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NC State Football

Previewing NC State’s Opponent: Ball State

Published

5 years ago

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NC State will host Ball State tonight at 7pm under the lights tonight, marking the first time the Wolfpack and Cardinals have ever played each other in football.

It might be the first time that NC State has played Ball State, but it’s not the 1st time that Dave Doeren has played the Cardinals. While at Northern Illinois, Doeren was 2-0 against Ball State.

Experienced Unit

Ball State is one of the most experienced teams in the nation, returning 17 starters from 2018 (8 offense & 9 defense), which is tied for the 2nd most nationally.

Against the ACC

Back in 2013, Ball State beat Virginia 48-27, marking the only time they have beat an ACC opponent. The Cardinals are 1-7 all-time against the Atlantic Coast Conference.

Cardinals’ Flying High

The Cardinals’ air attack has been prolific through three games with Redshirt Junior Drew Plitt chucking the ball. Pitt has already thrown for over 1,000 yards through the first three games (1,040). Plitt has completed 70.6% of his passes and thrown 11 touchdowns (3 interceptions). He enters the game ranked 5th nationally in passing yards per game (346.7).

Plitt has a buffet of options to throw to. Redshirt Senior Riley Miller is the team leader in receiving yards (236), accompanied by 14 receptions and 2 touchdowns. Miller earned 2nd Team All-MAC last season. Redshirt Senior Antwan Davis leads the team with 3 touchdown receptions, and also has over 200+ yards receiving along with Miller (222). For perspective, Emeka Emezie leads NC State with 205 receiving yards, and Tabari Hines is next with 129 yards.

Junior Justin Hall leads Ball State with 16 receptions (162 yards), and earned All-MAC Third Team honors last year.

The Cardinals have 4 touchdown passes of 35+ yards in 2019. Last year they only had two such touchdowns all year.

They Will Steal the Ball from You

NC State’s offense has yet to turn the ball over in 2019. In comparison, Ball State’s defense has created 2 turnovers in each of their first three games, ranking 20th nationally. Their 4 interceptions are tied for 9th nationally. The Cardinals will look to be the first team to intercept Wolfpack Quarterback Matt McKay.

Defensive Leaders

Senior Inside Linebacker Jacob White leads the team in tackles in 2019 (29), and is the active career leader on the roster. White had a gaudy 17 tackles last week against Florida Atlantic.

Redshirt Junior James Jennette leads the team with 4 tackles for loss and 2 sacks. He is a first year starter, but led the team with 6 tackles for loss off the bench last year.

Comparing the 2 Teams

 

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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

NC State Offers FCS DT Brandon Lane

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15 mins 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!

Published

3 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.

Published

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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