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NC State Football

#24 NC State Picks up a STATEMENT Win Over #17 Louisville

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7 years ago

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#24 NC State pulled off the ‘upset’ over #17 Louisville last night, defeating the Cardinals 39-25.

But the Wolfpack’s demeanor after the game was cool, calm and collected. They didn’t look like they just ‘upset’ a team. They looked like a team that beat a team they thought they should beat.

In every facet of the game, NC State was better than Louisville.

Wolfpack Quarterback Ryan Finley faced off against the reigning Heisman trophy winner, Lamar Jackson, and on this particular night, Finley was the superior Quarterback. Finley was 20 of 31 for 367 yards with 1 passing touchdown. Jackson was 26 of 47 for 354 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Finley was composed all game long, and Jackson was rarely comfortable.

NC State’s offensive line was droves better than Louisville’s. The Wolfpack’s Band of Brothers didn’t allow Finley to get sacked for the third straight ACC game. That’s bonkers. On the other side, Louisville’s offensive line was unable to keep Jackson safe, allowing him to be sacked 4 times, and NC State also was credited with 5 more QB Pressures.

The Wolfpack’s receivers were superior to the Cardinals receivers. They were 1 yard away from rolling out 3 100-yard receivers in a single game. Sophomore Kelvin Harmon, who has been quiet in the past two games, played like a boss, catching 6 passes for 133 yards and a touchdown. Senior Jaylen Samuels had 7 catches for 104 yards (a career high), and Redshirt Junior Stephen Louis had 3 catches for 99 yards. Louisville did boast two 100-yard receivers as well, in Dez Fitzpatrick (134 yards) and Seth Dawkins (133 yards), but their performance was overshadowed by the Wolfpack receivers.

NC State’s rushing attack was more impressive than Louisville’s. Yes, Lamar Jackson scrambled for 73 yards and two touchdowns, but NC State’s Nyheim Hines rushed for 102 yards (second straight 100-yard performance), averaging 5.7 yards per carry, and picked up 2 rushing touchdowns.

Wolfpack punter A.J. Cole continued to be one of the more impressive punters in the ACC last night, averaging 45 yards per punt, and also managed to pin two within the 20. Louisville punter Mason King was unable to match Cole, averaging 40.6 yards per punt, and pinned just 1 punt within the 20.

NC State’s Nyheim Hines was superior to Louisville’s Traveoon Samuel and Seth Dawkins in the kickoff return game. Hines racked up 105 yards compared to their 71.

Finally, the Wolfpack defense was better picking up 6 tackles for loss (Bradley Chubb picked up 2 more), compared to Louisville’s 3.

NC State believed they were the better team. They didn’t think they were walking on to their home field to claim what was rightfully theirs. They thought they were the better team, and they were.

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

NC State Football

Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. will Take an Official Visit at NC State Next Week

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3 hours ago

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May 2, 2024

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Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. (6’1″/195) confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to NC State next week beginning on May 7th.

After receiving an offer from NC State yesterday, it didn’t take him long to set up the visit.

Martin Jr. is familiar with NC State, because he was recruited by Wolfpack Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson before he left West Virginia to come to Raleigh. Even though he never coached him, a relationship was established.

Martin Jr.’s connections to NC State are deeper than that. Former NC State Cornerback Derrek Pitts, who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is his cousin.

This past year, Martin Jr. recorded 45 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups for Akron, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. His PFF Grade was 68.9.

In 2022, he had 53 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. Martin Jr.’s PFF Grade was 60.9.

In 2019, as a Freshman for West Virginia, Martin Jr. earned PFF Freshman All-American honors, recording a grade of 70.6, with 50 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

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NC State Football

NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll

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14 hours ago

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May 1, 2024

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247’s Brad Crawford released his Post-Spring 2024 Preseason College Football Top-25 recently, and NC State moved up 1 spot to #20.

ACC Teams in the Top-25

11. FSU

14. Miami

16. Clemson

20. NC State

24. Virginia Tech

25. Louisville

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NC State Football

NC State Ranks 8th in Players Selected in the NFL Draft in the ACC in the Last 10 Years

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3 days ago

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April 29, 2024

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The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone, and NC State had two players drafted: Linebacker Payton Wilson in the 3rd round, and Center Dylan McMahon in the 6th round.

Over the past 10 years, NC State has produced 25 NFL Draft picks, and 3 1st round picks. The 25 Draft Picks ranks 8th in the ACC, and the 3 1st Round picks is tied for 7th.

NC State produced 18 NFL Draft Picks in the first 5 Draft’s of Dave Doeren’s tenure. Only 8 Wolfpack players have been selected in the past 5 NFL Drafts.

Players selected in the NFL Draft under Dave Doeren:

2024

Payton Wilson, LB – Pittsburgh – 3rd – 98th
Dylan McMahon, C – Philadelphia – 6th – 190th

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NC State Football

NC State CB Shyheim Battle Receives Invitation to Jets Rookie Mini Camp

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4 days ago

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April 28, 2024

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NC State Cornerback Shyheim Battle has received an invitation from the New York Jets to participate in their Rookie Mini Camp.

Battle had 1 year of eligibility remaining, but declared for the NFL Draft on January 3rd.

He finished this past year as the most experienced player on the Wolfpack’s defense, starting in 41 of the 51 games he has played in dating back to 2019. In a rarity in this day-and-age, Battle was a 4-year starter at the Cornerback position for NC State. He graduated with a degree in Communications.

In his final season in Red and White, Battle had 46 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 2 interceptions, 4 pass breakups and 1 fumble recovery. His PFF Grade of 70.6 was the 7th best on the Wolfpack defense.

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