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NC State vs. Miss State | Week 2 | Preview and How to Watch

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3 years ago

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NC State Wolfpack vs. Miss State Bulldogs
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: Starkville, MS
TV: ESPN2
Line: NCSU -1.5

 

After handling business against University of South Florida, the Wolfpack hit the road for some SEC action. Can the running game continue to amaze? Can this defense force turnovers and win field position? Let’s dig it…

Miss State Preview

For a good chunk of last Saturday, this preview was going to be about how bad Miss State looked in their opening game against LA Tech. Nothing was going right and the struggle was real.

MSU then proceeded to have their largest fourth quarter comeback in school history.

Final score, 35-34 Miss State, with 21 unanswered fourth quarter points. It definitely wasn’t pretty, but a win’s, a win. Miss State had six, SIX turnovers while giving up three sacks. Quarterback Will Rogers was consistent (39/47, 370 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT), but he was moving in and out of the pocket with the o-line struggling to contain. A concern for the Wolfpack, is the ball was moved all around this offense. Eight Bulldogs had multiple catches, with five going over 50 receiving yards.

Rushing game was…well…ehh. Taking out Rogers’ massive sack yardage debt, Marks and Johnson averaged close to six yards a rush, but rarely saw the ball. This offense is truly “Air Raid” Mike Leach style.

Miss State’s defense is stout on the run, but will give you chances in the passing game. Look for Leary and State to go deep when given the opportunity.

 

Keys to Winning for the Wolfpack

  • TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS, TURNOVERS: Going to go out on a limb and say that Miss State won’t fumble it another five times, but they are careless with the ball. LA Tech isn’t a chump (and we’ll double check that in a future game against them), but this State defense is faster, stronger and more disciplined. While USF QBs were under continual pressure, State failed to gain a single sack. This Miss State team only goes as far as Will Rogers can throw, so get in the backfield and disrupt. Need to win the turnover battle by at least +2 AND get on the stat sheet with some sacks.
  • Run Baby, Run: Again, hard to judge so early and with a poor USF defense as the lone example, but Knight and Person need to keep it going. Leary should be able to pick up yards through the air (and some nice scramble opportunities, himself). How well the Pack can run, is a huge difference in this game. Whether allowing for play action or running out the clock, we need 175+ total yards out of this duo.
  • Weather the Cowbells and Take Control: We were mightily impressed by how well NC State reacted with a loud Carter-Finley behind them. They were aggressive but not out of control. They’ll need that level head early with a night game in Starkville. Don’t let the SEC moniker, cowbell swinging, sea of maroon knock our focus. The Wolfpack are the better squad, just need to settle into their game early (a la USF) and go.

Prediction

Don’t expect Miss State to fall off the face of the Earth for an entire half again…but also don’t think they are consistent enough to be a contender. NC State has speed, strength and experience. It’ll be back and forth, but turnovers and offense clicking will be the key for the Wolfpack. DBs and LBs be ready…

Wolfpack Wins,  34-27

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NC State Football

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

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3 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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3 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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NC State Football

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

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5 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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6 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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