Pack Hosts Florida State Saturday Night

GameDay Central | Game Notes | Game Program

	NC State (4-3) vs. Florida State (2-5)
Date	Saturday, Nov. 14
Time	7:30 p.m.
Location	Raleigh, N.C.
Stadium	Carter-Finley Stadium
TV	ACC Netowrk
Streaming	WatchESPN
Radio in NC	Wolfpack Sports Network
National Radio	Tunein, Sirius 133, XM 193
Live Stats	GoPack.com
Social Media	Twitter: @PackFootball \| Instagram: PackFootball

RALEIGH, N.C. – After playing six straight ACC Coastal Division opponents, the Pack will get back to one of its traditional, yearly rivalries with an Atlantic Division opponent for the first time since the season opener, as Florida State comes to Carter-Finley Stadium this weekend.

The game will kick off at 7:30 p.m., and will be televised on the ACC Network.

NC State will be looking to snap a two-game skid, having lost back-to-back top-15 matchups with #14 UNC and #11 Miami.

The contest against the Hurricanes came down to the wire, as Miami got the winning touchdown with just three minutes left inside Carter-Finley Stadium.

"Anytime you lose a game that goes down to the wire, it's obviously going to be a heartbreaking loss," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren. "It was an emotional loss. However, I was very encouraged and proud of the way our guys prepared, fought and improved from how we played two weeks prior against UNC to how we played that night."

As in many close losses, there were ups and downs for NC State.

The Pack offense scored points on six of its first seven drives, but was limited to just a field goal on the very first play of the fourth quarter down the stretch.

The defense held Miami three times when they go deep inside Wolfpack territory, but the defense also allowed three touchdowns of over 20 yards.

"I think there's a lot of positives from that game that we can carry forward, there's opportunities to get better, and I'm encouraged by how we responded from our last loss," said Doeren. "I know that we'll get the same type of resolve from these young guys."

Coming off a career-best 248 yards passing and a pair of TD throws against Miami last weekend, not to mention a 31-yard TD reception himself, Pack starting quarterback Bailey Hockman will be playing against the team he originally started his college career at in Florida State.

Hockman signed with the Seminoles as a member of their 2017 class, and redshirted that first season. After going through spring practice in 2018, he decided to transfer and found his way to NC State in December of that season.

"It should be a lot of fun to see those guys, play against them," said Hockman. "We've just got to kind of keep the momentum going from last week. I've played this game before. I played in it last year."

In last year's contest in Tallahassee, Hockman came off the bench and had his most productive game of the season as he threw for a season-best 208 yards and a TD.

Now starting his fifth game in 2020, Bailey will look upon his experiences and his improved play this season to lead the Pack on Saturday.

"Bailey did a nice job preparing and looking at the different things that could happen (vs. Miami)," said Doeren. "I just thought he was quick with his reactions. He didn't sit there and wait, (he) made quick decisions, he gave his receivers a chance to throw, he used his feet a couple times to extend drives on some scrambles, which he can do.

"I think just having the success and seeing his guys make those plays for him is just going to lead to more success for him."

Hockman's former team, Florida State, comes into Carter-Finley Stadium with a 2-5 record on the season, 1-5 in ACC action. Although they are coming off back-to-back losses against Louisville (48-16) and Pitt (41-17), the Seminoles scored a top-five win over #5 North Carolina in mid-October (31-28).

"Now we get ready for a very athletic Florida State team and a quarterback that's very dynamic," said Doeren. "He has really changed their offense. We play Florida State every year. We know what kind of talent they have."

"They're a good football team, an athletic football team and a team that obviously has a new staff and has played really well."

NC State has won two of the last three meetings with Florida State, including the last contest held at Carter-Finley Stadium (47-28 in 2018).

"We've got four games left and an opportunity to really have a great close to our season," said Doeren. "We got to play, as well as we can play to win."

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Players Mentioned

Bailey Hockman