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NC State Football

Keys to an NC State Victory over Notre Dame

Published

7 years ago

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NC State is playing Notre Dame in South Bend this afternoon, in one of the biggest matchups in the history of the program. It won’t be easy to walk out of Notre Dame Stadium victorious, but if they do, I think these will be the keys to their victory.

Get out to an EARLY lead

NC State is the most explosive offense that Notre Dame has faced thus far in 2017, ranking 24th in the nation in Total Offense. The Fighting Irish’s offense is fairly one dimensional, though it is a very scary dimension. Notre Dame’s rushing attack ranks 6th in the nation, averaging 317 yards per game, but their passing attack has been less than impressive. First-year starting quarterback Brandon Wimbush has only thrown for 903 yards so far, and has only completed 51.3% of his passes.

If the Wolfpack can get out to a lead and make Notre Dame chase points, and depend upon Wimbush’s arm, the Wolfpack definetly have the edge.

Take CARE of the Football

NC State has been phenomenal under Dave Doeren when it comes to taking care of the football. The Wolfpack has committed less turnovers than any team in the nation, handing the ball to the other team only 3 times. With that being said, the Irish are 9th in the nation at creating turnovers, taking the ball away from their opponent 17 times through 7 games! If Finley can keep his streak of pass attempts without an interception going, and his teammates can hold onto the football, they will put themselves in a good position to win. Handing the ball over to Notre Dame in South Bend is a recipe for disaster.

D-Lineman Not Named Chubb Need to Rise Up

Notre Dame has two future NFL Linemen in LT Mike McGlinchey and LG Quenton Nelson that will be focused on eliminating Chubb. Last week Pitt did a lot of double-teaming and low blocks to deal with Chubb. If Kentavius Street, B.J. Hill, Justin Jones, and Darian Roseboro can splatter the box score with sacks and tackles for loss, Notre Dame will be in trouble. The Irish don’t have nearly as much talent and experience on the other side.

Stop the Run

The NC State run defense is ranked 6th in the nation and Notre Dame’s rush offense is 6th a season well. The Wolfpack defense hasn’t allowed a 100-yard rusher all season, but they will be put to the test today. Irish RB Josh Adams is averaging 129 Yards per game and 9 Yards per carry, and QB Brandon Wimbush is probably more effective with his legs than arm. He has 498 Yards rushing and 9 rushing TD’s.

Adams might be in the Heisman conversation, but he isn’t unstoppable. When he faced another top-10 rush defense in Georgia, he was held to 2.8 Yards per carry.

If NC State can keep Adams under 100 Yards, that would be a recipe for a win.

Stars need to SHINE

Notre Dame hasn’t played an offense like NC State’s. If the Wolfpack can produce long drives in South Bend, they will stifle the home field advantage, and keep Adams off the field. If Samuels, Hines and Harmon are playing at their best, Notre Dame will be tested. The Irish have only given up 20 points once this year, and they lost to Georgia. If the Wolfpack stars shine bright, and post 20+ points, they will have the edge.

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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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10 hours 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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17 hours 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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2 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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2 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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