Saturday, October 1
Raleigh, NC
3:30 p.m.
NC State
vs
Wake Forest - Parents & Families Day
Wolfpack Opens ACC Play Against Wake Forest
9/30/2016 9:53:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Thursday Football Notebook
Where to Watch | Passing Game Looking to Stay Efficient After Bye Week
Game 4: NC State Wolfpack (2-1, 0-0 ACC) vs. Wake Forest (4-0, 1-0 ACC)
October 1, 2016 • 3:30 p.m. • RSN/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
TV: RSN/ACC Network Extra | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Tunein, Sirius 112, XM 194
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - Following an early-season open date, the NC State football team (2-1, 0-0 ACC) will test itself against ACC competition for the first time on Saturday afternoon when it hosts longtime rival Wake Forest (4-0, 1-0 ACC) at Carter-Finley Stadium. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m., and will be televised on RSN.
And while the brutally difficult ACC's Atlantic Division promises future games against nationally ranked opponents like Clemson, Louisville and Florida State, it has become quite obvious early in the season that the Deacons could prove to be one of the most improved teams in the division.
In year three under head coach Dave Clawson, Wake is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2006. Thus far, the opportunistic Deacons have learned the art of winning in a number of different ways, whether that's meant capturing a defensive struggle in week one with a 7-3 victory over Tulane, or being able to knock off Indiana on the road last week despite being outgained 611 yards to just 352.
"Coach Clawson has always done a good job building programs and it's no different here," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren, who also coached against Clawson when they were both head coaches in the MAC. "They're not beating themselves. In the game with Indiana, they forced five takeaways against a good Indiana offense."
Those five takeaways included a crucial 'pick six' by freshman safety Jessie Bates, who was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week after intercepting a pair of passes last week. Not only does Wake Forest own a plus-five turnover margin through four games, the Deacons have been stingy against the run, yielding just 88 yards per game, a figure that ranks 12th in the FBS.
"Defensively, they've been good the entire time Dave has been there," Doeren said. "It's a good challenge for our offense in the run game against a very good rushing defense and a defense that takes the ball away."
Doeren would love to duplicate the performance he got from his rushing attack last season when Matthew Dayes rambled for a career-high 205 rushing yards in NC State's 35-17 victory in Winston-Salem. In winning the last two games against its oldest football rival, the Wolfpack has outscored the Deacons, 77-30.
Doeren used his team's open date to tweak "small things" that popped up in the Wolfpack's first three games, although there's plenty for him to feel good about. Offensively, State is averaging 42 points, 499 total yards and 6.8 yards per play. Through three games a year ago, the Pack was averaging 5.5 yards per play.
The Wolfpack also leads the ACC in third down conversion percentage (57%) and has scored 16 touchdowns in 19 red zone chances. Much of the success has been ignited by transfer quarterback Ryan Finley, who is completing a FBS-best 76 percent of his throws early in the season.
"I think Ryan is really good," said receiver Stephen Louis, who has averaged 25 yards on nine receptions. "I'm not surprised with his accuracy. What you see is what we see every day in practice."
It's likely Wake Forest is equipped to be more stingy than the first three defenses NC State encountered to start the season, meaning the Wolfpack will need to be even more efficient and precise this weekend.
"It's going to be better competition because we're in conference now," Louis said. "We just have to make sure we have no mistakes and pay attention to everything we do for every ACC game, not just this one."
Wake Forest and NC State have played every year since 1910, the longest continuous series amongst all ACC teams. The Wolfpack has been awfully tough on the Deacons in games played at Carter-Finley Stadium, winning all but two of the games played in Raleigh since 1984. Wake's last road triumph in the series came back in 2006.
"A good football game coming up here on Saturday and we're looking forward to the challenge that goes with it," said Doeren. "I know our team is excited to have another home game and to start conference play."
With a 3:30 p.m. kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage at 1:30 p.m. with the Matthews Motors Countdown to Kickoff. In hour two of the pregame show from the radio booth, former Wolfpack All-American Johnny Evans takes question from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Questions about Pack football can be sent to Johnny via Twitter@packradio or by clicking HERE.
A complete recap of the NC State-Wake Forest game will be available Sunday on the Dave Doeren TV Show. Check HERE for times and stations.
Â
Where to Watch | Passing Game Looking to Stay Efficient After Bye Week
Game 4: NC State Wolfpack (2-1, 0-0 ACC) vs. Wake Forest (4-0, 1-0 ACC)
October 1, 2016 • 3:30 p.m. • RSN/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
TV: RSN/ACC Network Extra | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Tunein, Sirius 112, XM 194
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - Following an early-season open date, the NC State football team (2-1, 0-0 ACC) will test itself against ACC competition for the first time on Saturday afternoon when it hosts longtime rival Wake Forest (4-0, 1-0 ACC) at Carter-Finley Stadium. Game time is set for 3:30 p.m., and will be televised on RSN.
And while the brutally difficult ACC's Atlantic Division promises future games against nationally ranked opponents like Clemson, Louisville and Florida State, it has become quite obvious early in the season that the Deacons could prove to be one of the most improved teams in the division.
Inside the matchup vs. @WakeFB pic.twitter.com/VK0tIP0Ekp
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 29, 2016
In year three under head coach Dave Clawson, Wake is off to a 4-0 start for the first time since 2006. Thus far, the opportunistic Deacons have learned the art of winning in a number of different ways, whether that's meant capturing a defensive struggle in week one with a 7-3 victory over Tulane, or being able to knock off Indiana on the road last week despite being outgained 611 yards to just 352.
"Coach Clawson has always done a good job building programs and it's no different here," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren, who also coached against Clawson when they were both head coaches in the MAC. "They're not beating themselves. In the game with Indiana, they forced five takeaways against a good Indiana offense."
Those five takeaways included a crucial 'pick six' by freshman safety Jessie Bates, who was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week after intercepting a pair of passes last week. Not only does Wake Forest own a plus-five turnover margin through four games, the Deacons have been stingy against the run, yielding just 88 yards per game, a figure that ranks 12th in the FBS.
"Defensively, they've been good the entire time Dave has been there," Doeren said. "It's a good challenge for our offense in the run game against a very good rushing defense and a defense that takes the ball away."
Doeren would love to duplicate the performance he got from his rushing attack last season when Matthew Dayes rambled for a career-high 205 rushing yards in NC State's 35-17 victory in Winston-Salem. In winning the last two games against its oldest football rival, the Wolfpack has outscored the Deacons, 77-30.
Doeren used his team's open date to tweak "small things" that popped up in the Wolfpack's first three games, although there's plenty for him to feel good about. Offensively, State is averaging 42 points, 499 total yards and 6.8 yards per play. Through three games a year ago, the Pack was averaging 5.5 yards per play.
The Wolfpack also leads the ACC in third down conversion percentage (57%) and has scored 16 touchdowns in 19 red zone chances. Much of the success has been ignited by transfer quarterback Ryan Finley, who is completing a FBS-best 76 percent of his throws early in the season.
"I think Ryan is really good," said receiver Stephen Louis, who has averaged 25 yards on nine receptions. "I'm not surprised with his accuracy. What you see is what we see every day in practice."
It's likely Wake Forest is equipped to be more stingy than the first three defenses NC State encountered to start the season, meaning the Wolfpack will need to be even more efficient and precise this weekend.
"It's going to be better competition because we're in conference now," Louis said. "We just have to make sure we have no mistakes and pay attention to everything we do for every ACC game, not just this one."
Wake Forest and NC State have played every year since 1910, the longest continuous series amongst all ACC teams. The Wolfpack has been awfully tough on the Deacons in games played at Carter-Finley Stadium, winning all but two of the games played in Raleigh since 1984. Wake's last road triumph in the series came back in 2006.
"A good football game coming up here on Saturday and we're looking forward to the challenge that goes with it," said Doeren. "I know our team is excited to have another home game and to start conference play."
With a 3:30 p.m. kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage at 1:30 p.m. with the Matthews Motors Countdown to Kickoff. In hour two of the pregame show from the radio booth, former Wolfpack All-American Johnny Evans takes question from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Questions about Pack football can be sent to Johnny via Twitter@packradio or by clicking HERE.
A complete recap of the NC State-Wake Forest game will be available Sunday on the Dave Doeren TV Show. Check HERE for times and stations.
Â
Players Mentioned
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Oct. 20)
Monday, October 20
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Oct. 6)
Monday, October 06
FB Players Postgame Presser vs Campbell
Saturday, October 04
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 29)
Monday, September 29