Big Opportunity for NC State Against No. 3 Clemson
10/30/2015 8:55:00 AM | Football
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Game 8: NC State Wolfpack (5-2, 1-2) vs. #3 Clemson Tigers (7-0, 4-0)
October 31, 2015 • 3:30 p.m.
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (57,600)
TV: ABC or ESPN2/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 84, XM 84
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - For the fifth time since 2011, the NC State football team (5-2, 1-2) will host a team ranked in college football's top-10 when 3rd-ranked Clemson (7-0, 4-0) visits Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Renowned for its boisterous atmosphere, Carter-Finley has earned the reputation of bringing out the best in recent Wolfpack teams in games of this magnitude. A year ago against top-ranked Florida State, the Pack jumped out to a 24-7 lead before eventually falling, 56-41. In 2012, NC State shattered No. 3 FSU's national title hopes with a come-from-behind 17-16 triumph over the Seminoles. The year before that, the Wolfpack took down a Clemson team ranked seventh, 37-13.
A big opportunity beckons again for the 2015 Pack, which will need all the home cooking it can muster against a Clemson team that has won 10 straight games dating back to last season.
"Just knocking off the No. 3 team in the country on our home field would be really good," said State fullback Jaylen Samuels. "For our program, people would look at us differently."
This Clemson team, coach Dabo Swinney's eighth in Death Valley, seems to be improving with every game. Over the last three games, the Tigers have averaged 45 points and 545 yards of total offense. It's a three-game stretch that culminated with last weekend's stunning 58-0 demolition of Miami on the road. On the other side of the ball, Clemson ranks fourth in the nation in total defense (262.3) and seventh in scoring defense (14.3). In the aftermath of the win over Miami, the Tigers received six first place votes in the AP Poll.
"I expect their best shot," Samuels said. "They're coming off the good win against Miami. We're coming off a good team victory as well against Wake. I'm expecting their best shot because they're trying to win the national championship."
Both teams have demonstrated a knack for getting off to fast starts. After jumping out to a 28-0 first quarter lead last week at Wake Forest, NC State has now outscored its opponents 80-21 in the first quarter. The Wolfpack has put 28 points on the board in the opening period twice this season (at South Alabama). The Pack has also gotten points in its first drive five out of seven games.
Clemson has been just as overpowering early in games, holding an 81-13 advantage over the opposition in the first quarter. In the first half of games, the Tigers have outscored their opponents by a whopping 179-33 margin.
"I feel like we need to come out like we did last week and jump on them early," Samuels said. "They're going to score points and make plays. We just need to come out and execute, make plays when they need to be made, convert on third downs and be efficient in the red zone."
In other words, the Pack has to do just about everything right to put itself in a position to pull off an upset.
"They present a lot of challenges, but it's a great opportunity and we're excited about it," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "To have the chance to play the No. 3 team in our stadium on homecoming is great for our fan base. Any game, any team can win. If you don't beat yourself, play to the best of your ability and have a few breaks go your way, you can beat anybody. That's what we're going to do and we know we're going to play a great team."
Both offenses are among the most balanced in the country. With the passing of preseason ACC Player of the Year Deshaun Watson and running of Wayne Gallman, The Tigers rank thirrd in the ACC in both passing offense and rushing offense.
NC State averages 212 yards rushing and 200 yards passing per game. Wolfpack tailback Matt Dayes is the league's second leading rusher (113.3), while Gallman is third (100.3).
This game will also feature two of the ACC's premiere pass-rushing defense ends. Following a three-sack performance at Wake Forest, NC State's Mike Rose leads the league in sacks with 6.5. Shaq Lawson, who will line-up across from the Wolfpack's best offensive lineman, Joe Thuney, owns 5.5 sacks on the season.
Last week's lopsided victory at Miami was Clemson's most one-sided road win since 1915, but it also came in a half-empty stadium occupied by what could only be described as rather ambivalent fan base in South Florida. The Tigers know the energy level will be amped up quite a bit more this Saturday.
"It's a tough place to play," Swinney said. "We have great respect for NC State. I think their environment there is one of the best places we have in this conference and certainly one of the best places I've been to. They do a great job of supporting their team and we know they'll be jacked up for the Tigers to show up."
Not only does Saturday's game provide NC State with the opportunity to even its ACC record at 2-2, it also gives the Wolfpack another chance to live up to its reputation as a giant-killer. The Pack is 3-3 in its last six games against teams ranked in the top-10.
"We believe that we can beat any opponent as long as we execute with great detail and focus," said NC State cornerback Jack Tocho. "You can't look at a team like Clemson as a monster. We can't look at Clemson as a team that's impossible to beat, we have to look at them as another opponent."
Saturday's 3:30 p.m. kickoff will be preceded by Wolfpack Sports Network coverage, which begins at 1:30 p.m. In the second hour of the pregame show shortly after 2:30 p.m., former NC State All-American and color analyst Johnny Evans takes your questions about Pack football on Ask the Analyst. Send Johnny a question on Twitter/@packradio or submit a question by clicking here.
A full recap of the NC State-Clemson game will be available on the Dave Doeren TV Show, which will air in the Triangle on Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on WRAL TV-5. For other times and stations, click here.
Game 8: NC State Wolfpack (5-2, 1-2) vs. #3 Clemson Tigers (7-0, 4-0)
October 31, 2015 • 3:30 p.m.
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (57,600)
TV: ABC or ESPN2/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 84, XM 84
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - For the fifth time since 2011, the NC State football team (5-2, 1-2) will host a team ranked in college football's top-10 when 3rd-ranked Clemson (7-0, 4-0) visits Carter-Finley Stadium Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
Renowned for its boisterous atmosphere, Carter-Finley has earned the reputation of bringing out the best in recent Wolfpack teams in games of this magnitude. A year ago against top-ranked Florida State, the Pack jumped out to a 24-7 lead before eventually falling, 56-41. In 2012, NC State shattered No. 3 FSU's national title hopes with a come-from-behind 17-16 triumph over the Seminoles. The year before that, the Wolfpack took down a Clemson team ranked seventh, 37-13.
A big opportunity beckons again for the 2015 Pack, which will need all the home cooking it can muster against a Clemson team that has won 10 straight games dating back to last season.
"Just knocking off the No. 3 team in the country on our home field would be really good," said State fullback Jaylen Samuels. "For our program, people would look at us differently."
This Clemson team, coach Dabo Swinney's eighth in Death Valley, seems to be improving with every game. Over the last three games, the Tigers have averaged 45 points and 545 yards of total offense. It's a three-game stretch that culminated with last weekend's stunning 58-0 demolition of Miami on the road. On the other side of the ball, Clemson ranks fourth in the nation in total defense (262.3) and seventh in scoring defense (14.3). In the aftermath of the win over Miami, the Tigers received six first place votes in the AP Poll.
"I expect their best shot," Samuels said. "They're coming off the good win against Miami. We're coming off a good team victory as well against Wake. I'm expecting their best shot because they're trying to win the national championship."
Both teams have demonstrated a knack for getting off to fast starts. After jumping out to a 28-0 first quarter lead last week at Wake Forest, NC State has now outscored its opponents 80-21 in the first quarter. The Wolfpack has put 28 points on the board in the opening period twice this season (at South Alabama). The Pack has also gotten points in its first drive five out of seven games.
Clemson has been just as overpowering early in games, holding an 81-13 advantage over the opposition in the first quarter. In the first half of games, the Tigers have outscored their opponents by a whopping 179-33 margin.
"I feel like we need to come out like we did last week and jump on them early," Samuels said. "They're going to score points and make plays. We just need to come out and execute, make plays when they need to be made, convert on third downs and be efficient in the red zone."
In other words, the Pack has to do just about everything right to put itself in a position to pull off an upset.
"They present a lot of challenges, but it's a great opportunity and we're excited about it," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "To have the chance to play the No. 3 team in our stadium on homecoming is great for our fan base. Any game, any team can win. If you don't beat yourself, play to the best of your ability and have a few breaks go your way, you can beat anybody. That's what we're going to do and we know we're going to play a great team."
Both offenses are among the most balanced in the country. With the passing of preseason ACC Player of the Year Deshaun Watson and running of Wayne Gallman, The Tigers rank thirrd in the ACC in both passing offense and rushing offense.
NC State averages 212 yards rushing and 200 yards passing per game. Wolfpack tailback Matt Dayes is the league's second leading rusher (113.3), while Gallman is third (100.3).
This game will also feature two of the ACC's premiere pass-rushing defense ends. Following a three-sack performance at Wake Forest, NC State's Mike Rose leads the league in sacks with 6.5. Shaq Lawson, who will line-up across from the Wolfpack's best offensive lineman, Joe Thuney, owns 5.5 sacks on the season.
Last week's lopsided victory at Miami was Clemson's most one-sided road win since 1915, but it also came in a half-empty stadium occupied by what could only be described as rather ambivalent fan base in South Florida. The Tigers know the energy level will be amped up quite a bit more this Saturday.
"It's a tough place to play," Swinney said. "We have great respect for NC State. I think their environment there is one of the best places we have in this conference and certainly one of the best places I've been to. They do a great job of supporting their team and we know they'll be jacked up for the Tigers to show up."
Not only does Saturday's game provide NC State with the opportunity to even its ACC record at 2-2, it also gives the Wolfpack another chance to live up to its reputation as a giant-killer. The Pack is 3-3 in its last six games against teams ranked in the top-10.
"We believe that we can beat any opponent as long as we execute with great detail and focus," said NC State cornerback Jack Tocho. "You can't look at a team like Clemson as a monster. We can't look at Clemson as a team that's impossible to beat, we have to look at them as another opponent."
Saturday's 3:30 p.m. kickoff will be preceded by Wolfpack Sports Network coverage, which begins at 1:30 p.m. In the second hour of the pregame show shortly after 2:30 p.m., former NC State All-American and color analyst Johnny Evans takes your questions about Pack football on Ask the Analyst. Send Johnny a question on Twitter/@packradio or submit a question by clicking here.
A full recap of the NC State-Clemson game will be available on the Dave Doeren TV Show, which will air in the Triangle on Sunday night at 11:30 p.m. on WRAL TV-5. For other times and stations, click here.
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