Saturday, October 27
Syracuse, N.Y.
7 p.m.
NC State
at
Syracuse
Another Atlantic Division Road Test Awaits #22 Wolfpack
10/26/2018 8:48:00 AM | Football
Game Day Central | Game Notes | Thursday Football Notebook
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It will likely take that and more to knock off a highly motivated Syracuse team (5-2, 2-2) that needs one win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2013.
Kickoff from the Carrier Dome is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised by ESPN2.
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"When you play anyone in the ACC, I don't care who it is, you've got to be on point," said State coach Dave Doeren. "You can't turn the football over when you're driving, and you can't have guys drop passes that they usually catch. It's just basic stuff. It's what you have to do and it's what we've done. I told the guys that you're a really good football team when you just do your job. We've got to get back to that."
Over the first five games, for the most part, NC State had been a team that took care of the football, converted a high percentage of third downs, got clutch, difficult catches from its receivers and limited big plays on defense.
All of those qualities, however, disappeared in last week's 41-7 loss at then-#3 Clemson. The Tigers don't need any help, but got plenty as the Wolfpack turned the ball over three times and converted just 2-of-12 of its third down plays. Entering the game, the Wolfpack owned a nation's best 61 percent conversion rate on third down.
For the first time all season, NC State is currently on the minus side of turnover margin (-1) after coughing up seven miscues over its last two games. Valuing the football will be critical on Saturday given Syracuse's proclivity to take the ball away.
"They're plus-8 in turnover margin at Syracuse, which is very impressive," Doeren said. "They have 17 takeaways, which leads out conference. They've got an experienced group."
On offense, the Orange is known for its rapid-fire tempo, a style that is producing an average of 43 points and 94 offensive snaps per game. The Wolfpack will likely see two quarterbacks on Saturday, with veteran Eric Dungey and redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito both figuring to get playing time. When prompted by the media to name a starter earlier in the week, coach Dino Babers was non-committal on his choice.
"It's a family thing," said Babers. "We're going to handle it and go about our business. We're 1-0 in the second part of our season and we're trying really hard to be 2-0."
They're 1-0 in the second half thanks to a double-overtime victory over North Carolina last week (40-37), a game in which DeVito came off the bench to rescue the Orange with 181 passing yards and three touchdowns. Syracuse is coming off back-to-back games that went to overtime.
Although the Wolfpack has experienced recent success against the Orange, winning the last four in the series and being 10-1 overall against the Orange, the Pack knows Babers is in the midst of taking Syracuse to greater heights in this his third season on the job.
"You can't take them lightly," said NC State safety Jarius Morehead. "Right now, they're a legitimate ACC contender."
When fans are interested, the Carrier Dome can be a difficult venue for visiting teams. Currently 4-0 at home this season, the Orange is trying to post five wins at the dome for the first time since 2003.
"We've played well in the dome," Doeren said. "Obviously, this is a different team so that doesn't mean anything. I think our preparation will be good, we've just got to go make the plays."
Under Doeren, the Wolfpack is 2-0 at the Carrier Dome.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins pregame coverage Saturday with the Lowe's Foods Countdown to Kickoff at 5 p.m. Shorty after 6 p.m., veteran color analyst Johnny Evans will take questions about Wolfpack football on 'Ask the Analyst.' Send Johnny a question on Twitter@pack radio or by clicking HERE.
NC State's weekly TV show, 'One with Wolfpack Football,' will air on Sunday night. For a list of times and stations, clicking HERE.
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| #22 NC State (5-1, 2-1) at Syracuse (5-2, 2-2) | |
| Date | Saturday, Oct. 27 |
| Time | 7 p.m. |
| Location | Syracuse, N.Y. |
| Stadium | Carrier Dome (49,262) |
| TV | ESPN |
| Streaming | WatchESPN |
| Radio in NC | Wolfpack Sports Network |
| National Radio | Tunein, Sirius 113, XM 194 |
| Live Stats | Cuse.com |
| Social Media | @PackFootball, PackFootball |
It will likely take that and more to knock off a highly motivated Syracuse team (5-2, 2-2) that needs one win to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2013.
Kickoff from the Carrier Dome is set for 7 p.m., and the game will be televised by ESPN2.
Â
"When you play anyone in the ACC, I don't care who it is, you've got to be on point," said State coach Dave Doeren. "You can't turn the football over when you're driving, and you can't have guys drop passes that they usually catch. It's just basic stuff. It's what you have to do and it's what we've done. I told the guys that you're a really good football team when you just do your job. We've got to get back to that."
Over the first five games, for the most part, NC State had been a team that took care of the football, converted a high percentage of third downs, got clutch, difficult catches from its receivers and limited big plays on defense.
All of those qualities, however, disappeared in last week's 41-7 loss at then-#3 Clemson. The Tigers don't need any help, but got plenty as the Wolfpack turned the ball over three times and converted just 2-of-12 of its third down plays. Entering the game, the Wolfpack owned a nation's best 61 percent conversion rate on third down.
For the first time all season, NC State is currently on the minus side of turnover margin (-1) after coughing up seven miscues over its last two games. Valuing the football will be critical on Saturday given Syracuse's proclivity to take the ball away.
"They're plus-8 in turnover margin at Syracuse, which is very impressive," Doeren said. "They have 17 takeaways, which leads out conference. They've got an experienced group."
On offense, the Orange is known for its rapid-fire tempo, a style that is producing an average of 43 points and 94 offensive snaps per game. The Wolfpack will likely see two quarterbacks on Saturday, with veteran Eric Dungey and redshirt freshman Tommy DeVito both figuring to get playing time. When prompted by the media to name a starter earlier in the week, coach Dino Babers was non-committal on his choice.
"It's a family thing," said Babers. "We're going to handle it and go about our business. We're 1-0 in the second part of our season and we're trying really hard to be 2-0."
They're 1-0 in the second half thanks to a double-overtime victory over North Carolina last week (40-37), a game in which DeVito came off the bench to rescue the Orange with 181 passing yards and three touchdowns. Syracuse is coming off back-to-back games that went to overtime.
Although the Wolfpack has experienced recent success against the Orange, winning the last four in the series and being 10-1 overall against the Orange, the Pack knows Babers is in the midst of taking Syracuse to greater heights in this his third season on the job.
"You can't take them lightly," said NC State safety Jarius Morehead. "Right now, they're a legitimate ACC contender."
When fans are interested, the Carrier Dome can be a difficult venue for visiting teams. Currently 4-0 at home this season, the Orange is trying to post five wins at the dome for the first time since 2003.
"We've played well in the dome," Doeren said. "Obviously, this is a different team so that doesn't mean anything. I think our preparation will be good, we've just got to go make the plays."
Under Doeren, the Wolfpack is 2-0 at the Carrier Dome.
The Wolfpack Sports Network begins pregame coverage Saturday with the Lowe's Foods Countdown to Kickoff at 5 p.m. Shorty after 6 p.m., veteran color analyst Johnny Evans will take questions about Wolfpack football on 'Ask the Analyst.' Send Johnny a question on Twitter@pack radio or by clicking HERE.
NC State's weekly TV show, 'One with Wolfpack Football,' will air on Sunday night. For a list of times and stations, clicking HERE.
Players Mentioned
SAF
/ FootballCoach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 22)
Monday, September 22
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 15)
Monday, September 15
Coach Doeren Weekly Press Conference (Sept. 8)
Monday, September 08
FB Players Postgame Presser vs Virginia
Saturday, September 06