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NC State Football

Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Marshall

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7 years ago

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Last week NC State saw Deebo Samuel return the opening kickoff of the 2017 season for a 97-yard touchdown. NC State’s opponent tonight was equally opportunistic in their 31-26 victory over Miami (OH) in their season opener.

Junior Keion Davis returned the opening kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown, and then he returned another one 97 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Then Sophomore Chris Jackson returned an interception 72 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

Needless to say, hopefully NC State learned their lessons last week, and won’t give their opponent points off of special teams and turnovers.

If they are able to that, this game shouldn’t be a close one. Marshall is coming off of a 3-9 campaign. This Thundering Herd team has 4 lone Senior starters.

Marshall’s offensive line shouldn’t be able to matchup with NC State’s talented defensive line. The Herd was tied for 85th in the FBS with 2.33 sacks allowed per game, ranked 100th with 6.67 tackles for loss allowed per contest and 122nd at 108.2 rushing yards per game (Source). Given, their O-Line is healthier now than they were at any point in 2016, but they are starting a Redshirt Freshman and a true Sophomore. Last week, Marshall averaged a measley 2.46 yards per carry.

A bright spot in Marshall’s offense last week was the play of their Junior Quarterback Chase Litton, who completed 20 of his 30 passes for 208 yards, accompanied by one touchdown and one interception. Litton has 5,435 career passing yards, with 48 touchdowns compared to 18 interceptions. Litton had an instant connection with Freshman Wide Receiver Willie Johnson that even surprised the Marshall beat writers, connecting with him on 7 receptions for 88 yards.

While Marshall’s special teams play was excellent, and Litton was productive in the passing game, the Herd’s defense was not impressive in the opener. Marshall’s defense surrendered 426 yards to Miami (OH), with 298 coming through the air. The Redhawks were two yards short of having two 100-yard receivers against the Herd. Marshall’s two Defensive End’s average weight is 236, and I don’t see them getting much pressure on NC State Quarterback Ryan Finley. If the Herd doesn’t get to Finley, I expect him to take advantage of a young secondary that boasts 2 Freshmen and 1 Sophomore.

 

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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.

NC State Football

Congrats to NC State Football’s Spring Graduates!

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2 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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NC State Football

NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll

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4 days ago

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May 1, 2024

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247’s Brad Crawford released his Post-Spring 2024 Preseason College Football Top-25 recently, and NC State moved up 1 spot to #20.

ACC Teams in the Top-25

11. FSU

14. Miami

16. Clemson

20. NC State

24. Virginia Tech

25. Louisville

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