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NC State Football

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

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2 years ago

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#18 NC State Wolfpack vs. Charleston Southern
Time: 12:30pm
Location: Raleigh, NC
TV: RSN (Bally Sports South in most of NC)
Line: NC State -44.5

NC State opens things up at Carter-Finley this season with a matchup against Charleston Southern. This is a game where NC State is favored to win by 44.5 points which may seem crazy after they just squeaked by unranked ECU with a 1-point win, but it seems Vegas thinks the Pack is ready to bounce back.

In recent history, the Pack has struggled when coming into a football season with high expectations, and that was the narrative coming into this season. It was hard to believe with so much veteran talent that they would open the season flat again, but it happened. However, this time they were able to escape with a win.

Maybe that was the wake-up call they needed. Maybe today we finally see the all-out assault that we all know this team is capable of. Maybe they’ll have a chip on their shoulder from falling the 3rd most spots of any team in the AP Poll. We’ll have to wait and see.

Getting to know Charleston Southern

The Buccaneers are currently 0-1 after being blown out by Western Carolina 52-38 at home (now does that 44.5 line seem more reasonable?). They are coming off a 4-6 season where they finished 5th in the Big South.

They are going to throw it a lot and they are going to rely on freshman QB Ross Malmgren to handle those duties. He was 30-45 in the opener, good for 392 yards and 5 touchdowns. He did throw 1 INT.

Meanwhile, freshman TJ Ruff will likely get the majority of the carries. In week 1 he had 9 carries for 60 yards.

Honestly, the Charleston Southern offense, led by freshmen, didn’t do too shabby in week 1. It was the defense that really let them down, giving up over 600 total yards and 7 TDs to Western Carolina.

Keys to the game for NC State

– Don’t be scared to open things up
We want to see the play calling get a little more exciting. Let Leary, your Heismann candidate QB, take control of the game. Let him take a few deep shots on 1st down. Let’s see what he can do when we put it on his shoulders. Conservative play calling almost cost NC State in week 1, so we’re hoping to see that change.

– Take care of business
If NC State can focus and execute, this is a win. It’s as simple as that. However, I think the fans want to see improvement in almost every aspect of the game this week. A win is great, but if this one is close then we might have a deeper problem. But I don’t think this will be the case. I think NC State comes out with a little something to prove against a team that really doesn’t have the horses to keep up.

– More Slimey Shark? 
NC State fans got to see their first real glimpse of RB Demi Sumo. He essentially split carries with Jordan. Houston, but out-gained him 79 yds to 55. Houston is going to be a big part of this offense and honestly I think there are going to be games where he has the better matchup. However, against these smaller, weaker teams, Sumo might really start to shine.

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NC State Football

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

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9 hours ago

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April 24, 2024

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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.

 

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NC State Football

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

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4 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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4 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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6 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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