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Keys to an NC State Victory over #3 Clemson

Published

6 years ago

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#15 NC State’s matchup versus #3 Clemson is the biggest game for the Wolfpack in recent memory. Here are my keys to a Wolfpack victory.

Get to Trevor Lawrence early and often

Head Coach Dave Doeren made the point earlier in the week on his radio show that a key to the game will be rattling Freshman Clemson Quarterback

“What do you do? You hit him. You try to get him out of rhythm, you try to make him see things he hasn’t seen and you have to make plays,” Doeren said. “Rattle him a little bit. He hasn’t been rattled…You can just get him to question what he’s looking at a little bit, give the D-line a little bit more time to get there and the blitzes a little more time to get there and get him on his back more than he wants to be on his back. All of those things add up back. But that’s easier said than done.” (Link)

Somehow Doeren took criticism this week for his comments, as if there is something wrong with emphasizing sacking the quarterback. ClemsonInsider, wrote this critique of Doeren’s words that we’re as soft as Charmin Extra Strength.

Lawrence is extremely talented, but NC State will want to make him win the game for the Tigers. He leads the ACC in passing efficiency rating, but he is a frosh, and the Wolfpack’s chances of winning will be better if Lawrence’s Jersey is stained with brown and green at the end of the day.

Stop the Chunk Plays

Clemson ranks 5th in yards per play, but their ability to hit the home run play are what set them apart. The Tigers have 12 plays thus far in 2018 that have gone for 50+ yards, which is tops in the NCAA. Clemson is going to make plays, but the Safeties and the Nickelbacks will have to have perfect pursuit angles and not give up the big plays.

Play Smart

The past two times that NC State has played Clemson, they have shot themselves in the foot through a lack of self-discipline. Last year the Wolfpack had 6 penalties, compared to the Tigers 3. In 2016, NC State committed an audacious 13 penalties, compared to Clemson’s 5.

The Wolfpack needs to play a clean game, even though emotions will be high.

Make Field Goals

Freshman Place Kicker Chris Dunn might be the most valuable player in today’s game. Over the past two years, NC State has only made 2 of their 7 field goal attempts against Clemson. Dunn has made 8 of his 11 field goal attempts through the first 5 games.

Battle of the Trenches

The Tigers boast a future NFL defensive line, but NC State’s offensive line is simply one of the best in the nation as well. If NC State can find a way to get Thunder (Reggie Gallaspy) and Lightning (Ricky Person) to be productive day, Ryan Finley will have a strong advantage throwing against man-to-man coverage to the Wolfpack’s elite receivers.

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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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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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2 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

Published

3 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

Published

3 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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