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Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Florida State

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5 years ago

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NC State will begin ACC play down in Tallahassee tonight at 7:30pm on ACC Network, but before they do, here’s a preview of the Seminoles.

FSU is never an easy victory in Doak Campbell Stadium, winning 76% of their games at home.

With that being said, the Wolfpack have never been an easy victory for the Seminoles, even when they were a perennial powerhouse. Since 2000, 12 of the 19 games have been decided by 10 points or less. Eight of those 12 games have been decided by 7 points or less. Only Miami and Clemson have played the Noles that close through the past two decades.

This years FSU squad is carried by Junior Running Back Cam Akers, who leads the ACC in rushing yards per game (124.8), and rushing touchdowns on the year (6). Last year, the Wolfpack wasn’t intimdated by Akers, holding him to 29 yards rushing (2.9 yards per carry), and he didn’t do that much better his Freshman year, rushing for 56 yards (4.7 yards per carry).

Redshirt Quarterback James Blackman’s first career game was against the Wolfpack after Deondre Francois went down with a season ending injury his Freshman season. Even though he technically redshirted last year, he did play in 3 games under the new rules, and managed to blast the NC State secondary for 421 yards and 4 touchdowns. He currently ranks 6th in the ACC in passing yards per game (242.5), 3rd in touchdown passes (9), and 5th in passing efficiency (155.8). It’s looking like he is set to play, despite spraining his MCL last week.

Blackman has a stud to throw it to in Sophomore Tamorrion Terry. As a True Freshman last year, he led the Noles in receiving yards (744) and touchdown receptions (8). Terry was a Preseason All-ACC selection, and hasn’t disappointed thus far, with 16 receptions for 307 yards (2 touchdowns). Standing 6’4”, he is averaging a gaudy 19.2 yards per reception.

Junior Defensive Tackle Marvin Wilson is a force in the middle for Florida State. Wilson earned All-ACC Honorable Mention last year, and was a beast against Louisville last weekend, with 10 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. He is a projected 2nd round pick next year, and could go in the 1st.

The Seminoles have made a course correction from last year, and are turning their opponents over at a much higher clip. Through only 4 games, FSU is already halfway to last years total, recovering 7 fumbles and snagging 4 interceptions.

The Wolfpack is averaging 212 yards on the ground per game, but FSU might have something to say about that. Over the past two weeks, they’ve held UVA and Louisville to an average of 122 yards rushing. They held the Cavaliers to 50 yards under their season average, and the Cardinals 140 yards under theirs.

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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

WATCH: Hollywood Smothers Leads NC State in Rushing at the Spring Game

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2 days ago

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April 18, 2024

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Redshirt Freshman Hollywood Smothers seemingly was the 3rd string Running Back in NC State’s 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back, but at the end of the game, he had more rushing yards than any other back.

Smothers rushed the ball 8 times for 75 yards. He possesses explosive speed, as well as excellent vision.

Check out Pack Insider’s Tape of Smothers from the Spring Game.





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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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NC State offered Interior Offensive Lineman D’Angalo Titialii (6’2″/320) today. After entering the Portal, the Wolfpack were the first to offer him.

Titialii spent his first three seasons at Portland State, which competes in the FCS. This year, he was the starting Center for the Vikings, and the year before he was their starting Left Guard. Over three seasons, Titialii started in 28 of the 32 games he played in.

Titialii is an intriguing prospect, considering he can play numerous positions on the Offensive Line.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Elinus Noel III

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2 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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After Elinus Noel III (6’2″/230) entered the Transfer Portal yesterday, it didn’t take long for NC State to extend an offer.

He also has picked up offers from Baylor and Temple.

Noel III played last year at Texas Southern, which is in the FCS. As a Junior, he had 52 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks in 10 games.

Prior to Texas Southern, Noel III spent his first two seasons at Nicholls State, where he recorded a total of 53 tackles.

247Sports ranked him as a 3-Star prospect in the 2021 recruiting class out of New Orleans (LA).

Noel III has 1 year of eligibility remaining.

With Nick Campbell entering the Transfer Portal, NC State is in the hunt for some depth at Nose Tackle. Even if the staff were to feel confident with what they have in JR Brandon Cleveland and RS-SODJ Jackson, the Wolfpack is in need of depth at the position.

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NC State Football

WATCH: In NC State’s Spring Game, Tight End Justin Joly Showed He is Going to Be Trouble for Opposing Defenses in ’24

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3 days ago

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April 17, 2024

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It was evident NC State Tight End Justin Joly (6’3″/235) is going to be a problem for opposing defenses after his performance in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. He is an extremely athletic Tight End, but he’s also bigger and more physical than I expected.

According to my calculations, Joly had 3 receptions for 56 yards and a touchdown. He started things off with a 3-yard touchdown in the corner of the end zone. He followed that up with a 16 yard catch across the middle through contact. Finally, Joly was the recipient of a double-reverse flea flicker, from RB Demarcus Jones II to WR Kevin Concepcion to QB Grayson McCall to him, for a 37-yard gain.

Joly transferred to NC State this offseason from UCONN, and he was the #2 Tight End in the Transfer Portal according to ON3. He had an incredible Sophomore campaign this past year, catching 56 passes for 578 yards and 2 touchdowns. Joly had 4 receptions for 38 yards in the season opener against the Wolfpack.

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