NC State Hosts Syracuse in Home ACC Clash

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	NC State (3-1, 1-0) vs. Syracuse (2-2, 0-0)
Date	Saturday, Sept. 30
Time	12:20 p.m.
Location	Raleigh, N.C.
Stadium	Carter-Finley Stadium
Directions	Waze Driving Directions
TV	ACC Network
Streaming	ACC Network Extra
Radio in NC	Wolfpack Sports Network
National Radio	Tunein, Sirius 108, XM 194
Live Stats	GoPack.com
Social Media	@PackFootball, PackFootball

RALEIGH, N.C. - After disposing of one ACC Atlantic Division foe a week ago to start conference action, NC State (3-1, 1-0 ACC) will meet another divisional opponent on Saturday when it hosts Syracuse (2-2, 0-0) at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Kickoff time is set for 12:20 p.m., and the game will be televised on the ACC Network.

To say that last weekend's 27-21 road win over #12 Florida State was satisfying for the Wolfpack would be an understatement. But lingering satisfaction is often a dangerous enemy, especially for teams that have championship aspirations. All the praise and back-slapping that NC State's players experienced this week on campus and in the media will quickly disappear if the Pack can't build on one of its most momentous triumphs in years.

"As seniors we know that when you a get full week's worth of praise you've got to block it out and move on to the next opponent," said defensive end Bradley Chubb. "This team has been through so much heartbreak that we can't dwell on one game whether it's good or it's bad. We try to move on to our next opponent and try not to think about what happened last week."

After playing against Syracuse last year, Chubb, the reigning ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week after recording two sacks and three tackles for loss in Tallahassee, knows that this week's challenge could be quite significant. Engineered by dual-threat quarterback Eric Dungey, the Orange play at a breakneck pace not seen anywhere else in the ACC. Syracuse's rapid-fire up-tempo offense strains preparation during the week and often makes it difficult to get defensive calls in the game in a timely fashion.

"Early in the game last year, just two plays in I was breathing heavy and saying 'oh my goodness,'" Chubb said. "Once you settle down and know what you're doing, it's not so bad. Last year was the first time we'd seen anything that fast, so we have a lot of guys who experienced it last year. I believe we'll be ready for it."

Through four games, the Orange have averaged 35 points and 87 offensive snaps per game. In a competitive 35-26 loss at #25 LSU last week, Dungey was 32-of-52 through the air for 265 yards, one touchdown and one interception. The junior also leads the Orange in rushing on the season.

"We're playing an excellent offense with a very good quarterback," NC State head coach Dave Doeren said. "Eric Dungey is a remarkable player. He's a tough guy and I respect him a lot. You watch him play and he doesn't play afraid at all. He's got five rushing touchdowns and six touchdowns passing."

Dungey's top target is Steve Ishmael, who averages 11.38 catches per game, a figure that ranks number one in the nation.

At Florida State, the NC State offense stayed on the field and dominated time of possession in the second half. A similar recipe could be a big part of the winning formula this week as the Wolfpack tries to limit Syracuse's offensive opportunities.

"I believe in our defense to get stops," said NC State H-back Jaylen Samuels. "[Syracuse] goes fast and that's what our defense has been practicing against all week. I've got all the belief that our defense will go out there and stop them so we can go back on the field and try to score every possession."

When it comes to scoring, Samuels happens to be an expert on the subject. With four touchdowns in as many games this season, the incomparable senior continues his ascent up the NC State record book. Currently with 38 career touchdowns, Samuels is just two shy of tying Matt Dayes for third place on the school's career list. He's now just five shy of equaling Stan Fritts, who currently holds down the 2nd spot.

Meanwhile, NC State quarterback Ryan Finley has now thrown 224 consecutive passes without an interception, the longest such streak in the nation. Finley has been stellar thus far, completing 74.2 percent of his passes for 1,217 yards and eight touchdowns.

The Wolfpack has dominated the series, winning nine of the 10 games played between the two schools. Syracuse picked up its only win in 2013.

NC State will also be trying to record it 200th all-time victory at Carter-Finley Stadium, which officially opened in October of 1966.

Prior to the NC State-Syracuse matchup, the Wolfpack Sports Network will begin pregame coverage with the Matthews Motors Pregame Show starting at 10 a.m. In the second hour of the pregame, network analyst Johnny Evans will answer questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Questions to Johnny can be submitted via Twitter @packradio or by click HERE.

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Players Mentioned

Bradley Chubb

Ryan Finley

Jaylen Samuels