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NC State Versus LA Tech | Week 5 | Preview and How to Watch

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3 years ago

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NC State Wolfpack vs. LA Tech Bulldogs
Time: 6:00 PM
Location: Carter-Finley Stadium
TV: ESPN+
Line: State -18.5

 

LA Tech Preview

The Bulldogs enter Carter-Finley Saturday afternoon, knowing they should be undefeated. Instead they arrive 2-2 with injury concerns.

LA Tech beat SE Louisiana and North Texas, but lost by a combined 3 points to Miss State (35-34) and SMU (39-37). In both losses, Bulldogs lead in the fourth before Miss State scored 21 unanswered in the last 12 minutes and SMU a TD as time expired. This is all to say, LA Tech cannot be looked over.

There were concerns that quarterback Austin Kendall wouldn’t be available for the game, but it looks like he’ll suit up. In three games, he’s thrown for 837 yards (plus another 100 on the ground) with 7 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. Running back Marcus Williams Jr. and the Harris’ receivers (Tre and Smoke – no relation, but what a damn name duo), are quality players that can burn State defense if given the chance. As a team, they’ll take their fair share of deep shots.

The defense for the Bulldogs, is where they have trouble. Out of 130 DI teams, LA Tech is 125th in yards given up (1944) at AN AVERAGE OF SIX YARDS PER PLAY. That’s worse than UCONN, Vanderbilt and UNLV, to name a few. They’ll find ways to get sacks, but they lack the ability to get off the field.

 

Keys to Winning for the Wolfpack

  • Feast Offense, Feast – We constantly talk about State playing meat and potatoes offense, that 10000% needs to be the case this week. There is no reason why Leary should be forcing a single pass. Bam and Person should have quality workloads. This offensive line needs to set the tone and be blocking next level every, single, rush. This can be a game, similar to USF, where everybody is included and there is a consistent offensive rhythm. No dumb penalties or turnovers, PLEASE.
  • No Letdowns – This is something that’s been brought up before, and it’s valid to some extent. There has been hundreds of times where coming out of a solid upset, a team falls flat. Good news, albeit small sample size :(, Doeren’s State teams are 4-0 after beating ranked teams. We’ve been more than happy with how State has looked, prep-wise, heading into home games. Full belief that this week will be no different, with offense clicking and defense coming out ready to destroy.
  • Defensive Depth Shows Up Again – Seems like every week we lose another player, but the train needs to keep rolling. Hoping Durden shows last week wasn’t a fluke and is in the LA Tech backfield a steady amount. The linebacker core has an opportunity for serious additions to the highlight reels, cleaning up the run game, while being active in coverage. Secondary needs to stay fast and keep up with a Bulldogs’ receiving group that likes to stretch the field and attempt deep shots. The stat sheet should be full tonight, hopefully with multiple turnovers, sacks and minimal yards by LA Tech.

Predictions

Would expect numbers to be similar to USF for the offense; solid day for Leary and the rushing game is literally running wild. Defense will be tested at points, they’ll give up double digits but will be able to take advantage in multiple areas. Have to think State, especially with how they’ve played at home, will cover the 18.5 spread.

State wins 38-16

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Papajohn
Papajohn
2 years ago

GO PACK!!!!

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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

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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

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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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