Connect with us

NC State Football

Vonwolf: I’m Anti-Ballpark Bowls, But Petco Pack is a Beauty

Published

on

When I randomly watch bowl games, two thoughts are usually repeated each year; 1) Why the hell are some of these bowl games on at 2:30? and 2) I don’t like them being played in a ballpark.

The latter might change for the Holiday Bowl.

 

Changing My Mind

I love baseball. I’ve been fortunate enough to have gone to my fair share of MiLB and MLB ballparks nation-wide. Towards the top of my list? Petco Park in San Diego.

Maybe it’s the brick warehouse feel in left. The skyline wraps around the park, in the most gorgeous of manners. Overall, it’s just an awesome environment. And no sane person could keep it out of their top-ten MLB parks.

But I don’t like football, in ballparks…

It just always seems like they are awkwardly squeezed in. Then you have the issue of the endzone ending, to a three-foot gap before a padded wall. Player safety issues galore. And no disrespect to Fenway or Yankee Stadium, but you place a football field in those environments and it’s just stands facing opposite way weirdly. You’re in a historic park, but the atmosphere kind of ends there.

But look at this beaut…

I don’t know how to describe it, but it feels like it’s better for football, no? Still the endzone issues, but overall, it doesn’t take too much imagination to see it converted to an awesome football stadium. (If Padres left and Chargers came home, it wouldn’t take massive changes to make it right).

Looking forward to watching this gorgeous ballpark on Tuesday night.

Passionate State fan that just wants to win...something...like anything...

NC State Football

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

Published

on

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 DoerenNC 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

on

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

on

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

on

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