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GAMEDAY PRIMER: NC State vs ECU | Keys to the Game and How to Watch

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2 years ago

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#13 NC State Wolfpack @ ECU
Time: 12:00pm
Location: Greenville, NC
TV: ESPN
Line: NC State -12

#13 NC State heads to Greenville, NC to take on the ECU Pirates in their season-opener.

NC State fan’s are holding their breath, hoping that all the hype the Pack has been getting this offseason is for real. Meanwhile, ECU fans are approaching this one as a nothing-to-lose showdown. Will NC State’s talent, overmatch the Pirates, or will the pressure of being nationally ranked weigh heavy on the Pack?

Getting to know ECU
We broke down ECU, player by player, earlier this morning. But the gist of it is, this is a team coming off a 7-5 season, who believed they are on the rise.

They have a QB (Holton Ahlers) who has been under center for them for over 3 years, and one capable of having a big game. One thing to watch however, is who he’ll be throwing to, as 2 of his favorite targets from a year ago are gone.

And it’s not like ECU doesn’t have a running game. Sophomore Keaton Mitchell was All-AAC last year. This kid is a homerun hitter who can score any time he touches the football.

Defensively this is a team with some turnover, especially in the secondary. This might spell trouble for them since it’s likely Doeren opts to let Devin Leary air it out a bit more this season.

Keys to the game for NC State
Just stay solid on defense. Don’t over-pursue, don’t get caught jumping passes looking for the big play. NC State has a very talented defense, that if it just relies on their talent and playing fundamental football, will be too much for ECU. However, the Pirates have guys who can hurt you, especially Keaton Mitchell.

Offensively, the Pack is going to want to establish a rhythm early. Getting Leary comfortable right off the bat would be ideal. A few short passes to get the offense clicking wouldn’t hurt. It’s also going to be important for NC State to establish the run at some point early on. With a lot of question marks there, it’s likely ECU is going to be sitting back and trying not to let Leary beat them. Meanwhile, a big game from Jordan Houston would go along way in overwhelming the Pirate D.

How to Watch
This game is nationally televised on ESPN. That means, if you have cable or a streaming service that carries ESPN, you’re good. Shouldn’t be very complicated to watch this one. If you don’t have ESPN, then every sports bar in your town will have access to it. Looking for Radio affiliates or anything else related to watching the back, head over to our trusty guide to watching the Pack.

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NC State Football

Congrats to NC State Football’s Spring Graduates!

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8 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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15 hours 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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NC State Football

NC State Sits in the Top-20 in 247’s Post-Spring 2024 Preseason Poll

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2 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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