on.

 

 

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NC State Football

WATCH: PackInsider’s 2023 Sean Brown Highlight Reel

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This past season was a breakout season for Junior Safety, now turned Linebacker, Sean Brown.

This past season, Brown started in 11 of the 13 games that he played in, and ranked 3rd on the team in tackles (66) and pass breakups (5). He also had 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions and 1 forced fumble. Brown’s PFF Grade of 63.7 ranked 13th on the team. His Tackling Grade of 86.6 ranked 2nd on the team behind Payton Wilson.

As you will notice in our Highlight Reel ABOVE, Brown lived in the box, and is a very ferocious tackler. He will fit right in at Linebacker next year for the Wolfpack.

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