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GAMEDAY PRIMER: NC State vs ECU | Keys to the Game and How to Watch

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9 months ago

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#13 NC State Wolfpack @ ECU
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Greenville, NC
TV: ESPN
Line: NC State -12

#13 NC State heads to Greenville, NC to take on the ECU Pirates in their season-opener.

NC State fan’s are holding their breath, hoping that all the hype the Pack has been getting this offseason is for real. Meanwhile, ECU fans are approaching this one as a nothing-to-lose showdown. Will NC State’s talent, overmatch the Pirates, or will the pressure of being nationally ranked weigh heavy on the Pack?

Getting to know ECU
We broke down ECU, player by player, earlier this morning. But the gist of it is, this is a team coming off a 7-5 season, who believed they are on the rise.

They have a QB (Holton Ahlers) who has been under center for them for over 3 years, and one capable of having a big game. One thing to watch however, is who he’ll be throwing to, as 2 of his favorite targets from a year ago are gone.

And it’s not like ECU doesn’t have a running game. Sophomore Keaton Mitchell was All-AAC last year. This kid is a homerun hitter who can score any time he touches the football.

Defensively this is a team with some turnover, especially in the secondary. This might spell trouble for them since it’s likely Doeren opts to let Devin Leary air it out a bit more this season.

Keys to the game for NC State
Just stay solid on defense. Don’t over-pursue, don’t get caught jumping passes looking for the big play. NC State has a very talented defense, that if it just relies on their talent and playing fundamental football, will be too much for ECU. However, the Pirates have guys who can hurt you, especially Keaton Mitchell.

Offensively, the Pack is going to want to establish a rhythm early. Getting Leary comfortable right off the bat would be ideal. A few short passes to get the offense clicking wouldn’t hurt. It’s also going to be important for NC State to establish the run at some point early on. With a lot of question marks there, it’s likely ECU is going to be sitting back and trying not to let Leary beat them. Meanwhile, a big game from Jordan Houston would go along way in overwhelming the Pirate D.

How to Watch
This game is nationally televised on ESPN. That means, if you have cable or a streaming service that carries ESPN, you’re good. Shouldn’t be very complicated to watch this one. If you don’t have ESPN, then every sports bar in your town will have access to it. Looking for Radio affiliates or anything else related to watching the back, head over to our trusty guide to watching the Pack.

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NC State Football

Dave Doeren Led the Hurricanes to a Game 1 Victory Over Devils

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3 weeks ago

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May 4, 2023

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NC State Head Football Coach Dave Doeren helped lead the Carolina Hurricanes to a Game 1 victory over the New Jersey Devils in Game 1 of the 2nd Round of the playoffs. Doeren was ferocious in sounding the siren.

The Canes demolished the Devils 5-1 last night. Go Canes!

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NC State Football

Which NC State Players Signed with NFL Teams as Undrafted Free Agents?

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4 weeks ago

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May 1, 2023

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Chandler Zavala was the only player from NC State that was drafted this past weekend in the 2023 NFL Draft. So which Wolfpack players signed with NFL teams as undrafted free agents?

NC State has quite a few players playing in the NFL that went undrafted: Defensive Tackle T.Y. McGill, Running Back Zonovan Knight, and Wide Receiver Jakobi Meyers.

The Chargers organization must have liked what was going on in Raleigh, signing 3 Wolfpack players as undrafted free agents.

The Bolts signed Safety Tanner Ingle.

Also heading to Los Angeles is Defensive Back Tyler Baker-Williams.

Los Angeles might have found their kicker of the future in Christopher Dunn.

Linebacker Isaiah Moore has signed with the reigning Super Bowl Champs in Kansas City.

Moore is joining former Wolfpacker Joe Thuney in KC.

Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas has signed with the Minnesota Vikings.

Thomas is joining former Wolfpacker Garrett Bradbury in Minnesota.

Thayer’s brother, Linebacker Drake Thomas signed with the Las Vegas Raiders.

Thomas joins former Wolfpacker’s Jakobi Meyers (WR) and A.J. Cole (P).

Cornerback Derrek Pitts has signed with Tampa Bay.

Defensive Tackle Cory Durden has signed with the Detroit Lions.

Durden joins former Wolfpacker Alim McNeil, who also plays Defensive Tackle.

Finally, Punter Shane McDonough is a rookie mini-camp invitee.

 

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NC State Football

Chandler Zavala was NC State’s Lone Draft Pick in 2023

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4 weeks ago

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May 1, 2023

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Surprisingly, NC State only had one player taken in the 2023 NFL Draft. Unsurprisingly, Offensive Lineman Chandler Zavala was that singular player.

The Carolina Panthers drafted Zavala in the 4th round with the 114th overall pick.

This marks the second year in a row that the Panthers have selected an offensive linemen from NC State, drafting Ikem Ekwonu with the 6th overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft.

Zavala and Ekwonu played beside one another in Raleigh on the left side, and there’s a chance that they will eventually do the same thing on Sunday’s for Carolina.

Zavala is coming off of a season where he earned 1st Team All-ACC honors, and didn’t give up a single sack.

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NC State Football

NC State’s Demie Sumo-Karngbaye Enters Transfer Portal

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1 month ago

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April 27, 2023

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NC State Running Back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye has officially entered the Transfer Portal. As a Redshirt Freshman this past season, he rushed for 305 yards (5.5 yards per carry) and 3 touchdowns. Sumo-Karngbaye also had 12 receptions for 148 yards and a touchdown.

Demie was electric to start the season, but battled injuries all season long. In conference play, he was limited, only rushing the ball 16 times for 53 yards (3.3 yards per carry) with 0 touchdowns.

There’s no denying that the Wolfpack Running Back room is crowded. From the beginning of the season, Sumo-Karngbaye shared carries with Jordan Houston, who is once again returning this season. After Sumo-Karngbaye continued to miss action due to injuries, True Freshman Michael Allen stepped in and proved to be more than ready for the spotlight, averaging 5.1 yards per carry (53 carries), with most of those carries coming against ACC opponents. Not to mention the fact that True Freshman Kendrick Raphael will look to make an instant impact this Fall.

With all of this being said, I don’t get this move. At the end of the day, every young man has to make the decision they think is best, but Sumo-Karngbaye had every reason to to expect significant playing time in 2023, as long as he could prove to stay healthy.

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