Saturday, October 22
Louisville, Ky.
12 p.m.
NC State
at
Louisville
A Second Straight Top 10 Road Test for the Wolfpack
10/21/2016 9:19:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Thursday Football Notebook
Notes | Quiet Dayes Making Lots of Noise
Game 7: NC State (4-2, 1-1 ACC) vs. #7 Louisville (5-1, 3-1 ACC)
October 22, 2016 • 12 p.m. • ABC/ACC Network Extra
Louisville, Ky. • Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (55,000)
TV: ABC/ACC Network Extra | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Tunein, Sirius 84, XM 84
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - When he was hired as NC State's head football coach, Dave Doeren's vision was to build a program that would be known for its toughness and physicality. Now, halfway through the 2016 season, it appears Doeren's plan is coming to fruition.
On Saturday, the Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC) will have to again call on all the toughness it can muster when it faces another top 10 team on the road for the second straight week.
When the Pack meets No. 7 Louisville (5-1, 3-1) at 12 p.m., it will mark the first time in school history that an NC State team has played back-to-back road games against teams ranked in the top 10 of the major college football polls.
As it turns out, State is the only team in the FBS that will face such a daunting task this season.
"Those are the games you live for and the games you talk about growing up," said defensive end Bradley Chubb. "I don't really care who we play. I'm just excited because all we're doing is focusing on us and making sure we're good. At the end of the day, if everybody stays together and we play to the best of our ability, good things are going to happen."
The Pack came close to doing just that a week ago at Clemson. Playing on even terms with the third-ranked Tigers all afternoon long in Death Valley, NC State came within an eyelash of posting one of the biggest wins in school history. With its national title hopes on the line, Clemson dodged a big bullet when the game-winning field goal attempt from 33-yards out sailed wide right as time expired. Given a second chance, the Tigers would go on and win it in overtime, 24-17.
Still, NC State emerged from its last two games against Notre Dame and Clemson feeling as if it could compete with just about any team in the country, especially up front at the line of scrimmage where many games are won and loss. One could make a strong case that the Wolfpack won the physical battle against both the Irish and Tigers, a strong statement given the lofty status of those two programs.
"This is a tough man's game," said Doeren. "I didn't get into football because I wanted to see 50 passes a game. I got into it because I like watching guys run full speed and hit each other as hard as they can. That's why I played the game. I love that part of football and to me, that's what football is: It's tough guys competing.
"Even if you're a receiver, you want to be tougher than the guy who's covering you. If you're a defensive back, you want to be tougher than the guy you're covering. That's my mindset, my demeanor and it's what I believe in. My players will know what toughness means and why it's important to us winning."
Clemson certainly knew it was in a physical battle last week. The Tigers coughed the ball up three times on jarring tackles, two of which came compliments of NC State's nickel Dravious Wright, who caused a pair of fumbles.
"Dravious is a great player," Chubb said. "The plays he was making fired everybody up. When you see a guy playing like that, you say 'I've got to step my game up.' It just helps us play together."
Over the last two games, the NC State defense has seven takeaways, including five forced fumbles. The Wolfpack ranks No. 1 in the ACC and fifth in the nation in rushing defense, yielding an average of just 95 yards per game.
Up front on offense, the Pack continues to run the football as well. Senior tailback Matthew Dayes has rushed for better than 100 yards in five of six games this season. A week ago at Clemson, Dayes and his offensive line took control of the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter as Dayes accounted for 63 rushing yards in the final 15 minutes.
"That was totally impressive," Doeren said. "You're talking about a defensive line that has a bunch of enormous guys. They couldn't get in the backfield on us and Matt had some good holes to run through."
Although Dayes has reached the century mark in 10 of his last 13 games dating back to last season, one of his toughest afternoons came against Louisville a year ago. In a 20-13 loss to the Cardinals in Raleigh, Dayes was held to 68 yards on 19 carries.
"Defensively last year, I thought we played one of our better games all year long," said Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino. "Not only did we have our gap responsibilities, we got off blocks and made tackles."
Petrino, however, has customarily been known for the offenses he puts on the field, and this year's Louisville attack is one of the best in the country. The Cardinals lead the nation in scoring (52 ppg) and average 627.5 yards per game.
Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate with his unique blend of running skill and passing ability. Jackson is the first player in ACC history to rush for 15 touchdowns and throw 15 touchdown passes in the same season, and he's done it in only six games.
"We're going to go after Lamar as best we can," Doeren said. "He is as talented a running quarterback as I've seen in my life. He'll make plays on us; he's made plays on everybody. We've got to limit the plays that he gets."
Even though Louisville was held to 24 points in a victory over Duke last Friday night, Jackson still managed to roll up 325 yards of total offense.
For second straight week, NC State will be given a national stage to make an impression against not only one of the nation's best players, but one of its top teams as well.
"I don't care who we play, honestly," said tight end/fullback Jaylen Samuels. "I like the competition every week. If wish we could have a top 10 team every week. Coming off a tough loss, it would mean a lot for us to go up there and win."
With a noon kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage at 10 a.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-Louisville game will be available Sunday on the Dave Doeren TV Show. Click HERE for a full list of affiliates.
Notes | Quiet Dayes Making Lots of Noise
Game 7: NC State (4-2, 1-1 ACC) vs. #7 Louisville (5-1, 3-1 ACC)
October 22, 2016 • 12 p.m. • ABC/ACC Network Extra
Louisville, Ky. • Papa John's Cardinal Stadium (55,000)
TV: ABC/ACC Network Extra | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Tunein, Sirius 84, XM 84
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - When he was hired as NC State's head football coach, Dave Doeren's vision was to build a program that would be known for its toughness and physicality. Now, halfway through the 2016 season, it appears Doeren's plan is coming to fruition.
On Saturday, the Wolfpack (4-2, 1-1 ACC) will have to again call on all the toughness it can muster when it faces another top 10 team on the road for the second straight week.
When the Pack meets No. 7 Louisville (5-1, 3-1) at 12 p.m., it will mark the first time in school history that an NC State team has played back-to-back road games against teams ranked in the top 10 of the major college football polls.
As it turns out, State is the only team in the FBS that will face such a daunting task this season.
"Those are the games you live for and the games you talk about growing up," said defensive end Bradley Chubb. "I don't really care who we play. I'm just excited because all we're doing is focusing on us and making sure we're good. At the end of the day, if everybody stays together and we play to the best of our ability, good things are going to happen."
The Pack came close to doing just that a week ago at Clemson. Playing on even terms with the third-ranked Tigers all afternoon long in Death Valley, NC State came within an eyelash of posting one of the biggest wins in school history. With its national title hopes on the line, Clemson dodged a big bullet when the game-winning field goal attempt from 33-yards out sailed wide right as time expired. Given a second chance, the Tigers would go on and win it in overtime, 24-17.
Still, NC State emerged from its last two games against Notre Dame and Clemson feeling as if it could compete with just about any team in the country, especially up front at the line of scrimmage where many games are won and loss. One could make a strong case that the Wolfpack won the physical battle against both the Irish and Tigers, a strong statement given the lofty status of those two programs.
"This is a tough man's game," said Doeren. "I didn't get into football because I wanted to see 50 passes a game. I got into it because I like watching guys run full speed and hit each other as hard as they can. That's why I played the game. I love that part of football and to me, that's what football is: It's tough guys competing.
"Even if you're a receiver, you want to be tougher than the guy who's covering you. If you're a defensive back, you want to be tougher than the guy you're covering. That's my mindset, my demeanor and it's what I believe in. My players will know what toughness means and why it's important to us winning."
Clemson certainly knew it was in a physical battle last week. The Tigers coughed the ball up three times on jarring tackles, two of which came compliments of NC State's nickel Dravious Wright, who caused a pair of fumbles.
"Dravious is a great player," Chubb said. "The plays he was making fired everybody up. When you see a guy playing like that, you say 'I've got to step my game up.' It just helps us play together."
Over the last two games, the NC State defense has seven takeaways, including five forced fumbles. The Wolfpack ranks No. 1 in the ACC and fifth in the nation in rushing defense, yielding an average of just 95 yards per game.
Up front on offense, the Pack continues to run the football as well. Senior tailback Matthew Dayes has rushed for better than 100 yards in five of six games this season. A week ago at Clemson, Dayes and his offensive line took control of the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter as Dayes accounted for 63 rushing yards in the final 15 minutes.
"That was totally impressive," Doeren said. "You're talking about a defensive line that has a bunch of enormous guys. They couldn't get in the backfield on us and Matt had some good holes to run through."
Although Dayes has reached the century mark in 10 of his last 13 games dating back to last season, one of his toughest afternoons came against Louisville a year ago. In a 20-13 loss to the Cardinals in Raleigh, Dayes was held to 68 yards on 19 carries.
"Defensively last year, I thought we played one of our better games all year long," said Louisville head coach Bobby Petrino. "Not only did we have our gap responsibilities, we got off blocks and made tackles."
Petrino, however, has customarily been known for the offenses he puts on the field, and this year's Louisville attack is one of the best in the country. The Cardinals lead the nation in scoring (52 ppg) and average 627.5 yards per game.
Sophomore quarterback Lamar Jackson has emerged as a Heisman Trophy candidate with his unique blend of running skill and passing ability. Jackson is the first player in ACC history to rush for 15 touchdowns and throw 15 touchdown passes in the same season, and he's done it in only six games.
"We're going to go after Lamar as best we can," Doeren said. "He is as talented a running quarterback as I've seen in my life. He'll make plays on us; he's made plays on everybody. We've got to limit the plays that he gets."
Even though Louisville was held to 24 points in a victory over Duke last Friday night, Jackson still managed to roll up 325 yards of total offense.
For second straight week, NC State will be given a national stage to make an impression against not only one of the nation's best players, but one of its top teams as well.
"I don't care who we play, honestly," said tight end/fullback Jaylen Samuels. "I like the competition every week. If wish we could have a top 10 team every week. Coming off a tough loss, it would mean a lot for us to go up there and win."
With a noon kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage at 10 a.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-Louisville game will be available Sunday on the Dave Doeren TV Show. Click HERE for a full list of affiliates.
Players Mentioned
DE
/ Football
RB
/ FootballTE/FB
/ Football
NIC
/ FootballCoach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Nov. 10)
Monday, November 10
Coach Doeren Postgame Presser vs Georgia Tech
Sunday, November 02
FB Players Postgame Presser vs Georgia Tech
Sunday, November 02
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Oct. 27))
Monday, October 27