Saturday, November 7
Chesnut Hill, Mass.
12:30 PM
NC State
at
Boston College
November Stretch Drive Begins at Boston College
11/6/2015 8:36:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Thursday Football Notebook | Doeren Media Availability
Game 9: NC State Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3) at Boston College Eagles (3-6, 0-6)
November 7, 2015 • 12:30 p.m.
Chestnut Hill, Mass. • Alumni Stadium (44,500)
TV: ACCN/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 132, XM 204
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - November has arrived.
The colors of autumn abate as the chills of an oncoming winter signal an inevitable seasonal change. For college football teams, however, the arrival of November means something else entirely. The heat is now turned up for players and coaches trying to make a final push towards championships and bowl games.
NC State is one such team.
A win on the road at Boston College (3-6, 0-6 ACC) on Saturday would make the Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3) bowl eligible for the second straight year. To reach that goal, the Pack will have to generate offense against one of the nation's best defensive units without one of its most productive players.
In the midst of a career-best season, tailback Matt Dayes will miss NC State's last four regular season games due to a foot injury suffered during the second quarter of last weekend's game against Clemson. Currently the ACC's third leading rusher with an average of 108.1 yards per game, Dayes is scheduled to undergo surgery on the injury Friday.
With 865 yards, the junior from Weston, Fla., was on track to become the Wolfpack's first 1,000 yard rusher since T.A. McClendon crossed that threshold in 2002. He also ranked first in the ACC with 12 rushing touchdowns before limping off the Carter-Finley Stadium field last Saturday.
The Pack will try to fill the void by committee.
"Jaylen Samuels has started trending that way," NC State coach Dave Doeren said of the talented H-back who saw action in the backfield after Dayes went down last week. "We feel good about Dakwa [Nichols] and Reggie [Gallaspy]. Those are the three guys you'll see back there the most."
Between them, Nichols, a redshirt sophomore, and Gallaspy, a true freshman, have combined for 189 yards on 43 carries in the first eight games. The talented Samuels, who leads the Pack in receptions with 42, has become a 'jack of all trades' with his ability to make plays from numerous positions. He ranks as State's second leading rusher with 208 yards on 29 carries along with 11 total touchdowns.
The 'next man up' mentality will certainly be prevalent when the Wolfpack tries to breakthrough in what has become a rather unpleasant road destination in recent years. Since B.C. joined the ACC in 2005, the Pack has come up empty on five straight strips to Alumni Stadium.
Among other things on Saturday, Boston College will be honoring its seniors on what will be the team's final home game of the 2015 season.
Following a good week of preparation, Doeren pronounced his team ready upon leaving the practice field on Thursday.
"They've been great," he said. "They want to win, they want to be bowl eligible, and they want to go up there and win at a place where we haven't won in 10 years. That's important to them. We know we're going to get a great effort from them because it's senior day and they're a very good football team on defense that plays tough, hits you in the mouth and helps their offense by creating turnovers. We've got to play our best football up there. We've taken them extremely serious and we have to in order to come out with a win."
Despite their current five-game winning streak, the Eagles have managed to stay close and competitive in most games thanks to a stout defense that has often smothered even the most talented of opponents. Boston College yielded just 14 points to Florida State (14-0), only nine to Duke (9-7), and a field goal to Wake Forest in a 3-0 loss to the Deacons.
B.C. ranks first in the nation in total defense (223.8), first in rushing defense (64.2) and No. 1 in tackles for loss (88). In their last two games against Louisville and Virginia Tech, the Eagles dropped ball carriers on the other side of the line of scrimmage 27 times.
"We know it's going to be a physical game and they're a good defense," said NC State tight end Cole Cook. "We prepare each week the same way for every team, so if we keep preparing the way we need to, I think we'll be ok."
Given the fact that Boston College also features the ACC's least prolific offense, another quick start would be the perfect tonic for an NC State victory on Saturday. Over its last two games against Wake Forest and Clemson, the Wolfpack has put 41 points on the board in the first quarter. State has also gotten points on its opening drive in six out of eight games.
"We've just been focusing on starting fast," Cook said. "Not only starting fast, but continuing that throughout the whole game. We focus on trying to play four quarters of football."
Sustained offensive production has been a big problem for Boston College, which has struggled with a young, inexperienced offensive line, a rarity for a school that is usually powerful up front. Head coach Steve Addazio has also juggled quarterbacks throughout the season.
A week ago against Virginia Tech, the Eagles brought walk-on John Fadule into the game after Troy Flutie was ineffective early. Fadule, the fourth different quarterback used by B.C. in 2015, tallied a team-leading 53 yards rushing while also passing for 143 yards.
"I know they felt good about Fadule last week," Doeren said. "Smith is really fast, so I assume he's a guy who could come in. If they get into a passing-type of situation, Flutie seems to be the guy they put in there the most in those scenarios. I tell our players we can't control who they put in there, we just need to be ready to defend what they do."
Flutie is the nephew of Boston College legend Doug Flutie, while true freshman Jeff Smith has played in parts of three games.
For NC State, Saturday's contest will provide an opportunity to begin a November to remember on what is forecast to be an unseasonably pleasant New England afternoon with temperatures expected to reach 60 degrees.
Saturday's 12:30 p.m. kickoff will be preceded by Wolfpack Sports Network coverage, which begins at 10:30 a.m. In the second hour of the pregame show shortly after 11:30 a.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 through email by clicking here.
A full recap of the NC State-Boston College 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 9: NC State Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3) at Boston College Eagles (3-6, 0-6)
November 7, 2015 • 12:30 p.m.
Chestnut Hill, Mass. • Alumni Stadium (44,500)
TV: ACCN/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 132, XM 204
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - November has arrived.
The colors of autumn abate as the chills of an oncoming winter signal an inevitable seasonal change. For college football teams, however, the arrival of November means something else entirely. The heat is now turned up for players and coaches trying to make a final push towards championships and bowl games.
NC State is one such team.
A win on the road at Boston College (3-6, 0-6 ACC) on Saturday would make the Wolfpack (5-3, 1-3) bowl eligible for the second straight year. To reach that goal, the Pack will have to generate offense against one of the nation's best defensive units without one of its most productive players.
In the midst of a career-best season, tailback Matt Dayes will miss NC State's last four regular season games due to a foot injury suffered during the second quarter of last weekend's game against Clemson. Currently the ACC's third leading rusher with an average of 108.1 yards per game, Dayes is scheduled to undergo surgery on the injury Friday.
With 865 yards, the junior from Weston, Fla., was on track to become the Wolfpack's first 1,000 yard rusher since T.A. McClendon crossed that threshold in 2002. He also ranked first in the ACC with 12 rushing touchdowns before limping off the Carter-Finley Stadium field last Saturday.
The Pack will try to fill the void by committee.
"Jaylen Samuels has started trending that way," NC State coach Dave Doeren said of the talented H-back who saw action in the backfield after Dayes went down last week. "We feel good about Dakwa [Nichols] and Reggie [Gallaspy]. Those are the three guys you'll see back there the most."
Between them, Nichols, a redshirt sophomore, and Gallaspy, a true freshman, have combined for 189 yards on 43 carries in the first eight games. The talented Samuels, who leads the Pack in receptions with 42, has become a 'jack of all trades' with his ability to make plays from numerous positions. He ranks as State's second leading rusher with 208 yards on 29 carries along with 11 total touchdowns.
The 'next man up' mentality will certainly be prevalent when the Wolfpack tries to breakthrough in what has become a rather unpleasant road destination in recent years. Since B.C. joined the ACC in 2005, the Pack has come up empty on five straight strips to Alumni Stadium.
Among other things on Saturday, Boston College will be honoring its seniors on what will be the team's final home game of the 2015 season.
Following a good week of preparation, Doeren pronounced his team ready upon leaving the practice field on Thursday.
"They've been great," he said. "They want to win, they want to be bowl eligible, and they want to go up there and win at a place where we haven't won in 10 years. That's important to them. We know we're going to get a great effort from them because it's senior day and they're a very good football team on defense that plays tough, hits you in the mouth and helps their offense by creating turnovers. We've got to play our best football up there. We've taken them extremely serious and we have to in order to come out with a win."
Despite their current five-game winning streak, the Eagles have managed to stay close and competitive in most games thanks to a stout defense that has often smothered even the most talented of opponents. Boston College yielded just 14 points to Florida State (14-0), only nine to Duke (9-7), and a field goal to Wake Forest in a 3-0 loss to the Deacons.
B.C. ranks first in the nation in total defense (223.8), first in rushing defense (64.2) and No. 1 in tackles for loss (88). In their last two games against Louisville and Virginia Tech, the Eagles dropped ball carriers on the other side of the line of scrimmage 27 times.
"We know it's going to be a physical game and they're a good defense," said NC State tight end Cole Cook. "We prepare each week the same way for every team, so if we keep preparing the way we need to, I think we'll be ok."
Given the fact that Boston College also features the ACC's least prolific offense, another quick start would be the perfect tonic for an NC State victory on Saturday. Over its last two games against Wake Forest and Clemson, the Wolfpack has put 41 points on the board in the first quarter. State has also gotten points on its opening drive in six out of eight games.
"We've just been focusing on starting fast," Cook said. "Not only starting fast, but continuing that throughout the whole game. We focus on trying to play four quarters of football."
Sustained offensive production has been a big problem for Boston College, which has struggled with a young, inexperienced offensive line, a rarity for a school that is usually powerful up front. Head coach Steve Addazio has also juggled quarterbacks throughout the season.
A week ago against Virginia Tech, the Eagles brought walk-on John Fadule into the game after Troy Flutie was ineffective early. Fadule, the fourth different quarterback used by B.C. in 2015, tallied a team-leading 53 yards rushing while also passing for 143 yards.
"I know they felt good about Fadule last week," Doeren said. "Smith is really fast, so I assume he's a guy who could come in. If they get into a passing-type of situation, Flutie seems to be the guy they put in there the most in those scenarios. I tell our players we can't control who they put in there, we just need to be ready to defend what they do."
Flutie is the nephew of Boston College legend Doug Flutie, while true freshman Jeff Smith has played in parts of three games.
For NC State, Saturday's contest will provide an opportunity to begin a November to remember on what is forecast to be an unseasonably pleasant New England afternoon with temperatures expected to reach 60 degrees.
Saturday's 12:30 p.m. kickoff will be preceded by Wolfpack Sports Network coverage, which begins at 10:30 a.m. In the second hour of the pregame show shortly after 11:30 a.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 through email by clicking here.
A full recap of the NC State-Boston College 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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