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Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Wake Forest

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5 years ago

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Wake Forest’s 2018 football season has been plagued by injuries. Prior to the season even beginning, 6 Demon Deacons were out for the year, and 6 more have suffered season ending injuries since it began.

The most recent is starting Freshman quarterback Sam Hartman, who broke a bone in his foot last Saturday against Syracuse. He will be replaced tonight with Sophomore Jamie Newman.

Newman was a 3-star prospect out of Graham High School (Graham, North Carolina), that also held offers from NC State, Duke, Boston College Wake Forest, and Vanderbilt. In limited action the past two seasons, Newman is 9 of 19 for 83 yards and 2 interceptions.

Sophomore slot receiver Greg Dortch is one of the most dangerous players in the ACC. He currently leads the conference in all-purpose yards per game (157.7), and ranks 5th nationally. He leads the ACC in receptions per game (7.7), and ranks 2nd in receiving yards per game (94.0).

The Demon Deacons have two running backs that have rushed for over 600 yards, and are averaging 5+ yards per carry. Senior Matt Colburn II has rushed for 670 yards (5.0 ypc) and 5 touchdowns. Junior Cade Carney has rushed for 601 yards (5.1 ypc) and 6 touchdowns. Wake Forest averages 224.4 yards per game, which ranks 24th nationally.

Wake Forest boasts the 2nd-fastest offense in the nation, running a play every 19.65 seconds. They also rank 14th nationally in 1st Downs.

On the whole, the Demon Deacons are averaging 453.4 yards per game, which ranks 30th nationally (NC State ranks 27th), but they will be without their starting quarterback tonight.

While Wake Forest is solid on the offensive side of the ball, they are abysmal on the defensive side, giving up an insane 493.6 yards per game, which ranks 122nd nationally (130 total schools). They are equally bad at stopping the run (221) and the pass (272.6), ranking 115th nationally in both.

The Demon Deacons have two players that rank in the Top-10 in tackles per game, with both Cameron Glenn and Justin Strnad tied for 8th in the ACC, averaging 8.1 tackles per game. When you give up close to 500 yards per game, there are plenty of opportunities for tackles. Strnad also has 6 tackles for loss, as does Carlos Basham Jr. Essang Bassey ranks second in the conference in passes defended (13).

 

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Matthew is Co-Owner of Pack Insider. He writes for all sports, with a focus on football and recruiting, and is in charge of business strategy. He is an NC State alum who majored in business. Matthew is also the lead pastor of The Point Church in Cary, NC.

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NC State Football

WATCH: QB CJ Bailey’s Tape from NC State’s 2024 Spring Game

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3 hours ago

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April 27, 2024

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True Freshman CJ Bailey proved why he might be the NC State’s future at Quarterback in the 2024 Spring Game a few weeks back. Bailey was 8 of 12 for 170 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The first touchdown was a 30-yard pass to Junior Wesley Grimes, and the 2nd one was a 28-yarder to fellow Freshman Terrell Anderson.

He also rushed the ball 5 times for 72 yards, which was the 2nd most rushing yards by any player.

Check out Bailey’s tape from NC State’s 2024 Spring Game.

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NC State Football

Payton Wilson is the 7th Highest Drafted Linebacker in NC State History

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5 hours ago

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April 27, 2024

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Last night NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson was drafted in the 3rd round by the Pittsburgh Steelers, with the 98th overall pick.

Wilson is the 16th Wolfpack Linebacker to be selected in the NFL Draft, and the 7th highest drafted.

Levar Fisher – 2nd round – 49th overall (2002)
Nate Irving – 3rd round – 67th overall (2011)
Germaine Pratt – 3rd round – 72nd overall (2019)
Bobby Houston – 3rd round – 75th overall (1990)
Robert Abraham – 3rd round – 77th overall (1982)
Damien Covington – 3rd round – 96th overall (1995)
Payton Wilson – 3rd round – 98th overall (2024)
Stephen Tulloch – 4th round – 116th overall (2006)
Frank Bush – 5th round – 133rd overall (1985)
Terrell Manning – 5th round – 163rd overall (2012)
David Merritt – 7th round – 191st overall (1993)
Pat Thomas – 6th round – 194th overall (2005)
Audie Cole – 7th round – 210th overall (2012)
Bill Gentry – 12th round – 293rd overall (1967)
Scott Adell – 12th round – 330th overall (1992)
Henry Hipps – 16th round – 411th (1969)

Honestly, in looking at the list above, the best NFL Linebacker of the bunch wasn’t in the Top-5 highest drafted. The man right behind Wilson, Stephen Tulloch, easily had the best career of any Wolfpack Linebacker to be drafted, and he was taken in the 4th round.

It’s not where you start, but where you finish.

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NC State Football

The Pittsburgh Steelers Select NC State’s Payton Wilson with the 98th Pick in the 2024 NFL Draft

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15 hours ago

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April 26, 2024

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The Pittsburgh Steelers have selected NC State Linebacker Payton Wilson in the 3rd Round of the 2024 NFL Draft, with the 98th overall pick.

How on earth Wilson was the 98th player drafted is beyond me. Winner of the ACC Defensive Player of the Year. Winner of the Butkus Award, given to the best Linebacker in College Football. Winner of the Bednarik Award, given to the best Defensive player in College football. Unanimous All-American. 3rd best PFF Grade by a Linebacker in 2023. Fastest 40-time by a LB at the NFL Combine.

Yet, he was the 7th Linebacker taken in the 2024 NFL Draft. Absurd.

With that being said, I can’t think of a more fitting place for Wilson to play. He was born to play in the Black and Gold. The Steelers are a blue collar club, who carry a long history of defensive greatness. Wilson plays with reckless abandon, and with his hair on fire, and that’s exactly what you expect out of a Pittsburgh Linebacker.

Maybe I’m showing my cards here…I’m a Pittsburgh Steelers fan…and I can’t believe Payton Wilson will be wearing the Black and Gold this Fall.

Congrats Payton!

 

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NC State Football

Details of Dave Doeren’s New Contract at NC State

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1 day ago

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April 26, 2024

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NC State has signed Dave Doeren to a 2-year extension, but the extension comes with a raise. Doeren’s base salary in 2023 was $5.02 million.

According to Brian Murphy of WRALSports Fan, Doeren’s salary in 2024 will be $5.5 million, and it will increase by $125,000 each year of the contract. He can earn $1.325 million in academic and athletic performance bonuses on an annual basis.

Below is a breakdown of the bonus structure.

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The bonus structure is the same as it was in his previous contract (see above), but the section entitled “Playoff” has been updated as follows:

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