Wolfpack Opens ACC Play Against Louisville

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Game 5: NC State Wolfpack (4-0, 0-0) vs. Louisville Cardinals (1-3, 0-1)
October 3, 2015 • 12:30 p.m.
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (56,700)

TV: ACC Network/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 108, XM 193
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RALEIGH, N.C. - After taking care of business in impressive fashion through the non-conference portion of its schedule, NC State (4-0) will measure itself against nothing but ACC competition the rest of the way. The always challenging league slate begins against Louisville (1-3, 0-1 ACC) Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium. Kickoff time has been set for 12:30 p.m., and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.

Just like last year at this time, NC State opened its season with four straight wins against non-conference teams. But the comparison between the two teams begins and ends with their 4-0 records. This Wolfpack squad is obviously bigger, stronger, faster, deeper and more experienced than the young team coach Dave Doeren put on the field in September of 2014.

"We're excited to be 4-0," Doeren said after practice on Thursday. "We feel like we've gotten better as a team. A year ago, we were 4-0 and our defense was ranked 100-something in the nation. Now it's ranked ranked third. Our offense is doing a better job, and our special teams and coverage units have been really solid. I'm excited to get into conference play and really excited to get back to Carter-Finley."

In outscoring its first four opponents by a whopping margin of 185-48, NC State emerged with a defense that is yielding an average of just 205.8 yards per game and an offense that ranks first in the ACC in scoring (46.2), second in rushing (259), second in total offense (478.5) and first in time of possession (39:15).

Those numbers were made possible, primarily, by offensive and defensive lines that were able to control the line of scrimmage. Now with Louisville beginning a parade of eight straight games against conference teams, establishing such dominance up front will be more challenging.

"This is a different kind of test just because they're the biggest team we've played, so you're going to play a larger front on both sides," said Doeren. "Their defensive tackles are by far the best we've seen so far. We've seen some good skill players this year, but to me it's always about up front. This will be the best test we've had at the line of scrimmage on both sides."

Operating in the middle of Louisville's 3-4 defense, 6-0, 308-pound nose tackle DeAngelo Brown is a load, while active linebacker Keith Kelsey leads the ACC in tackles. No team in college football has intercepted more passes than the Cardinals the last two seasons. After leading the nation in picks with 26 a year ago, the Cards are up to their old tricks through four games this season with nine interceptions.

On the flip side of the coin, NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett has thrown 189 consecutive passes without an interception, a streak that started in game 10 last year.

"I know they're going to come out feisty," said Brissett. "They're all ball hawks on their defense. They're very athletic and a really good group defensively. I know their coach is going to get them ready to play and they're going to have a scheme that we haven't seen. It's our job to stay true to what we do and go out there and execute."

Complimented by a dominate running game this season, Brissett has looked like the maestro of a well-tuned orchestra through four games. He leads the nation in completion percentage (.779) and ranks 14th in passing efficiency.

"Some of it is running the ball real well," said Louisville coach Bobby Petrino. "That always plays into your completion percentage. Being in situations where you're not having to play from behind and you're not having to throw the ball on third and long helps. Those things have helped him, but he's making good decisions. I thought last year as the year went on, he got better and better with each game. Now he's in the same offense for the second year in a row, so he's more precise with his decision-making."

Known for his offensive creativity as a coach, Petrino has been searching for the right fit at quarterback this season. While three different signal callers have gotten reps this fall, Petrino appears to have settled on his most athletic option at the position. In last week's lopsided 45-3 victory over Samford, freshman Lamar Jackson set a new school record for a quarterback by rushing for 184 yards. he also added 212 through the air for a Louisville team that suffered close losses to Auburn, Houston and Clemson before breaking through last weekend.

Last October 18th, the Cardinals broke open a close game in the fourth quarter to post a 30-18 triumph over the Pack at Papa John's Stadium in Louisville. Since then, State has won eight of nine games, including seven in a row, the longest such streak at the school since the 2002 team opened with a 9-0 record.

Based on the rainy forecast, weather could also play a role in this Saturday's contest. Either way, NC State is happy to be back home after playing back-to-back games on the road.

"If it's raining, it's raining," Doeren said. "We're going to play ball. It's going to be physical, we're going to play four quarters, we're going to run the ball, play-action pass, and we're going to try and stop the run. As long as there's no lightning, it's game on. I hope everybody shows up and puts a parka on. We've been outside all week and haven't used the indoor facility. I thought we did a good job handling the weather this week."

The Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage on Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. with the Matthews Motors Pregame Show. In hour two of the pregame show shortly after 11:30 a.m., former NC State All-American Johnny Evans takes questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Questions can be sent to Johnny on Twitter at @packradio or click here.

For a full recap of the ACC opener, catch the Dave Doeren TV Show, which can be seen in the Triangle Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on WRAL TV-5. The show is also streamed on GoPack.com each Monday. For more viewing information on the Dave Doeren TV Show, click here.

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Players Mentioned

Jacoby Brissett