Saturday, September 26
Mobile, Ala.
8 PM
NC State
at
South Alabama
Wolfpack Closes out Non-Conference Slate at South Alabama
9/25/2015 8:49:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Thursday Football Notebook | Doeren Media Availability
Game 4: NC State Wolfpack (3-0) at South Alabama Jaguars (2-1)
September 26, 2015 • 8 p.m. (ET)
Mobile, Ala. • Ladd-Peebles Stadium (40,000)
TV: ESPNews/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 108, XM 193
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - When it closes out the non-conference portion of its 2015 football schedule on Saturday night, NC State will be facing a team that is coming off a win its coach called "the biggest in school history."
Now it's up to the Wolfpack (3-0) to make sure South Alabama (2-1) doesn't record the biggest win in school history for the second straight week.
The Jaguars returned from the west coast feeling pretty good about themselves following last Saturday night's 34-27 overtime win at San Diego State. After watching his team overcome a 17-3 deficit and put up 511 yards of total offense, South Alabama coach Joey Jones probably wasn't resorting to hyperbole when he made the 'biggest win in school history' comment.
A scheduled Friday night parade and pep rally in downtown Mobile will precede Saturday night's 8 p.m. (eastern time) contest between the Pack and Jags. For the second straight week, the name 'NC State' has been circled on the calendar by an upcoming opponent searching for college football relevance and respect.
On one hand, the hometown hype speaks volumes about how far the Wolfpack program has come over the last few years. Of course, the flip side of that equation is the real possibility that the Pack's visit will be greeted by a hungry opponent and a rowdy road atmosphere.
Fortunately, NC State is getting the hang of having success when it ventures away from the friendly confines of Carter-Finley Stadium. With a victory on Saturday night, the Wolfpack would stretch its winning streak in games away from Raleigh to five--something that hasn't been done at State since a slender, bespectacled magician named Lou Holtz was roaming the sidelines.
"It's a great challenge for our team," said Pack head coach Dave Doeren. "They haven't had a team at NC State win five in a row on the road since 1973. That's a long time ago. It's a great challenge for our football team to make history with a win on the road. We want to do things all the time to raise the bar in our program, so that will be a huge emphasis this week to go on the road and do something that hasn't been done since well before our players were born."
Doeren himself was not even three years old when NC State last prevailed in five consecutive games away from Raleigh, a streak that covered portions of the 1973-74 seasons.
Since absorbing a 41-0 loss at Clemson a year ago, the Wolfpack has gone 4-1 on the road. The only loss in that stretch was a close, competitive defeat at Louisville last October 18.
"We learned, I think, just through trial and error," said Doeren. "When we went to Clemson last year and lost the way we did, a lot of things changed. The Louisville game was the first time since I've been here that we played well on the road. We didn't win, but we played really well. From that moment on, the guys really bought into the process more."
When it marched down the field on a drive that covered 73 yards on 15 plays on its opening possession at Old Dominion last week, NC State appeared to be a poised, tough group that wasn't going to be either distracted or intimidated by a hostile road atmosphere.
Similar focus will be required this weekend. Based on their personnel and the results from last week, South Alabama appears to be the most talented, athletic team the Pack will have faced to date.
In the much-celebrated triumph at San Diego State, the Jaguars got 142 yards rushing and two touchdowns from tailback Xavier Johnson, along with 270 yards passing and two scoring throws from quarterback Cody Clements. Clements, one of 12 players who transferred in from Alabama-Birmingham after that program was suspended, piled up 173 yards passing in the second half alone last week.
"They were down 17-3 and came back, which says a lot about their kids," Doeren said. "They've really benefitted by what happened last year at UAB. UAB's decision has really helped South Alabama's program. Maybe the best players on their team on offense are from there. I'm happy those kids are getting a chance to play the game."
Through the first three games of the season, NC State has imposed its will by staying on the field on offense, and staying off it on defense.
The Wolfpack offense has been on the field for more than 40 minutes in each of the first three games to lead the nation in time of possession. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Doeren's defense has limited opposing teams to an 18 percent conversion rate on third downs. State ranks second nationally in both fewest first downs allowed (28) and in defensive three and outs, having forced 22 three and outs on 35 possessions.
"We're fresh," said Wolfpack defensive end Mike Rose," We really haven't played that much this season. The offense does a great job of keeping us off the field. The longer we're off the field, the better."
Saturday's match-up will mark the final game in a three-game series between the two schools. NC State posted lopsided victories over South Alabama in Raleigh back in 2011 and 2012.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage from Mobile Saturday evening at 6 p.m (ET). In hour two of the pregame show shortly after 7 p.m., former Wolfpack All-American Johnny Evans will field questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Ask Johnny a question on Twitter/@packradio or go here.
For a complete recap of Saturday's contest between NC State and South Alabama, tune in to the Dave Doeren TV Show, which airs Sunday night in the Triangle on WRAL TV-5 at 11:30. The show is also streamed on Gopack.com each Monday. For a schedule of times and stations, click here.
Game 4: NC State Wolfpack (3-0) at South Alabama Jaguars (2-1)
September 26, 2015 • 8 p.m. (ET)
Mobile, Ala. • Ladd-Peebles Stadium (40,000)
TV: ESPNews/ESPN3 | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Sirius 108, XM 193
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - When it closes out the non-conference portion of its 2015 football schedule on Saturday night, NC State will be facing a team that is coming off a win its coach called "the biggest in school history."
Now it's up to the Wolfpack (3-0) to make sure South Alabama (2-1) doesn't record the biggest win in school history for the second straight week.
The Jaguars returned from the west coast feeling pretty good about themselves following last Saturday night's 34-27 overtime win at San Diego State. After watching his team overcome a 17-3 deficit and put up 511 yards of total offense, South Alabama coach Joey Jones probably wasn't resorting to hyperbole when he made the 'biggest win in school history' comment.
A scheduled Friday night parade and pep rally in downtown Mobile will precede Saturday night's 8 p.m. (eastern time) contest between the Pack and Jags. For the second straight week, the name 'NC State' has been circled on the calendar by an upcoming opponent searching for college football relevance and respect.
On one hand, the hometown hype speaks volumes about how far the Wolfpack program has come over the last few years. Of course, the flip side of that equation is the real possibility that the Pack's visit will be greeted by a hungry opponent and a rowdy road atmosphere.
Fortunately, NC State is getting the hang of having success when it ventures away from the friendly confines of Carter-Finley Stadium. With a victory on Saturday night, the Wolfpack would stretch its winning streak in games away from Raleigh to five--something that hasn't been done at State since a slender, bespectacled magician named Lou Holtz was roaming the sidelines.
"It's a great challenge for our team," said Pack head coach Dave Doeren. "They haven't had a team at NC State win five in a row on the road since 1973. That's a long time ago. It's a great challenge for our football team to make history with a win on the road. We want to do things all the time to raise the bar in our program, so that will be a huge emphasis this week to go on the road and do something that hasn't been done since well before our players were born."
Doeren himself was not even three years old when NC State last prevailed in five consecutive games away from Raleigh, a streak that covered portions of the 1973-74 seasons.
Since absorbing a 41-0 loss at Clemson a year ago, the Wolfpack has gone 4-1 on the road. The only loss in that stretch was a close, competitive defeat at Louisville last October 18.
"We learned, I think, just through trial and error," said Doeren. "When we went to Clemson last year and lost the way we did, a lot of things changed. The Louisville game was the first time since I've been here that we played well on the road. We didn't win, but we played really well. From that moment on, the guys really bought into the process more."
When it marched down the field on a drive that covered 73 yards on 15 plays on its opening possession at Old Dominion last week, NC State appeared to be a poised, tough group that wasn't going to be either distracted or intimidated by a hostile road atmosphere.
Similar focus will be required this weekend. Based on their personnel and the results from last week, South Alabama appears to be the most talented, athletic team the Pack will have faced to date.
In the much-celebrated triumph at San Diego State, the Jaguars got 142 yards rushing and two touchdowns from tailback Xavier Johnson, along with 270 yards passing and two scoring throws from quarterback Cody Clements. Clements, one of 12 players who transferred in from Alabama-Birmingham after that program was suspended, piled up 173 yards passing in the second half alone last week.
"They were down 17-3 and came back, which says a lot about their kids," Doeren said. "They've really benefitted by what happened last year at UAB. UAB's decision has really helped South Alabama's program. Maybe the best players on their team on offense are from there. I'm happy those kids are getting a chance to play the game."
Through the first three games of the season, NC State has imposed its will by staying on the field on offense, and staying off it on defense.
The Wolfpack offense has been on the field for more than 40 minutes in each of the first three games to lead the nation in time of possession. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ball, Doeren's defense has limited opposing teams to an 18 percent conversion rate on third downs. State ranks second nationally in both fewest first downs allowed (28) and in defensive three and outs, having forced 22 three and outs on 35 possessions.
"We're fresh," said Wolfpack defensive end Mike Rose," We really haven't played that much this season. The offense does a great job of keeping us off the field. The longer we're off the field, the better."
Saturday's match-up will mark the final game in a three-game series between the two schools. NC State posted lopsided victories over South Alabama in Raleigh back in 2011 and 2012.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage from Mobile Saturday evening at 6 p.m (ET). In hour two of the pregame show shortly after 7 p.m., former Wolfpack All-American Johnny Evans will field questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Ask Johnny a question on Twitter/@packradio or go here.
For a complete recap of Saturday's contest between NC State and South Alabama, tune in to the Dave Doeren TV Show, which airs Sunday night in the Triangle on WRAL TV-5 at 11:30. The show is also streamed on Gopack.com each Monday. For a schedule of times and stations, click here.
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Wednesday, September 03
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 1)
Monday, September 01
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs ECU
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Thursday, August 28