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NC State Football

Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Boston College

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5 years ago

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NC State (4-2) will kickoff against Boston College (3-3) in a couple of hours at Noon, but before they do, here’s a preview of the Golden Eagles.

Offense

A.J. Dillon

NC State might lead the ACC in Run Defense, but they haven’t faced Junior Running Back A.J. Dillon yet. Dillon (6’0″/245) is a force of nature. He’s rushed for 745 yards through 6 games (6 touchdowns), and has rushed for 100+ yards in 4 consecutive games. He’s the ACC rushing leader, and ranks 5th nationally.

The Wolfpack was lucky in 2018, and didn’t have to deal with Dillon due to injury, but did face him during his Freshman campaign in 2017. NC State found a way to beat BC, despite allowing Dillon to rush for 196 yards on his home turf.

Dillon isn’t invincible. He has been contained before, but those times have been few and far between. Syracuse, Clemson and Purdue were the only schools to keep Dillon under 66.7 yards (NC State’s Run Defense Average) in 2018. No one has done so through 6 games this year.

Dillon isn’t the only Running Threat

Unfortunately for the Pack, Dillon isn’t all that the Golden Eagles running game has to offer. While he averages 124.2 yards rushing per game, the team averages an insane 253.2.

Sophomore David Bailey has 329 yards rushing, which is only 25 yards less than NC State’s leading rusher, Zonovan Knight.

Freshman Wide Receiver Zay Flowers is versatile, and has rushed the ball 16 times for 168 yards, for an average of 10.1 yards per carry.

QB Anthony Brown is OUT…Dennis Grosel is IN…

Boston College averages more yards rushing than passing, but they have been far from inefficient through the air. Redshirt Junior Anthony Brown’s Passing Efficiency Rating of 154.5 ranks 4th in the ACC.

Unfortunately for Brown and BC, but fortunately for NC State, Brown won’t be playing today after suffering a season ending knee injury in the 2nd quarter of their game against Louisville.

Instead, the Wolfpack will face Redshirt Sophomore Dennis Grosel has only completed 38.7% of his passes (12/31).

Don’t Sleep on BC’s Receivers

While BC averages more rushing yards (253.2) than receiving yards (235), the Golden Eagles have more touchdown receptions than rushing touchdowns (14/12). Senior Tight End Korab Idrizi has 4 of the 14.

The yards they tend to get through the air can be explosive, with five 50+ yard pass plays in their belt, ranking 8th nationally. Freshman Zay Flowers has been a difference maker from the get-go, averaging 19.4 yards per reception. Redshirt Sophomore Hunter Long leads the team in receptions (15) and receiving yards (277), but more impressively he is averaging 18.5 yards per catch as a Tight End.

Explosive

Boston College’s offense is explosive. They rank 2nd in the ACC in Total Offense (488.2), and they tend to get it in chunks. The Golden Eagles have the 2nd most “explosive” plays in the ACC, with 19 plays of 30+ yards, which also ranks 13th nationally. They are averaging 14.8 yards per completion, which ranks 2nd in the ACC and 12th nationally.

This will be the best offense NC State has played this year, but one has to think they won’t be as effective or explosive without starting Quarterback Anthony Brown.

Offensive Line

BC has been known for their quality offensive linemen over the years, and 2019 is no different. Despite having 3 new starters on the line, the Golden Eagles rank 1st in the nation in sacks allowed per game (0.5), and their rushing offense ranks 9th.

NC State has racked up 8 sacks in each of the past two games, but they haven’t faced a line like BC’s all season long.

 

Defense

How is Boston College 3-3 with such an explosive offense?

Opposing offenses tend to be explosive against the Golden Eagle Defense.

Boston College boasts the worst defense in the ACC, giving up an average of 476.2 yards per game. Giving up close to 500 yards of offense per game is insanity. They are pretty much equally bad at stopping both the run game and the passing game.

Opponents are averaging 191.8 yards on the ground (13th in ACC), and 284.3 through the air (13th in ACC).

On paper, NC State’s Freshmen duo of Zonovan Knight and Jordan Houston should have a field day. On paper, today should be a confidence builder for Wolfpack Quarterback Bailey Hockman, and maybe Devin Leary.

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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

NC State has Produced 19 1st Round NFL Draft Picks

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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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