Wolfpack Opens 2021 Season Thursday Night Hosting USF

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	NC State (0-0) vs. USF (0-0)
Date	Thursday, Sept. 2
Time	7:30 p.m.
Location	Raleigh, N.C.
Stadium	Carter-Finley Stadium
TV	ACC Network
Streaming	WatchESPN
Radio in NC	Wolfpack Sports Network
National Radio	Sirius 133, XM 193
Live Stats	GoPack.com
Social Media	Twitter: @PackFootball \| Instagram: PackFootball

RALEIGH, N.C. – Football is back! Just as important, the fans are back!!!

It is sure to be an electric atmosphere Thursday inside Carter-Finley Stadium as the Wolfpack opens its 2021 campaign hosting USF.

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

"It's been a long time since we've played, so excited to have the fans back and things somewhat back to normal from a game to atmosphere standpoint," said NC State head coach Dave Doeren.

"But more than anything, just excited to get the season started with this staff and group of players. We get to work with some fantastic young people. It's a team that has grown together over time and definitely understands commitment and what it's like."

NC State is coming off a 2020 season that saw the Pack go 8-4 and record a school record seven ACC wins. From that squad, 20 starters return (including 10 on defense), and every statistical leader (on a per game basis) returns for 2021.

"It's time to test our mettle and see where we're at and what we need to work on, what we've grown, and where we've grown," said Doeren. "When it comes to our roster, I really like the competition we've had."

The Wolfpack and the USF Bulls have only met three times on the gridiron, with the Wolfpack currently holding a 2-1 advantage in the all-time series. The squads have not met since 2014, a 49-17 Wolfpack win in Tampa in Doeren's second season.

"It's the first opportunity and test of the season and we're excited, excited to play a very athletic South Florida team, an experienced team," said Doeren. "They had a new coach last year who were very familiar with when he spent all his years at Clemson. He did a great job there as an offensive coordinator, and they're in year two with him.

"They've got a lot of players back, but they also have a lot of transfers that they've brought in. I know he'll have his team ready."

Thursday night games at Carter-Finley Stadium have brought a different level of excitement over recent years. The Pack are 3-2 at Carter-Finley Stadium playing on a Thursday night, winning three of the last four such contests.

"As far as game day, having a night game at Carter-Finley, very excited for our team for our fans to be back together at home on a Thursday night," said Doeren. "Our Thursday nights have been electric and expect it to be.

"We need it rowdy and I hope (the fans are) ready to do that."

While Doeren and the Pack are excited to get back to a normal start to the season, the goal remains the same for a successful 2021 campaign.

"We're all about winning the day, and it's cliche I guess to stock days now, but that's really the focus of this group and trying to be the best version of ourselves as men each and every day as students, as athletes," said Doeren.

North Carolina State University Athletics

Wolfpack Opens 2021 Season Thursday Night Hosting USF

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