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NC State Football

NC State Get’s Lucky in Season Opening 21-20 Victory Over East Carolina

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2 years ago

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Well…for once…NC State got lucky.

With 8 seconds left in the game, East Carolina missed a 41-yard field goal to beat NC State.

Let it be known that ECU’s Place Kicker, Sophomore Owen Daffer, earned 1st Team All-AAC honors in 2021.

Oh…did I mention that he missed an extra point with 2:58 seconds left in the 4th Quarter.

This game should have either gone into overtime…or the Pirates should have won the game…but that’s why you play the game…right?

With a bit of luck NC State beat ECU for only the second time ever in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (2-4), bringing the overall series to 19-13.

NC State led 21-7 at the half.

Mind you…7 of those NC State points came from a blocked punt by Redshirt Junior Jasiah Provillon that was recovered by Redshirt Freshman Sean Brown…which is awesome…but let’s not act like the Wolfpack offense created a 14-point lead at the half.

Before I move on from the first half, I should point out that Graduate Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas caught his 21st career touchdown in the 1st half, tying Jerricho Cothcery for 2nd all-time in NC State history. Thomas finished the day with 4 receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.

The other Wolfpack touchdown in the 1st half is credited to Redshirt Freshman Demi Sumo-Karngbaye, who scurried into the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown. Sumo proved to be one of the few bright spots in the Wolfpack victory, rushing for 79 yards on 14 attempts (5.6 yards per carry). His counterpart, Junior Running Back Jordan Houston ran the ball 15 times for 59 yards (3.7 yards per carry).

The Wolfpack managed to put 0 points on the board in the 2nd half.

Today was not Redshirt Junior Quarterback Devin Leary’s day. He was 17 of 33 for 211 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Leary’s Passing Efficiency Rating was a measly 109.2.

Did NC State for once get lucky? I’ll say the odds weren’t in their favor.

ECU had more total yards (364/344) and won the time of possession battle (32:09/27:51).

On another note, Redshirt Junior Linebacker Payton Wilson went down with a shoulder injury, and was seen on the sideline in street clothes. I feel terrible for the kid, but he was seen giving a thumbs up on the sideline. His replacement, Junior Jaylon Scott stepped up in a big way, leading the Wolfpack with 8 tackles. Here’s to hoping that Payton’s alright.

Also, Redshirt Junior Tight End Trent Pennix left the game with a wrist injury, but he was upbeat on Twitter after the game.

Maybe former Wide Receiver Emeka Emezie said it best…for the first time watching the game, rather than playing in it.

Alright…let me shoot straight…I wouldn’t have bet money that NC State would have covered the 11.5 spread. I thought this was going to be a close one. Did I think the Wolfpack would make it this close…no. Did I think NC State was going to get lucky…no.

But at the end of the day…the 13th ranked Wolfpack went into hostile territory and walked out with a W…and I guess you can say…that’s all that matters.

 

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Matthew is Publisher and Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He is also the Lead Pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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Howler
Howler
1 year ago

We did score on a QB sneak. Refs just took it away. Unwillingness to try it again puzzling at best.

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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

That 2nd half was rough!!

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Brandon Lane

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2 hours ago

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May 6, 2024

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NC State offered Stephen F. Austin (FCS) Transfer Defensive Tackle Brandon Lane (6’3″/300) yesterday.

Lane started in 6 of the 11 games he played in for Stephen F. Austin this past season. He finished the year with 44 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. His PFF Grade was 74.6, which ranked 4th on the Lumberjacks Defense. His 79.9 Run Defense Grade ranked 3rd on the team. In 2022, Lane played 7 games as a reserve for Stephen F. Austin, recording 11 tackles 2.5 tackles for loss and 1 sack.

Lane spent his first two collegiate seasons at South Dakota State (2000-21). In 2000, he played in 1 game. In 2021, he played in 3 games as a reserve for the Jackrabbits. The 2000 season was the Covid Year, and the 2021 season was his redshirt year. As a result, Lane still has two years of eligibility remaining.

Around a week-and-a-half ago, Lane committed to Michigan St., but then he decommitted from the Spartans on May 2nd.

I don’t think Michigan St. is necessarily off the table, and he has visited Washington and West Virginia.

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NC State Football

Congrats to NC State Football’s Spring Graduates!

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3 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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Congratulations to the 7 NC State Football Players that just graduated this Spring.

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2024 Football Spring Graduates

Linebacker Devon Betty (1 year of eligibility)

Defensive End Davin Vann (1 year of eligibility)

Cornerback Aydan White (1 year of eligibility)

Offensive Guard Anthony Carter Jr. (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Lineman Matt McCabe (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Tackle Patrick Matan (2 years of eligibility)

Offensive Lineman Brendan Lawson (no longer on the roster)

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NC State Football

Proposed Bill in the NC House Would Require NC State & UNC To Play One Another, as well as ECU, UNCC and App St.

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3 days ago

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May 3, 2024

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A bill has been proposed by members of the North Carolina House of Representatives that would force NC State and UNC to play one another, as well as East Carolina, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State.

According to House Bill 965, which you can read here in full, NC State and UNC would be required to play one another annually in Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball. The Wolfpack and the Tar Heels would also be forced to play a game annually in all three sports against either ECU, UNC-Charlotte or App St. Every six years, NC State and UNC would be required to have played a home and away game against each of the three school in all three sports.

Here’s the exact wording from the proposed bill:

Competition Required. – A high-enrollment institution shall do all of the following in each eligible sport: (1) Every academic year, play at least one home or one away game against (i) another high-enrollment institution and (ii) an eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution. (2) Every six academic years, play at least one home and one away game against each eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution. A high-enrollment institution shall alternate home and away games that are scheduled against the same eligible constituent institution that is not a high-enrollment institution.

For glossary of terms being referenced above:

For the purposes of this bill, “High-enrollment institutions” = NC State and UNC, while “Eligible constituent institutions” = East Carolina, UNC Charlotte and Appalachian State.

It’s worth noting that NC State already has games schedule against each of these teams home-and-away in Football between now and 2031.

2025 – East Carolina (H)

2025 – @ App St.

2026 – App St. (H)

2028 – @ East Carolina

2030 – Charlotte (H)

2031 – @ Charlotte

What are your thoughts?

For more details, check out this article at WRAL.

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NC State Football

Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. will Take an Official Visit at NC State Next Week

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4 days ago

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May 2, 2024

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Akron Safety Kerry Martin Jr. (6’1″/195) confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to NC State next week beginning on May 7th.

After receiving an offer from NC State yesterday, it didn’t take him long to set up the visit.

Martin Jr. is familiar with NC State, because he was recruited by Wolfpack Defensive Coordinator Tony Gibson before he left West Virginia to come to Raleigh. Even though he never coached him, a relationship was established.

Martin Jr.’s connections to NC State are deeper than that. Former NC State Cornerback Derrek Pitts, who is currently a member of the Tampa Bay Bucs, is his cousin.

This past year, Martin Jr. recorded 45 tackles, 2 interceptions and 6 pass breakups for Akron, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. His PFF Grade was 68.9.

In 2022, he had 53 tackles, 1 interception and 1 pass breakup, starting in 9 of the 11 games he played in. Martin Jr.’s PFF Grade was 60.9.

In 2019, as a Freshman for West Virginia, Martin Jr. earned PFF Freshman All-American honors, recording a grade of 70.6, with 50 tackles and 3 pass breakups.

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