First Road Test Awaits Pack in Starkville

GameDay Central | Game Notes | Game Program

	NC State (1-0) at Mississippi St. (1-0)
Date	Saturday, Sept. 11
Time	7 p.m. (ET)
Location	Starkville, Miss.
Stadium	Davis Wade Stadium (61,337)
TV	ESPN2
Streaming	WatchESPN
Radio in NC	Wolfpack Sports Network
National Radio	Sirius 134, XM 384
Live Stats	HailState.com
Social Media	Twitter: @PackFootball \| Instagram: PackFootball

RALEIGH, N.C. – After playing in front of a capacity crowd in the friendly confines of Carter-Finley Stadium to open the 2021 season, the NC State football team will have a different crowd this weekend - a full capacity SEC stadium when the Pack travels to Mississippi State.

The game will kick at 7 p.m. (ET), and will be televised on ESPN2.

"First time in a while that we'll be preparing for crowd noise," said head coach Dave Doeren. "And the cowbell will be in full effect, I know. And we look forward to that. We look forward of the pageantry and the noise and fanfare and everything that goes into it, it's going to be awesome.

"I'm excited to go play against a team like them from the SEC, and to get to do it in their stadium with the fan base that they'll have."

Last season was unlike any other in regard to seating capacities at visiting stadiums. Of the Pack's five road contests last year, only one had a crowd over 1,000 people (UNC – 3,535).

Last week, the Pack passed its first team will a full stadium, defeating USF inside Carter-Finley Stadium, 45-0.

The Wolfpack's season-opening shutout of USF marked the first time NC State had held an FBS opponent scoreless since 2011 (UNC). USF passed for just 167 yards, and NC State recorded three interceptions.

"Felt like we were physical. I thought we played fast. I thought our guys executed the game plan in many ways," said Doeren.

"Defensively we get the shut out. Three takeaways, two of them were in the red zone, and I thought we played the ball well in the defense back area, better than I've seen us play it as we're attacking the football, breaking on balls. Didn't give up an explosive play for a touchdown. obviously, with the shutout."

For NC State to get the road win this weekend, they will need just as an impressive team effort, maybe more so on defense.

Mississippi State led the nation last season with 50.6 passing attempts per game, and in their season opening win over Louisiana Tech, they had 47 passes compared to 19 runs.

"There's really good understanding of spacing and timing in their offense and doing things after the catch with it," said Doeren. "You have to be able to tackle in space, and I think their screen game is really underrated.

"I think their perimeter screens is no different than us running a stretch play. They get the ball out quick, so you can't get to the quarterback, and then there's lead blockers for a wide out."

The Pack's secondary is a veteran group, as the top four cornerbacks in the rotation have combined to play 99 career collegiate games. The Pack also returns both starting safeties and added depth with Florida State transfer Cyrus Fagan who will rotate in.

The Pack and Bulldogs will be meeting for only the seventh time, the series is currently tied 3-3. The two squads last met in the 2015 Belk Bowl, a 51-28 Mississippi State win, and the lone time the teams have met in Starkville the Pack pulled out a 6-0 road win in 1931.

NC State is also entering new territory playing on the road at an SEC school for the first time since 2008 (a 34-0 loss at South Carolina in QB Russell Wilson's first start). The last time the Pack won a road SEC contest, back in 1977 against Auburn.

"I have great respect for Mississippi State's program," said Doeren. "I have for a long time. They're a blue collar, tough group. Very similar: passionate, tough. I like what they're about. I've always respected how they play."

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Cyrus Fagan