Playoff Football Starts Thursday Night for Wolfpack in Atlanta

Game Day Central | Game Notes

	NC State (4-6, 1-5) at Georgia Tech (2-8, 1-6)
Date	Thursday, Nov. 21
Time	8:00 p.m.
Location	Atlanta, Ga.
Stadium	Bobby Dodd Stadium (55,500)
TV	ESPN
Streaming	WatchESPN
Radio in NC	Wolfpack Sports Network
National Radio	Tunein, Sirius 84, XM 371
Live Stats	RamblinWreck.com
Social Media	Twitter: @PackFootball \| Instagram: PackFootball

RALEIGH, N.C. – It is playoff time for the NC State football team. Entering the final two games of the season, the Wolfpack (4-5, 1-5 ACC) must win each of its remaining two games if it wants to go to a sixth straight bowl game and gain those extra 15 practices.

That quest begins Thursday night in Atlanta, as the Pack will face ACC Coastal Division foe Georgia Tech (2-8, 1-6) for the first time since 2010.

Kickoff from Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium is set for 8 p.m., and the game will be televised nationally on ESPN.

"I think they understand that it's a sudden death mentality if you're thinking bowl season, but we've got to win this one first," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "It's the only one that matters. When you get this one, then you can talk about that.

"I can tell you that the senior class has never finished a season not in a bowl game, so those guys are talking about that. They want that."

This game presents a unique challenge for both squads, as both teams are playing on a short-week after hosting games last weekend.

"It's just really quick," said Doeren. "I think when you're dealing with injuries and health, and also just fatigue, going from a Saturday night game to a road game is really challenging on the staff and the players."

"But, we look forward to that opportunity. It's a great chance to play a nationally televised game on a Thursday night, so we've got to do everything we can to get them back."

Georgia Tech is going through a transformation season. For previous years the Yellow Jackets were solely focused on rushing the ball under former head coach Paul Johnson. In the offseason, Georgia Tech hired Geoff Collins who is widely regarded as one of college football's top young coaches and he won 15 games at Temple in the previous two seasons.

"We're playing a football team that's in its first year with a new staff," said Doeren. "They're playing a lot of young players like we are."

The Yellow Jackets are 2-8 on the season, 1-6 in the ACC. Collins and his staff inherited a run-orientated offense, but are much more balanced this season than in previous seasons.

"Offensively, the quarterback is a really good athlete," said Doeren. "The slot receiver is probably one of the fastest players in the league. I think their tailbacks run really hard; they're physical backs."

On the other side of the ball, Georgia Tech sits in the middle of the ACC in both total defense and scoring defense.

"Defensively, Geoff Collins has a really good history as a defensive coach," said Doeren. "You can see that they do a lot of things with their front to try to disrupt the run game. They bring different pressures and play press coverage on the outside to deny your quick game."

Thursday's game is the second straight at home for Georgia Tech, as they fell to Virginia Tech 45-0 last weekend.

NC State and Georgia Tech have not met since the 2010 season, and NC State has won its last two trips to Atlanta: 45-28 in 2010 and 17-13 in 2005.

The Wolfpack has also won its last five matchups against ACC Coastal Division teams, including its last three on the road – both streaks dating back to 2016.

With an 8:00 p.m. kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network will begin pregame coverage with the Lowes Foods Countdown to Kickoff at 6:00 p.m. In the second hour of the pregame show shortly after 7:00 p.m., longtime network analyst Johnny Evans will take questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Questions can be sent to Johnny on Twitter @packradio or by going HERE.

North Carolina State University Athletics

Playoff Football Starts Thursday Night for Wolfpack in Atlanta

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