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NC State Football

NC State Get’s Lucky in Season Opening 21-20 Victory Over East Carolina

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2 years ago

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Well…for once…NC State got lucky.

With 8 seconds left in the game, East Carolina missed a 41-yard field goal to beat NC State.

Let it be known that ECU’s Place Kicker, Sophomore Owen Daffer, earned 1st Team All-AAC honors in 2021.

Oh…did I mention that he missed an extra point with 2:58 seconds left in the 4th Quarter.

This game should have either gone into overtime…or the Pirates should have won the game…but that’s why you play the game…right?

With a bit of luck NC State beat ECU for only the second time ever in Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium (2-4), bringing the overall series to 19-13.

NC State led 21-7 at the half.

Mind you…7 of those NC State points came from a blocked punt by Redshirt Junior Jasiah Provillon that was recovered by Redshirt Freshman Sean Brown…which is awesome…but let’s not act like the Wolfpack offense created a 14-point lead at the half.

Before I move on from the first half, I should point out that Graduate Wide Receiver Thayer Thomas caught his 21st career touchdown in the 1st half, tying Jerricho Cothcery for 2nd all-time in NC State history. Thomas finished the day with 4 receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown.

The other Wolfpack touchdown in the 1st half is credited to Redshirt Freshman Demi Sumo-Karngbaye, who scurried into the endzone for a 24-yard touchdown. Sumo proved to be one of the few bright spots in the Wolfpack victory, rushing for 79 yards on 14 attempts (5.6 yards per carry). His counterpart, Junior Running Back Jordan Houston ran the ball 15 times for 59 yards (3.7 yards per carry).

The Wolfpack managed to put 0 points on the board in the 2nd half.

Today was not Redshirt Junior Quarterback Devin Leary’s day. He was 17 of 33 for 211 yards, with a touchdown and an interception. Leary’s Passing Efficiency Rating was a measly 109.2.

Did NC State for once get lucky? I’ll say the odds weren’t in their favor.

ECU had more total yards (364/344) and won the time of possession battle (32:09/27:51).

On another note, Redshirt Junior Linebacker Payton Wilson went down with a shoulder injury, and was seen on the sideline in street clothes. I feel terrible for the kid, but he was seen giving a thumbs up on the sideline. His replacement, Junior Jaylon Scott stepped up in a big way, leading the Wolfpack with 8 tackles. Here’s to hoping that Payton’s alright.

Also, Redshirt Junior Tight End Trent Pennix left the game with a wrist injury, but he was upbeat on Twitter after the game.

Maybe former Wide Receiver Emeka Emezie said it best…for the first time watching the game, rather than playing in it.

Alright…let me shoot straight…I wouldn’t have bet money that NC State would have covered the 11.5 spread. I thought this was going to be a close one. Did I think the Wolfpack would make it this close…no. Did I think NC State was going to get lucky…no.

But at the end of the day…the 13th ranked Wolfpack went into hostile territory and walked out with a W…and I guess you can say…that’s all that matters.

 

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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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Howler
Howler
1 year ago

We did score on a QB sneak. Refs just took it away. Unwillingness to try it again puzzling at best.

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Papajohn
Papajohn
1 year ago

That 2nd half was rough!!

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NC State Football

Does the Addition of the UVA Series Equal the Elimination of NC State’s Series with App St.?

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2 days ago

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May 17, 2024

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Earlier this week it was announced that NC State and Virginia would play one another in a home-and-home series, with the Wolfpack hosting in 2025, and the Cavaliers hosting in 2026.

Prior to the announcement, NC State already had their non-conference slate booked for both of those seasons.

As a result of the addition of the Virginia series, a previously scheduled non-conference game from each season would need to be dropped. While it hasn’t been officially announced by the school, Joe Giglio and David Glenn seem to think that the series with Appalachian State is going to be dropped.

It would make the most sense, considering the Mountaineers were the only opponent the Wolfpack was scheduled to play in both 2025 and 2026. It would also make sense, considering the fact that ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips isn’t a fan of ACC teams playing Group of 5 schools on the road.

I will tell you this much. The Mountaineer faithful certainly believe NC State is dropping the series with App State, and it just takes a little scrolling on X (formerly Twitter) to get a read on their feelings on the situation.

This situation brings to mind the bill that has been proposed in the North Carolina House of Representatives that would force NC State and UNC to play App St., ECU and UNC Charlotte in Football, Men’s Basketball and Women’s Basketball.

If the addition of UVA means the elimination of App St. on NC State’s schedule, what are your thoughts? Share in the comments.

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NC State Football

CBS Sports Ranks Dave Doeren as 1 of the Top-20 Coaches in College Football

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2 days ago

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May 16, 2024

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CBS Sports released their Top-25 Power 4 Coaches in College Football, and NC State’s Dave Doeren came in at #16. Heading into last season, he went into the season ranked #25.

16) Dave Doeren: The NC State coach finally gets some overdue credit. He’s always hovered around the bottom of our top 25 or just outside it, and now he finds himself firmly entrenched in it thanks to all the changes at the top. Coaches who take mid-tier programs and overachieve never get enough credit, in my estimation, and the consistency Doeren has established at NC State — where he spent most of his time in a division with Clemson and Florida State — is one of the most impressive things any coach in the country has done. I’m glad to see Doeren getting closer to the top 15. 2023 rank: 25 (+9) (CBS Sports)

Numerous CBS Sports’ analysts voted in the poll, and Tom Fornelli actually ranked Doeren #8.

ACC Coaches that made the Top-25

3. Dabo Swinney (Clemson)

8. Mike Norvell (FSU)

16. Dave Doeren (NC State)

19. Jeff Brohm (Louisville)

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NC State Football

NC State vs. Tennessee Kickoff Time & TV Network Revealed

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3 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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Kickoff time and TV Channel details have been revealed for NC State and Tennessee’s game in the Duke Mayo Classic in Week 2 of next season.

The game will be a primetime game on Saturday 7th, at 7:30pm on ABC.

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This game has the makings to be a Top-25 matchup.

Here’s a look at some of the Way-Too-Early Preseason rankings for the Wolfpack and the Volunteers:

Action Network: NC State #24/Tennessee #17

ON3: NC State #22/Tennessee #15

247: NC State #21/Tennessee #11

ESPN: NC State #17/Tennessee #15

DraftKings released their way-too-early odds for the game, and Tennessee is currently a 5.5-point favorite.

Here’s the deal, as NC State fans, if we want to be a big time Football program, NC State fans need to gobble up tickets to this game. Let’s do our part and make sure that Bank of America Stadium is painted RED. Buy Tickets HERE.

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NC State Football

NC State and UVA Agree to Home-and-Home Non-Conference Games

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4 days ago

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May 15, 2024

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NC State announced this morning that the Wolfpack and UVA will play in a home-and-home non-conference series, with the game in 2025 being in Raleigh, and the game in 2026 being in Charlottesville.

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To reiterate, despite the fact that both teams are in the ACC, these games are considered non-conference games, and won’t count toward conference records. This is similar to what UNC and Wake Forest did a few years back.

Here’s what’s interesting about the addition of these games in 2025 and 2026. Prior to the announcement, NC State already had 4 non-conference games scheduled for both years.

It would be my assumption that one of the previously scheduled non-conference games for each season will not take place now.

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