Saturday, November 19
Raleigh, N.C.
12:30 p.m.
NC State
vs
Miami (Fla.) - Ag Day/Senior Day
Wolfpack Meets Miami on Senior Day
11/18/2016 8:46:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Thursday Football Notebook | ACC Network Affiliates
A Special Group | Streak of 598 Straight Games Comes to an End
Game 11: NC State (5-5, 2-4 ACC) vs. Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC)
November 19, 2016 • 12:30 p.m. • ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
TV: ACC Network/ACC Network Extra | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Tunein, Sirius 118, XM 193
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - On the day after he was introduced as NC State's head football coach in December of 2012, Dave Doeren hit the ground running.
One of his first priorities was to piece together a recruiting class in a short amount of time. He called high school seniors who were already committed to the Wolfpack and made contact with others who were still undecided.
On Saturday, many of those same players who chose to stick it out with Doeren and the Pack that first year will come full circle when they play their final home game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
NC State (5-5, 2-4 ACC) must win at least one of its last two games to reach bowl eligibility status for the third consecutive season, and the sixth time over the last seven seasons. Game time is 12:30 p.m.
The opponent will be Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC), an opponent looking to restore a rich tradition of excellence under their first-year head coach Mark Richt. The Hurricanes became bowl eligible for the ninth straight year by posting a road win at Virginia last week, 34-14.
Adding to the intrigue on Saturday will be tailback Matthew Dayes' quest to become NC State's first 1,000-yard rusher since T.A. McLendon in 2002. Dayes, who has seven 100-yard rushing games this season, needs to 61 more yards to reach 1,000.
"Obviously, we all want to get to 1,000 yards, especially for the offensive line," Dayes said. "They've done a heck of a job this season. It would be great to get it."
The soft-spoken Dayes was one of those seniors who joined Doeren's first recruiting class in February of 2013. He offered a glimpse of what was to come in the future when he scored three touchdowns in his first college game as a true freshman.
The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native was well on his way to 1,000 yards a year ago before a toe injury kept him sidelined for the last five games, which is why getting him to 1,000 has been a major goal all season.
"It was a goal for us at the beginning of the season to get Matt to 1,000 yards," left tackle Tyler Jones said. "I think coming into the season we (offensive line) were considered the weak link on the team, so for us to have a 1,000-yard rusher would be a morale boost for us."
Under first-year position coach Dwayne Ledford, the Wolfpack offensive line is no longer considered a 'weak link.' Along with pushing Dayes towards 1,000 yards, the unit has yielded only 16 sacks, a full 23 fewer than the number of sacks allowed last year in 13 games.
Outside of fifth-year grad transfer center Joe Scelfo, four of the five starters on the offensive front are expected to return next season. But before looking ahead to the rest of their careers, they're eager to send all 14 of the Wolfpack's seniors out on a winning note at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"They've been here longer than we have, they've been through the grind longer than we have and it's just a big deal to go out there and play for them in this game," said right tackle Will Richardson.
Doeren's passion for 'senior day' stems from his playing days at Drake University. A tight end for the Bulldogs, Doeren fondly remembers minute details from his senior game back in 1993.
"As a coach it always means a lot, even going back to my last game as a player," he said. "I remember my last game in college and almost every snap of it. I want to send these guys out the right way. It's a great challenge to do that against a very good Miami football team. It's a very emotional moment as a player to have that kind of closure in your playing career and to know you'll never play in that stadium again."
While NC State's seniors will be bidding a fond farewell to Carter-Finley Stadium, it's been quite awhile since Miami played a game in Raleigh. In their last visit to Carter-Finley in 2008, the Hurricanes were bedazzled by a redshirt freshman quarterback named Russell Wilson, who carved up the 'Canes with his running and throwing abilities.
And while no current Miami player has ever played a game at Carter-Finley Stadium – and on the other side no Wolfpack player has ever played against Miami - Richt has some not-so-fond memories there.
"It will be a new experience for all of our players," said Richt, who returns to his alma mater after 15 successful years as the head coach at Georgia. "I've been there a few times back in the day when I was at Florida State. It's a very rough place to play. Their crowd does a beautiful job."
Richt was FSU's offensive coordinator back in 1998 when the second ranked Seminoles suffered a stunning 24-7 setback to the Pack, which at the time was only Florida State's second ACC loss since joining the conference in 1992.
His first Miami team is loaded with both youth and talent. Seven starters on defense are either freshmen or sophomores, including three true freshman linebackers.
The stabilizing force on the other side of the ball is junior quarterback Brad Kaaya, who has thrown for 200 or more yards in 27 of 35 times. A week ago in the triumph at Virginia, Kaaya was complimented by a running game that produced 222 yards on the ground. Tailbacks Mark Walton, Joe Yearby and Gus Edwards are all productive players in Richt's rotation.
After losing four consecutive games at midseason, Miami has seemingly recovered by posting back-to-back wins over Pittsburgh and UVA. The Hurricanes have the fewest turnovers in the ACC with 10, and have turned the football over as many as two times in only one game.
"That's impressive, it really is," Doeren said. "With things the way they are on offense and with how hard kids hit, they're doing a great job coaching ball security. For us, we've been good at getting it back. That's a great match-up. That part of the game is going to be huge."
With a 12:30 p.m. kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage at 10:30 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-Miami game will be available Sunday on the Dave Doeren TV Show. Click HERE for times and stations.
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A Special Group | Streak of 598 Straight Games Comes to an End
Game 11: NC State (5-5, 2-4 ACC) vs. Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC)
November 19, 2016 • 12:30 p.m. • ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
Raleigh, N.C. • Carter-Finley Stadium (58,200)
TV: ACC Network/ACC Network Extra | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Tunein, Sirius 118, XM 193
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst
RALEIGH, N.C. - On the day after he was introduced as NC State's head football coach in December of 2012, Dave Doeren hit the ground running.
One of his first priorities was to piece together a recruiting class in a short amount of time. He called high school seniors who were already committed to the Wolfpack and made contact with others who were still undecided.
On Saturday, many of those same players who chose to stick it out with Doeren and the Pack that first year will come full circle when they play their final home game at Carter-Finley Stadium.
NC State (5-5, 2-4 ACC) must win at least one of its last two games to reach bowl eligibility status for the third consecutive season, and the sixth time over the last seven seasons. Game time is 12:30 p.m.
The opponent will be Miami (6-4, 3-3 ACC), an opponent looking to restore a rich tradition of excellence under their first-year head coach Mark Richt. The Hurricanes became bowl eligible for the ninth straight year by posting a road win at Virginia last week, 34-14.
Adding to the intrigue on Saturday will be tailback Matthew Dayes' quest to become NC State's first 1,000-yard rusher since T.A. McLendon in 2002. Dayes, who has seven 100-yard rushing games this season, needs to 61 more yards to reach 1,000.
"Obviously, we all want to get to 1,000 yards, especially for the offensive line," Dayes said. "They've done a heck of a job this season. It would be great to get it."
The soft-spoken Dayes was one of those seniors who joined Doeren's first recruiting class in February of 2013. He offered a glimpse of what was to come in the future when he scored three touchdowns in his first college game as a true freshman.
The Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., native was well on his way to 1,000 yards a year ago before a toe injury kept him sidelined for the last five games, which is why getting him to 1,000 has been a major goal all season.
"It was a goal for us at the beginning of the season to get Matt to 1,000 yards," left tackle Tyler Jones said. "I think coming into the season we (offensive line) were considered the weak link on the team, so for us to have a 1,000-yard rusher would be a morale boost for us."
Under first-year position coach Dwayne Ledford, the Wolfpack offensive line is no longer considered a 'weak link.' Along with pushing Dayes towards 1,000 yards, the unit has yielded only 16 sacks, a full 23 fewer than the number of sacks allowed last year in 13 games.
Outside of fifth-year grad transfer center Joe Scelfo, four of the five starters on the offensive front are expected to return next season. But before looking ahead to the rest of their careers, they're eager to send all 14 of the Wolfpack's seniors out on a winning note at Carter-Finley Stadium.
"They've been here longer than we have, they've been through the grind longer than we have and it's just a big deal to go out there and play for them in this game," said right tackle Will Richardson.
Doeren's passion for 'senior day' stems from his playing days at Drake University. A tight end for the Bulldogs, Doeren fondly remembers minute details from his senior game back in 1993.
"As a coach it always means a lot, even going back to my last game as a player," he said. "I remember my last game in college and almost every snap of it. I want to send these guys out the right way. It's a great challenge to do that against a very good Miami football team. It's a very emotional moment as a player to have that kind of closure in your playing career and to know you'll never play in that stadium again."
While NC State's seniors will be bidding a fond farewell to Carter-Finley Stadium, it's been quite awhile since Miami played a game in Raleigh. In their last visit to Carter-Finley in 2008, the Hurricanes were bedazzled by a redshirt freshman quarterback named Russell Wilson, who carved up the 'Canes with his running and throwing abilities.
And while no current Miami player has ever played a game at Carter-Finley Stadium – and on the other side no Wolfpack player has ever played against Miami - Richt has some not-so-fond memories there.
"It will be a new experience for all of our players," said Richt, who returns to his alma mater after 15 successful years as the head coach at Georgia. "I've been there a few times back in the day when I was at Florida State. It's a very rough place to play. Their crowd does a beautiful job."
Richt was FSU's offensive coordinator back in 1998 when the second ranked Seminoles suffered a stunning 24-7 setback to the Pack, which at the time was only Florida State's second ACC loss since joining the conference in 1992.
His first Miami team is loaded with both youth and talent. Seven starters on defense are either freshmen or sophomores, including three true freshman linebackers.
The stabilizing force on the other side of the ball is junior quarterback Brad Kaaya, who has thrown for 200 or more yards in 27 of 35 times. A week ago in the triumph at Virginia, Kaaya was complimented by a running game that produced 222 yards on the ground. Tailbacks Mark Walton, Joe Yearby and Gus Edwards are all productive players in Richt's rotation.
After losing four consecutive games at midseason, Miami has seemingly recovered by posting back-to-back wins over Pittsburgh and UVA. The Hurricanes have the fewest turnovers in the ACC with 10, and have turned the football over as many as two times in only one game.
"That's impressive, it really is," Doeren said. "With things the way they are on offense and with how hard kids hit, they're doing a great job coaching ball security. For us, we've been good at getting it back. That's a great match-up. That part of the game is going to be huge."
With a 12:30 p.m. kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage at 10:30 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-Miami game will be available Sunday on the Dave Doeren TV Show. Click HERE for times and stations.
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Players Mentioned
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