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NCAA: NC State 1 of 8 Under-the-Radar Teams to Watch as March Approaches

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6 years ago

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NCAA.com ran an article today in 8 Under-the-Radar Schools to watch as March approaches, and NC State was one of them. Here’s what they had to say about the Pack.

First, No. 2 Arizona. Then, No. 2 Duke. Last week, No. 10 North Carolina, right there in Chapel Hill. Might as well have been in Roy Williams’ driveway. That makes three top-10 wins this season for the Wolfpack. Also on the resume are back-to-back ACC victories on the road for the first time in 31 years, and a 3-0 record against fellow Tobacco Road colleagues North Carolina, Duke and Wake Forest for the first time since 1975.

So Kevin Keatts’ honeymoon as the new coach who landed from UNCW is going quite nicely, thank you.

Well, most of the time.

NC State is 15-7, including taking some real poundings on the road. There was the 30-point loss at Notre Dame, 17 at Virginia, 16 at Clemson. And there are also unsightly defeats by Northern Iowa and UNC Greensboro.

But still — Arizona, Duke, North Carolina, Clemson in a rematch. Pretty good victims list. Last year, the Wolfpack went to Chapel Hill and lost by 51.

“I tell everybody we have some great wins, but I kind of look at our total year,” Keatts said over the phone this week. “I think you learn so much from your losses. I’ve been excited that even in our losses, we have competed the entire time, even when we didn’t do things right or things weren’t going our way. That’s the biggest plus for me.”

He’s used seven different starting lineups to get things moving, and preached pressure defense from the start. NC State has forced 20-plus turnovers in four games. The Wolfpack had only two of those the past seven seasons combined. The turnover margin is plus-74. Last year, it was minus-67.

So Keatts has finished half his first ACC tour at 5-4. “A complete grind,” he called it, though he said it’s been fun watching the fire all those big wins have lit under the fan base. But he has quickly come to understand how much it takes to survive in a league that demands so much.

“The way you do it is try to build a culture. There is no easy game. As a matter of fact, for a long time NC State has been one of the teams that was the easy game.”

Not anymore, if you’re ranked in the top 10.

(NCAA)

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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

Ohio St. Transfer Safety Ja’Had Carter is Officially Visiting NC State Today

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4 hours ago

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May 7, 2024

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Ohio State Transfer Safety Ja’Had Carter (6’1″/205) is taking an Official Visit to NC State beginning today according to a source.

Carter played in 8 games as a reserve (6 at Safety/2 on strictly Special Teams) for the Buckeyes this past season, recording 5 tackles.

Prior to joining Ohio St., Carter played his first 3 seasons at Syracuse. In 2022, he was All-ACC Honorable Mention, tallying 36 tackles, 3 interceptions and 3 pass breakups. In 2020, as a True Freshman, Carter earned Freshman All-American status. Over three seasons with the Orange, Carter started in 28 of the 31 games he has played in.

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NC State Football

Colorado DT Transfer Chazz Wallace is Taking an Official Visit to NC State Tomorrow

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1 day ago

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May 6, 2024

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NC State has offered Colorado Defensive Tackle Transfer Chazz Wallace (6’2″/295), and he confirmed with me that he will be taking an Official Visit to Raleigh tomorrow.

Wallace played in 10 games for Coach Prime this past season, starting in 4. He finished with 11 tackles and 1.5 sacks. His PFF Grade was 56.4.

Prior to Colorado, Wallace spent his first three years at Old Dominion.

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NC State Football

NC State Offers FCS DT Brandon Lane

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1 day 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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4 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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