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NC State Football

Despite Losing to Clemson, NC State Can Make History if they Refocus

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6 years ago

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NC State suffered a brutal loss this past Saturday to Clemson 41-7, and it left a bitter taste in the mouth of Wolfpack fans.

It’s Tuesday now. Hock that loogie, and spit it out. There is a lot of football left to play in 2018, and a lot of history to be made.

NC State still has the chance to finish with the most wins in a single season in school history. Philip Rivers led the Wolfpack to an 11-win season back in 2002, setting a new school record for wins in a single season (previous record was 9). While ESPN’s FPI projections gives NC State a 49% chance to beat Syracuse on the road this weekend, the S&P gives a 53% chance of a Wolfpack victory. In fact, even with the loss to Clemson, the S&P projections point toward NC State winning the rest of their regular season games, finishing with 11 wins (FPI projects a win in every game except Syracuse, which is practically a tossup.) If the Wolfpack is able to refocus and run the table, they will win the most regular season games in school history, and have the opportunity in a bowl game to win a 12th game, which would set a new record. For perspective, only 11 NC State teams have ever won 9 games (last year being one of them). Only one team has won more than 9, and that was the Rivers led team in 2002 that beat Notre Dame in the Gator Bowl to close things out. Only two coaches in school history have led their teams to back-to-back 9-win seasons: Dick Sheridan and Lou Holtz.

The Wolfpack has a chance to finish in the Top-25 for the second consecutive season. The Wolfpack spent 10 weeks in the Top-25 in 2017, and finished ranked 23rd in both the AP and the Coaches Poll. Currently, they are ranked 22nd in both polls, and have been in the Top-25 for the past 4 weeks. If NC State takes care of business, they will finish in the Top-25 for the 2nd consecutive season. The last time that happened was 1991-92…26 years ago!

If NC State can find a way to go 5-0 the rest of the way in conference play, they will finish with 7 ACC wins, which would be the most in school history. Only six Wolfpack teams have won 6 ACC games, with last years team being one of them.

This past weekend was disappointing. NC State fans desperately want to get over the hump, and surpass Clemson, because they are the juggernaut between them and an ACC Championship, which the Wolfpack hasn’t won since 1979. Even if NC State would have beaten the Tigers on Saturday, they wouldn’t have been the better team. Dabo Swinney has built a program…a dynasty down in Tiger Town, and he has done that through consistency. Clemson finishes every year in the Top-25, and every year they reel in a Top-25 recruiting class.

Last year NC State finished in the Top-25 for the first time since 2010, and brought in a Top-25 recruiting class for the first time since 2008. One year is good…two years in a row is the beginning marks of consistency. The Wolfpack’s 2019 recruiting class currently ranks 20th according to Rivals. NC State hasn’t had back-to-back Top-25 recruiting classes…ever.

If NC State wants to get anywhere near Clemson’s level, they need to consistently finish in the Top-25, and consistently pull in Top-25 recruiting classes. There is a lot of work to be done in 2018, but the opportunity is on the table.

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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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ppack3
ppack3
5 years ago

Thank you, Matthew! This needed to be said, in a big way!

It is a lofty goal to win out this year, but that IS the goal. And, it is not only possible, but probable, according to S&P. I’m not counting on it, but I am excited about our chances.

Your points about where our program is at, compared to Clemson AND compared to Wolfpack history are incredibly on point. Kudos, sir.

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NC State Football

NC State has Produced 19 1st Round NFL Draft Picks

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3 hours ago

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April 25, 2024

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The 1st round of the 2024 NFL Draft will begin this evening at 8pm on ABC, ESPN and NFL Network. NC State has had 19 players drafted in the 1st round.

NC State ranks 8th in ACC history in 1st Round Picks.

Three of the Wolfpack’s 1st Round Picks have come under Dave Doeren’s watch, which ranks 2nd all-time in school history. Chuck Amato had 5 players drafted in the 1st round, which is the most ever under a coach at NC State.

Chuck Amato – 5
Dave Doeren – 3
Mike O’Cain – 2
Dick Sheridan – 2
Bo Rein – 2
Earle Edwards – 2

While most projections don’t have Wolfpack Linebacker Payton Wilson going in the 1st round tonight, a few do. Wilson was invited to attend the NFL Draft, but he will be tuning in from his home in Hillsborough. We’ll have to tune in tonight to see if Wilson hears his name called on the 1st night of the 2024 NFL Draft.

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NC State Football

WATCH QB Grayson McCall’s Tape from the 2024 NC State Spring Game

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1 day ago

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April 24, 2024

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NC State will have a new Quarterback in 2024 in Coastal Carolina Transfer Grayson McCall. A few weeks back, McCall looked sharp in the 2024 Spring Game, completing 16 of his 20 pass attempts for 205 yards and a touchdown. McCall was accuracy and composure were evident in his first time playing in Carter-Finley Stadium.

Check out McCall’s tape from the Spring Game.

 

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NC State Football

NC State Legend QB Roman Gabriel Passes Away at the Age of 83

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5 days ago

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April 20, 2024

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NC State legend Quarterback Roman Gabriel has passed away at the age of 83.

Gabriel’s Accolades

  • 2 time ACC Player of the Year (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-American (1960 & 1961)
  • 2 time 1st Team All-ACC (1960 & 1961)
  • 1st ACC QB to throw for 1,000 yards in a season
  • Left NC State with 22 school records and 9 ACC records
  • #1 pick in the AFL and #2 pick in the NFL
  • 16-year NFL career with the Rams & Eagles
  • 4 time Pro Bowler
  • NFL MVP in 1969
  • Led the NFL in Passing Yards in 1973
  • Led the NFL in Touchdown Passes in 1969 & 1973
  • Inaugural member of the NC State Hall of Fame
  • Ranks 1st all-time in Rams history in Touchdown Passes & 3rd in Passing Yards
  • First player to have their jersey number retired at NC State, on January 20, 1962.

Praying for the Gabriel family!

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NC State Baseball

NC State has Dominated UNC in Athletics in 2023-24

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5 days ago

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April 20, 2024

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After NC State clinched a series victory over UNC last night in Baseball, I thought it would be a good time to relish in how the Wolfpack has dominated the Tar Heels Athletic Program as a whole in 2023-24.

The Wolfpack Baseball team has won the first two games in the series against the Tar Heels, clinching a series victory over UNC for the first time since 2021. It marks the first time NC State has won a series against the Tar Heels in Raleigh since 2016.

NC State defeated UNC in Volleyball 3-1, winning in Chapel Hill for the first time in 25 years. The Tar Heels had won the last 5 matches against the Wolfpack.

The Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels 39-20 in Football in Carter-Finley Stadium. It marked the 3rd consecutive win over UNC.

NC State lost both regular season games to UNC in Men’s Basketball, but when it mattered most, the Wolfpack defeated the Tar Heels in the ACC Championship Game 84-76, winning their first title since 1987.

The Wolfpack Women’s Basketball team lost to their rival in Chapel Hill, but defeated UNC 63-59 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 5 of the last 7 against UNC.

In Gymnastics, NC State defeated UNC 196.725-194.925 in Raleigh. This marked the 3rd straight victory for the Wolfpack over the Tar Heels.

NC State’s Men & Women’s Swimming & Diving teams both beat UNC. The Men won 258-93, and the Women won 196-157.

The Wolfpack Wrestling team defeated UNC 33-6 in Reynolds Coliseum. NC State has won 11 straight Duals against the Tar Heels.

The NC State Men’s Tennis team defeated UNC 4-0, winning against their rival in back-to-back years.

The Wolfpack Women’s Tennis team has defeated the Tar Heels 4-3 on two occasions thus far this season, and will face their rival again today.

The Cross Country teams didn’t have individual meets against UNC, but the Women obviously beat them, because they won the ACC Championship. The Men didn’t, finishing 8th in the Conference, with the Tar Heels finishing 1st.

The only other NC State athletic team that didn’t taste victory against UNC this year was the Women’s Soccer team, losing 0-4 in Raleigh.

Of course, each of these NC State athletic teams has much higher goals than just beating their rival, but there’s no denying how sweet it is to beat the Tar Heels.

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