Wolfpack Hosts Catamounts in Non-Conference Slate

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	NC State (1-0) vs. Western Carolina (0-1)
Date	Saturday, Sept. 7
Time	12:30 p.m.
Location	Raleigh, N.C.
Stadium	Carter-Finley-Stadium \| A to Z Stadium Guide
TV	RSN
Streaming	WatchESPN
Radio in NC	Wolfpack Sports Network
National Radio	Tunein, Sirius 106, XM 202
Live Stats	GoPack.com
Social Media	Twitter: @PackFootball \| Instagram: PackFootball

RALEIGH, N.C. - All in all, the 2019 NC State football team made a successful debut when it posted a one-sided 34-6 victory over East Carolina last weekend in Carter-Finley Stadium.

But according to coach Dave Doeren and his players, there's plenty of room for improvement. An opportunity to make more strides will be available on Saturday when Western Carolina visits Raleigh.

Game time is set for 12:30 p.m., and the game will be televised on RSN.

"I think we did alright, but I think we can do a lot better," said offensive tackle Emanuel McGirt, Jr. "Honestly, we have a lot of weapons on the offensive side of the ball and I don't think we've given a glimpse of what we can do. There's more in our tank."

Spoken like a player who listened intently as the coaching staff pointed out numerous errors during Sunday's game review of last weekend's triumph over the Pirates.

In mounting 505 yards of total offense, including 191 yards on the ground, NC State achieved its goal of winning the line of scrimmage. In his debut as the Wolfpack's starting quarterback, Matthew McKay passed for 308 yards without an interception, yet the feedback provided by the game tape left the redshirt sophomore longing for more.

"Oh yeah, a lot of things," McKay said. "It was frustrating to watch. We call it tough Sundays when you get in there and learn and just try to improve as the weeks go on."

Perhaps the only other major blemish emerging from the season-opening win was a year-ending knee injury suffered by veteran wide receiver C.J. Riley. A reliable redshirt junior, Riley's absence will create a void that must now be filled by some younger pass-catchers who'll be asked to grow up quickly.

Junior Emeka Emezie, who led the Pack with seven grabs in the opener, knows there will be even more pressure on him to provide leadership in the wake of Riley's injury. It was two years ago that Emezie worked himself into the receiver rotation as a true freshman, so he fully understands the challenges that younger players must cope with.

"Everyone must improve their work ethic because they don't know what it takes to be an ACC starter," Emezie said. "They see what I do, but they've got to copy that now. They've got to do what I'm doing and try to do more."

Opportunity now knocks for redshirt freshmen Devin Carter and Jasiah Provillon, true freshman Keyon Lesane and redshirt sophomore Max Fisher.

It would appear that the 6-4, 212-pound Carter is particularly equipped to answer the challenge.

"Devin Carter is a guy who needs to step-up for us and seize this opportunity," NC State head coach Dave Doeren said. "He's been in that room with those guys and understands by watching last year's crew and now what's expected. He has really good ability and size. I'm really excited for Devin because this is what we recruited him to be is the next big receiver here and he has all those tools."

Western Carolina's season got off to a rocky start in a 49-27 home loss to Mercer last weekend. On the positive side, Catamount fans were able to cheer the efforts of quarterback Tyrie Adams, who became the school's all-time leader in total offense and passing yards. The redshirt senior orchestrates a tricky offensive scheme that takes advantage of his skills running the triple-option and run-pass options.

"Getting into that second game gives a lot of guys visuals of what they have to do better," Doeren said. "Our goal is to be better in week two than we were in week one. I think it's really important in this game that we really look at ourselves."

NC State owns a 6-0 advantage in the series with Western Carolina. In the last meeting back in 2010, the Wolfpack prevailed 48-7 thanks in part to four touchdown passes thrown by Russell Wilson.

The Wolfpack Sports Network begins pregame coverage Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m. with the Lowe's Foods Countdown to Kickoff. In hour two of the pregame show, Network analyst Johnny Evans will take questions from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.'

Send Johnny a question through Twitter @packradio or by email here.

Wolfpack Hosts Catamounts in Non-Conference Slate

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Devin Carter

Emeka Emezie

Max Fisher

Keyon Lesane

Emanuel McGirt, Jr.

Matthew McKay

Jasiah Provillon

C.J. Riley

Wolfpack Hosts Catamounts in Non-Conference Slate

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Devin Carter

Emeka Emezie

Max Fisher

Keyon Lesane

Emanuel McGirt, Jr.

Matthew McKay

Jasiah Provillon

C.J. Riley

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