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NC State vs. Furman | Week 3 | Preview and How to Watch

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3 years ago

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NC State Wolfpack vs. Furman Paladins
Time: 7:30 PM
Location: Carter-Finley Stadium
TV: ESPN3
Line: NCSU -27

 

You wanna know how you get back on track (or completely end your season by week 4)? You play Furman. While no pushover, here is a look at the matchup for Saturday night.

 

Furman Preview

The Paladins come into the game 2-0, after wins agains NC A&T (29-18) and Tennessee Tech (26-0). If you’re looking for any kind of comparison, NC A&T hung with fellow D1 subdivision team, Duke, last week.

It’s always tough to analyze FCS teams, because while talented within the FCS, how does it translate into a Power 5 matchup? Here’s our thoughts on Furman…

Furman’s defense will hang with this State offense, unless Beck and company decide they do in fact want to try and score tonight. Through two games, they’ve only given up an average of 230 total yards. They’ve forced more turnovers (5) than touchdowns given up (2). They’re athletic upfront to control the run, and have enough speed to close gaps in the secondary.

Offensively, however, is where State can take advantage. Average running game, decent receivers, but they ultimately rely heavily on the big play abilities. Out of their five touchdowns, three come from plays over 40 yards. In just two short weeks, their kicker has eight attempts, hitting seven of them. They nickel and dime and, more often than not, settle for field goals.

 

Keys to Winning for the Wolfpack

  • Takeover the Field Position Game: If our defense steps up, showcasing their speed and size, there won’t be much time spent on our side of the field. They have to get pressure on Furman’s QB Sisson, and can’t settle for ZERO sacks again. Furthermore, it’s time to get that turnover bone out again and again and again. Force mistakes by making your reads. Let’s allow our depth on defense to shine.
  • Leary Finds His Groove: Damn those cowbells. Get this offense into a balanced attacked that we saw in the opener against USF. Allow Bam and Person to alleviate the pressure, while this WR crew spreads the field. No reason to be throwing up 50-50 balls. Definitely no reason to go through the left side of the line each play. Leary needs to read, react and get it rolling.
  • Don’t Make This a One Half Game: Look, we understand that Furman comes in with an overwhelming desire to beat the big boys. We understand that in many of these games, the home Power 5 team comes out flat, the FCS club sticks around and the second half is when this game is put away. Let’s not do that. The USF game was perfect in that the tone was set early and the pressure was unwavering. DO NOT let the Paladins remotely think that this game is their’s. The last thing DD needs is another press conference talking about how “we just can’t stop shooting ourselves in the foot.”

 

Prediction

First quarter is slow with State trying to do too much, all at once. The next three quarters go as expected with the offense keeping drives alive and the defense feasting on opportunities. Special callout prediction, Thayer Thomas get a NICE return today. Frankly, we can’t and shouldn’t make this a close game. And we sure as hell can’t be looking ahead to Clemson.

Wolfpack Wins, 37-13

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NC State Football

FAU Transfer Defensive Tackle Decarius Hawthorne is Taking an Official Visit to NC State Next Week

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6 hours ago

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May 4, 2024

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FAU Defensive Tackle Transfer Decarius Hawthorne (6’2″/295) confirmed with me that he is taking an Official Visit to NC State next week, beginning on Tuesday. Arkansas is expected to host him on Sunday.

Hawthorne entered the Portal on April 26th.

This past season, Hawthorne had 18 tackles, 7 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks in 12 games for the Owls. All of those numbers were career highs for Hawthorne.

ON3 ranks Hawthorne as a 3-Star prospect in the Transfer Portal, and the #46 Defensive Lineman in the Portal.

NC State is in desperate need for depth at Nose Tackle. They return Junior Brandon Cleveland and Redshirt Sophomore DJ Jackson, and True Freshman Justin Terrell will arrive in the Fall.

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NC State Football

Congrats to NC State Football’s Spring Graduates!

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23 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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1 day 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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