North Carolina State University Athletics
Dave Doeren hugs his wife Sara after becoming the all-time wins leader at NC State
A Win for the Record Book
11/5/2023 12:52:00 PM | Football
For the second consecutive Saturday, NC State left the field with a win over programs known as traditional powerhouses in college football. Victories over Clemson and Miami landed head coach Dave Doeren at the top of the list for most wins by a head coach in NC State football history, as he now has 78 wins in his 11 seasons, topping Earle Edwards' mark. Those wins also ensured bowl eligibility for the Pack for the fourth straight season and the ninth time under Doeren.
The hugs after the game were longer and stronger. The smiles were wider as Doeren left the field after the 20-6 win over the Hurricanes. Accomplishments like this happen because of success and longevity and Doeren is quick to share the moment with many.
"It's great to own that record," Doeren said. "Very proud of all of the coaches that have been here with me throughout this and the players that have been here with me throughout this. It's an 11-year thing. It's not me, it's everybody."
After the game, Director of Athletics, Boo Corrigan presented Doeren with a number 78 jersey with his name on the back. The players were well aware of the significance of being involved in a record-setting night. Â
"We love coach Doeren," Payton Wilson said. "He's an amazing coach. He's an amazing players 'coach. We fight for him to the end of the day. Him getting that record, it probably meant more to us than it did to him."
Wilson paced the defense with 16 tackles, three shy of his career high. He also had a pair of quarterback hurries, two pass break ups and a tackle for loss. The ACC may want to consider renaming their weekly linebacker award after Payton Wilson (he had won it four times in eight games prior to the Miami win).
For the second consecutive week, the defense created turnovers with interceptions from Aydan White (in the end zone), Devan Boykin and Brandon Cisse. A bone-jarring hit by Red Hibbler forced a fumble that Davin Vann smothered.Â
The Pack won the turnover battle 4 to 2 which is a vital area of importance. Under Coach Doeren, the Pack is 45-10 when winning the turnover battle and 17-1 since 2020.
Two of the most critical plays happened within minutes of each other around the same area of the field. Sitting on the doorstep of the end zone, Miami went for it on 4th down but the Wolfpack won the majority of the one-on-one battles. Shyheim Battle made the stop that ended the drive and gave the Pack the ball back.
"If everybody has that mentality of 'I want to make every single play,' you can't go wrong," Wilson explained. "Everybody's flying to the ball. Everybody's doing their job and not pressing."
On third and 10, MJ Morris got the needed protection and threw a dart from his own end zone to KC Concepcion for a 16-yard gain. From there Brennan Armstrong bulled his way through the Miami defense on quarterback keepers. He was the Pack's leading rusher with 51 yards on eight carries.
"Super proud and happy for Brennan," Doeren said. "It was great to hear the crowd cheer for him tonight. Our team has been cheering for him. That meant a lot to me and to him."
The drive was capped by a beautiful run from freshman Kendrick Raphael who bounced off of one defender, changed directions and was on his way to a 31-yard touchdown, the first of his career.
There was another first-timer finding the end zone. MJ Morris connected with converted linebacker Jordan Poole in the flats for his first touchdown since he was a high school running back.Â
"It's really a surreal experience," Poole said. "It's been a while. I haven't played offense in four years. I've been playing offense for two weeks. Truly happy I could help the team. Happy the coaches trusted me enough to give me an opportunity."
Trust, faith, loyalty. Some of the words of the week for the Pack program during the season. Words to live by and words that have helped NC State from the bye week through the last two wins.Â
The hugs after the game were longer and stronger. The smiles were wider as Doeren left the field after the 20-6 win over the Hurricanes. Accomplishments like this happen because of success and longevity and Doeren is quick to share the moment with many.
"It's great to own that record," Doeren said. "Very proud of all of the coaches that have been here with me throughout this and the players that have been here with me throughout this. It's an 11-year thing. It's not me, it's everybody."
After the game, Director of Athletics, Boo Corrigan presented Doeren with a number 78 jersey with his name on the back. The players were well aware of the significance of being involved in a record-setting night. Â
"We love coach Doeren," Payton Wilson said. "He's an amazing coach. He's an amazing players 'coach. We fight for him to the end of the day. Him getting that record, it probably meant more to us than it did to him."
Wilson paced the defense with 16 tackles, three shy of his career high. He also had a pair of quarterback hurries, two pass break ups and a tackle for loss. The ACC may want to consider renaming their weekly linebacker award after Payton Wilson (he had won it four times in eight games prior to the Miami win).
For the second consecutive week, the defense created turnovers with interceptions from Aydan White (in the end zone), Devan Boykin and Brandon Cisse. A bone-jarring hit by Red Hibbler forced a fumble that Davin Vann smothered.Â
The Pack won the turnover battle 4 to 2 which is a vital area of importance. Under Coach Doeren, the Pack is 45-10 when winning the turnover battle and 17-1 since 2020.
Two of the most critical plays happened within minutes of each other around the same area of the field. Sitting on the doorstep of the end zone, Miami went for it on 4th down but the Wolfpack won the majority of the one-on-one battles. Shyheim Battle made the stop that ended the drive and gave the Pack the ball back.
"If everybody has that mentality of 'I want to make every single play,' you can't go wrong," Wilson explained. "Everybody's flying to the ball. Everybody's doing their job and not pressing."
On third and 10, MJ Morris got the needed protection and threw a dart from his own end zone to KC Concepcion for a 16-yard gain. From there Brennan Armstrong bulled his way through the Miami defense on quarterback keepers. He was the Pack's leading rusher with 51 yards on eight carries.
"Super proud and happy for Brennan," Doeren said. "It was great to hear the crowd cheer for him tonight. Our team has been cheering for him. That meant a lot to me and to him."
The drive was capped by a beautiful run from freshman Kendrick Raphael who bounced off of one defender, changed directions and was on his way to a 31-yard touchdown, the first of his career.
There was another first-timer finding the end zone. MJ Morris connected with converted linebacker Jordan Poole in the flats for his first touchdown since he was a high school running back.Â
"It's really a surreal experience," Poole said. "It's been a while. I haven't played offense in four years. I've been playing offense for two weeks. Truly happy I could help the team. Happy the coaches trusted me enough to give me an opportunity."
Trust, faith, loyalty. Some of the words of the week for the Pack program during the season. Words to live by and words that have helped NC State from the bye week through the last two wins.Â
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