Connect with us

NC State Football

NC State vs. USF | Week 1 | Preview and How to Watch

Published

3 years ago

on

NC State Wolfpack vs. University of South Florida Bulls
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: A LOUD Carter-Finley
TV: ACCN
Line: NCSU -19

 

WE’VE MADE IT PEOPLE!!! IT’S GAMEDAY IN RALEIGH!!!

After nearly 650 days without a packed Carter-Finley, Wolfpack football returns with an opportunity to run with the true dark horse label for the 2021 football season. After going 8-4 last season, State enters a Thursday night season opener against a beatable USF Bulls team.

 

USF Preview

Last time we did a preview of a USF team (Women’s Bball) we got into some…let’s say…debates on social with folks down in Tampa. They weren’t happy that we were throwing shade on their squad…and here we are again.

The 2020 season couldn’t have gone much worse for the Bulls. Their lone win, in 9 games, was in the season opener against The Citadel. Then, well, it just was a long, painful grind.

Like any new season, things can change. Plenty of transfers have come in to right the ship, and offensively, they do have talent. Their O-Line, RBs and WRs all have plenty of snaps to compete. Their QB? Cade Fortin, who State fans will know from his time at UNC. We’d like to say that season was too long ago to matter, but Carolina finished 2-9 and Fedora canned…so it totally matters.

Where State can really take advantage is against USF’s defense. Last year, the Bulls managed 7…SEVEN…total sacks on the season. To put that into perspective, State’s Daniel Joseph had 6.5 by himself. For Leary to come back, settle in and make his reads in week one, will be HUGE for confidence and season-long momentum.

 

Keys to Winning for the Wolfpack

  • We just mentioned this, but State has to take advantage of every opportunity this USF  defense gives them. Furthermore, they NEED to protect the ball. Turnovers were absolute killers last year for the Wolfpack. They get a chance to start a season against a poor defense, who’s solid transfers have yet to see game action in their new scheme. Keep passes short and clean, get into a nice pace and allow yourself to find that perfect run/pass balance.
  • Secondary can have themselves a night. Fortin is decent, but he’s going to give you a couple lame ducks that need to be intercepted. The ability for Joseph and company to get into the backfield, will only help State’s cause.
  • Can State improve their run defense? What USF’s backfield lacks in size, they make up in speed. Joiner and Battie can absolutely fly. State needs to control the edge and make them push inside. The STELLAR State linebacker core has to do their thing in the cleanup department.

Prediction

On paper, this is all State. If this was week five and we saw the same type of USF play as last year, this would be a cake walk. The -19 spread is scary, but if State finds their groove early, this could be a fun one.

Set the tone offensively, show continued improvement on defense, let’s get this 2021 campaign started.

State – 37
USF -17

Related Topics:
1 Comment
Subscribe
Notify of
1 Comment
newest
oldest most Upvoted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Papajohn
Papajohn
2 years ago

Great first game!!

0

NC State Football

ON3: NC State’s Dave Doeren is 1 of the Top-25 Best Coaches in College Football

Published

7 hours ago

on

April 25, 2024

By

ON3’s Jesse Simonton ranked the Top-25 College Football Coaches heading into the 2024 season, and NC State’s Dave Doeren ranks 23rd.

Image

Here’s what Simonton had to say about Doeren:

23. Dave Doeren, NC State

Doeren became the Wolfpack’s all-time winningest head coach last season, overcoming all manors of offensive ineptitude to win eight games for the fourth straight season. He still hasn’t busted through the glass ceiling and taken NC State to an ACC Championship, but the Wolfpack have legitimate conference title hopes in 2024 with the offseason work Doeren has done via the portal (quarterback Grayson McCall, tailbacks Jordan Waters and Hollywood Smothers and receivers Noah Rogers and Wesley Grimes). 

In 11 seasons in Raleigh, Doeren’s program has been steadily consistent and has become a model for development (17 NFL Draft picks since 2018) and strength and conditioning. (ON3)

ACC Coaches in the Top-25

6. Dabo Swinney (Clemson)

7. Mike Norvell (FSU)

20. Jeff Brohm (Louisville)

23. Dave Doeren (NC State)

Continue Reading

NC State Football

NC State has Produced 19 1st Round NFL Draft Picks

Published

16 hours ago

on

April 25, 2024

By

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.

Continue Reading

NC State Football

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

Published

2 days ago

on

April 24, 2024

By

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.

 

Continue Reading

NC State Football

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

Published

5 days ago

on

April 20, 2024

By

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!

Continue Reading