Thursday Football Notebook
10/27/2016 8:59:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | ACC Network Affiliates | Game Notes
Game 8: NC State (4-3, 1-2 ACC) vs. Boston College (3-4, 0-4 ACC)
October 29, 2016 • 12:30 p.m. • ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
WOLFPACK PLAYS DEFENSIVE TRIFECTA
The Boston College game will mark the third straight that NC State has played against a team ranked in the top 11 nationally in total defense.
The Eagles currently rank 7th in the FBS in total defense, allowing just 292.9 yards per game. Louisville entered its game with the Pack ranked 11th in that category, allowing 309.8 ypg. Two weeks ago, Clemson was ranked 9th in total defense, giving up 282.2 ypg before the Wolfpack visited.
The Wolfpack gained 100+ yards more than Clemson's average and passed for more than Clemson and Louisville's averaged allowed heading into those games.
Here's a look at where the Pack's last three opponents (including BC) have ranked and the yards allowed entering the game vs. NC State and the yards gained by the Wolfpack:
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WINNING AT HOME
One of the Wolfpack's goals prior to every season is to win all of its home games. Accomplishing that goal in the year that Carter-FInley Stadium is celebrating its 50th anniversary would be even sweeter. Â
NC State enters Game 8 with a 4-0 record on its home field so far in 2016.
NC State has outscored the opposition 140-55 at home this season, but has been outscored 111-60 on the road. Obviously, having faced two top 10 teams on their home field has to do with those numbers, but the Wolfpack has also outgained it's home opponents 430 yards to 238.5 this season.
STARTING LINE(UPS)
In the first six games of 2016, the Wolfpack started the same five players on the offensive line and the same four players on the defensive line in every game. That was the most consistent the Wolfpack had been in terms of starting LINEups under Dave Doeren. Â
Last season and in Doeren's first year in 2013, NC State used three different OLine combos in the first six games, while in 2014 the Pack used a pair. The d-line had two different lineups in its first six games of 2015, five in its first six of 2014 and four in 2013.
The Louisville contest marked the first time this season that the lineups had been shaken up. On offense, starting right tackle Will Richardson missed the game after suffering from migraine headaches all week and Terronne Prescod started in his place - his first career start. On defense, Darian Roseboro got the nod in place of Kentavius Street at end - marking his first career start as well.
KNOCK ON WOOD
NC State has been virtually injury free in 2016, with only two starters missing a total of two games due to injury in the first seven games. RT Will Richardson missed the Louisville contest after being ill, while wide receiver Nyheim Hines missed the Old Dominion game with an injury earlier this year.
RECOVERY TEAM
NC State leads the ACC and ranks 8th in the FBS in recovered fumbles this season with eight. The Wolfpack has forced 11 fumbles in 2016.
DT B.J. Hill and S Shawn Boone have each recovered a pair of fumbles to tie for third in the ACC and 9th in the FBS in that category. NIC Dravious Wright has forced three fumbles this season - tied as the fourth-best mark in the league and the 10th-best mark nationally.
HOME, SWEET HOME
NC State will be very glad to be back in the friendly confines of Carter-Finley Stadium this week, after facing the nation's toughest road stretch of 2016 and the toughest in school history.
For the first time in school history, NC State faced top 10 teams on the road in back-to-back games. It marked only the fifth time that NC State had played back-to-back games against top 10 teams.
PACK BOASTS NATIONAL DISTINCTION
NC State is the only team in the FBS this season that has had the privilege of facing top 10 teams on the road in back to back games.
The Wolfpack is one of six FBS squads that has had back-to-back top 10 opponents this season, but the only one that has faced both on the road.
RUSHING INTO THE RECORD BOOK
Although he doesn't receive as much national attention as some of his league counterparts, senior running back Matt Dayes is quietly having one of the best seasons in school history. Dayes enters Game 8 ranked 33rd in the FBS in rushing with 97.4 yards per game - the third-best mark in the ACC.  His average went down dramatically after he missed 3/4 of the Louisville game after getting banged up.
An impressive 50% (344 of 682) of his rushing yards have come from yards after contact in 2016.
Dayes hadn't played a game in 306 days before this year's season opener due to a season-ending foot injury suffered last season against Clemson (10/31/15). He has now posted 100-yard rushing games in 10 of his last 14-1/2 outings (he was injured in the first half of game 8 last season).
CAREER RECORDS
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS
STOPPING THE RUN
NC State has been outstanding stopping the run in 2016, allowing just 105 ground yards per game. That mark ranks fourth in the ACC (the Pack had lead the league prior to allowing 163 yards at Louisville) and ranks 12th in the FBS. Â
The 163 rushing yards by Louisville was the most against the Wolfpack all season. However, that mark was 142.7 yards less that what the Cardinals were averaging on the ground heading into the contest (305.7 rushing ypg).
Three Wolfpack opponents (William & Mary, Wake Forest and Notre Dame) posted rushing totals less than 70 yards. The Wolfpack held No. 3 Clemson to 117 yards - 61 yards less than the Tigers' average heading into the contest.
FAB FIVE
One of the biggest question marks for the Wolfpack heading into the 2016 season was the offensive line. That group had to rebuild aftr three three-year starters from 2015 completed their eligibility: All-American tackle Joe Thuney (who is starting for the New England Patriots), guard Alex Barr and center Quinton Schooley.
First-year o-line coach Dwayne Ledford, also was without returning starters Tony Adams (injury) and Will Richardson (suspsension) during the spring and had only four linemen healthy during spring drills.
But that unit, named the "Band of Brothers" by Ledford, has solidified into something special and for the first time under head coach Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack has had the same starting five on the offensive line in each of the first six games to start a season.
LT Tyler Jones (490), LG Garrett Bradbury (495), and C Joe Scelfo (491) have played virtually every snap for the Wolfpack this season (the Pack has run 497 offensive plays, but that doesn't include penalties, which are included in the players' snap totals).
 RG Tony Adams has been in for 472 snaps (he missed a few at Clemson and at Louisville with an injury), and RT WIll Richardson (427) played almost every snap of the first six games before missing the Louisville contest.
Those five have combined to play 2,375 of a possible 2,485 snaps (95.6%) on the Pack's offensive line this season.
The Band of Brothers has yielded just 10 sacks in 2016. NC State ranks 24th in the FBS in sacks given up this season.
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Game 8: NC State (4-3, 1-2 ACC) vs. Boston College (3-4, 0-4 ACC)
October 29, 2016 • 12:30 p.m. • ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
WOLFPACK PLAYS DEFENSIVE TRIFECTA
The Boston College game will mark the third straight that NC State has played against a team ranked in the top 11 nationally in total defense.
The Eagles currently rank 7th in the FBS in total defense, allowing just 292.9 yards per game. Louisville entered its game with the Pack ranked 11th in that category, allowing 309.8 ypg. Two weeks ago, Clemson was ranked 9th in total defense, giving up 282.2 ypg before the Wolfpack visited.
The Wolfpack gained 100+ yards more than Clemson's average and passed for more than Clemson and Louisville's averaged allowed heading into those games.
Here's a look at where the Pack's last three opponents (including BC) have ranked and the yards allowed entering the game vs. NC State and the yards gained by the Wolfpack:
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| Category | Opponent | FBS Rk. | Previous Yds. Allowed | NCSU Yds. Gaines |
| Total Defense | Clemson | 9th | 282.2 | 397 |
| Louisville | 11th | 309.8 | 250 | |
| Boston College | 7th | 292.9 | ??? | |
| Pass Defense | Clemson | 6th | 149.0 | 269 |
| Louisville | 17th | 176.7 | 236 | |
| Boston College | 22nd | 190.3 | ??? |
WINNING AT HOME
One of the Wolfpack's goals prior to every season is to win all of its home games. Accomplishing that goal in the year that Carter-FInley Stadium is celebrating its 50th anniversary would be even sweeter. Â
NC State enters Game 8 with a 4-0 record on its home field so far in 2016.
NC State has outscored the opposition 140-55 at home this season, but has been outscored 111-60 on the road. Obviously, having faced two top 10 teams on their home field has to do with those numbers, but the Wolfpack has also outgained it's home opponents 430 yards to 238.5 this season.
STARTING LINE(UPS)
In the first six games of 2016, the Wolfpack started the same five players on the offensive line and the same four players on the defensive line in every game. That was the most consistent the Wolfpack had been in terms of starting LINEups under Dave Doeren. Â
Last season and in Doeren's first year in 2013, NC State used three different OLine combos in the first six games, while in 2014 the Pack used a pair. The d-line had two different lineups in its first six games of 2015, five in its first six of 2014 and four in 2013.
The Louisville contest marked the first time this season that the lineups had been shaken up. On offense, starting right tackle Will Richardson missed the game after suffering from migraine headaches all week and Terronne Prescod started in his place - his first career start. On defense, Darian Roseboro got the nod in place of Kentavius Street at end - marking his first career start as well.
KNOCK ON WOOD
NC State has been virtually injury free in 2016, with only two starters missing a total of two games due to injury in the first seven games. RT Will Richardson missed the Louisville contest after being ill, while wide receiver Nyheim Hines missed the Old Dominion game with an injury earlier this year.
RECOVERY TEAM
NC State leads the ACC and ranks 8th in the FBS in recovered fumbles this season with eight. The Wolfpack has forced 11 fumbles in 2016.
DT B.J. Hill and S Shawn Boone have each recovered a pair of fumbles to tie for third in the ACC and 9th in the FBS in that category. NIC Dravious Wright has forced three fumbles this season - tied as the fourth-best mark in the league and the 10th-best mark nationally.
HOME, SWEET HOME
NC State will be very glad to be back in the friendly confines of Carter-Finley Stadium this week, after facing the nation's toughest road stretch of 2016 and the toughest in school history.
For the first time in school history, NC State faced top 10 teams on the road in back-to-back games. It marked only the fifth time that NC State had played back-to-back games against top 10 teams.
PACK BOASTS NATIONAL DISTINCTION
NC State is the only team in the FBS this season that has had the privilege of facing top 10 teams on the road in back to back games.
The Wolfpack is one of six FBS squads that has had back-to-back top 10 opponents this season, but the only one that has faced both on the road.
RUSHING INTO THE RECORD BOOK
Although he doesn't receive as much national attention as some of his league counterparts, senior running back Matt Dayes is quietly having one of the best seasons in school history. Dayes enters Game 8 ranked 33rd in the FBS in rushing with 97.4 yards per game - the third-best mark in the ACC.  His average went down dramatically after he missed 3/4 of the Louisville game after getting banged up.
An impressive 50% (344 of 682) of his rushing yards have come from yards after contact in 2016.
Dayes hadn't played a game in 306 days before this year's season opener due to a season-ending foot injury suffered last season against Clemson (10/31/15). He has now posted 100-yard rushing games in 10 of his last 14-1/2 outings (he was injured in the first half of game 8 last season).
CAREER RECORDS
| Category | Mark | Rank |
| Rushing Yds/Att | 5.6 | 1st |
| Total Touchowns | 34 | 4th |
| Rushing TDs | 28 | 5th |
| 100-yard Games | 10 | t-5th |
| All-Purpose Yds | 3,695 | 8th |
| Rushing Yds | 2,372 | 11th |
| Rushing Attempts | 425 | 15th |
SINGLE SEASON RECORDS
| Category | Mark | Year | Rank |
| Rushing Yds/Att | 6.5 | 2015 | 3rd |
| 5.6 | 2016 | 10th | |
| Rushing Yds | 865 | 2015 | 14th |
| Rushing TDs | 12 | 2015 | t-7th |
STOPPING THE RUN
NC State has been outstanding stopping the run in 2016, allowing just 105 ground yards per game. That mark ranks fourth in the ACC (the Pack had lead the league prior to allowing 163 yards at Louisville) and ranks 12th in the FBS. Â
The 163 rushing yards by Louisville was the most against the Wolfpack all season. However, that mark was 142.7 yards less that what the Cardinals were averaging on the ground heading into the contest (305.7 rushing ypg).
Three Wolfpack opponents (William & Mary, Wake Forest and Notre Dame) posted rushing totals less than 70 yards. The Wolfpack held No. 3 Clemson to 117 yards - 61 yards less than the Tigers' average heading into the contest.
FAB FIVE
One of the biggest question marks for the Wolfpack heading into the 2016 season was the offensive line. That group had to rebuild aftr three three-year starters from 2015 completed their eligibility: All-American tackle Joe Thuney (who is starting for the New England Patriots), guard Alex Barr and center Quinton Schooley.
First-year o-line coach Dwayne Ledford, also was without returning starters Tony Adams (injury) and Will Richardson (suspsension) during the spring and had only four linemen healthy during spring drills.
But that unit, named the "Band of Brothers" by Ledford, has solidified into something special and for the first time under head coach Dave Doeren, the Wolfpack has had the same starting five on the offensive line in each of the first six games to start a season.
LT Tyler Jones (490), LG Garrett Bradbury (495), and C Joe Scelfo (491) have played virtually every snap for the Wolfpack this season (the Pack has run 497 offensive plays, but that doesn't include penalties, which are included in the players' snap totals).
 RG Tony Adams has been in for 472 snaps (he missed a few at Clemson and at Louisville with an injury), and RT WIll Richardson (427) played almost every snap of the first six games before missing the Louisville contest.
Those five have combined to play 2,375 of a possible 2,485 snaps (95.6%) on the Pack's offensive line this season.
The Band of Brothers has yielded just 10 sacks in 2016. NC State ranks 24th in the FBS in sacks given up this season.
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NIC
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