NC State Heads To South Bend To Take On Notre Dame After Their Bye Week
After having a bye last week NC State will be back in action Saturday taking on Notre Dame on the road as they head to South Bend Indiana.
Notre Dame is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference in every sport with the exception coming on the grid iron where they're independent.
Saturday’s game will mark only the third time that NC State and Notre Dame have met on the gridiron and the second regular season meeting between the two teams. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
The teams faced off following the 2002 campaign in the Toyota Gator Bowl, when the Wolfpack cappedoff the winningest season in school history (11-3) witha 28-6 victory over the 11th-ranked Irish. That was the only time NC State has won a game involving two teams that had 10 wins entering the game.Last season’s game was epic in that it was playing as the outer bands of Hurricane Matthew passed through. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
North Carolina. On the day that NC State celebrated the 50th anniversary of the first game in Carter-Finley Stadum, the two teams slugged it out in the driving rain, but a blocked punt return by FS Dexter Wright gave the Pack a 10-3 victory. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
The Irish have never scored a touchdown against the Wolfpack."according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
RANKED:
NC State has moved up to No. 14 in the Associated "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
Press poll this week, No. 15 in the Amway Coaches’ Polls. It’s the highest ranking for the Wolfpack since the 2nd week of the 2003 season, when the Philip Rivers-led NC State squad ranked 14th. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
VS. RANKED
: The Wolfpack has already racked up a pair of wins over ranked teams this season, a 27-21 win at 12th-ranked "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
Florida State and a 39-25 victory over No. 17 Louisville. Thenext two contests will also be against ranked teams: No. 9 Notre Dame and No. 7 Clemson. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
This season marks the first time the Pack has defeated two ranked ACC foes in the same season since 2006, the first time it has beaten two ranked foes since 2010, and they first met it has defeated two ranked teams in the regular season since 2008. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
The Wolfpack last beat three ranked teams in a season in 1992 (No. 15 Iowa, No. 18 Clemson and No. 25 Wake Forest). "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
TOP 15 MATCHUP:
For only the sixth time
in school history, and the first time since the
1992 Gator Bowl, NC State will be in a matchup of two top-15 programs when the Pack travels to Notre Dame.
A top-15 matchup in the regular season has not happened at NC State since the 1980 ACCmatchup with North Carolina. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
HOT START:
NC State’s 6-1 start in 2017 ties as the third-
best for a Wolfpack squad since joining the ACC in 1953. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
The Oct. 14 win over Pitt marked the first time NC State has opened the season 4-0 in ACC play in 15 seasons. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
In 2002, the most successful season in school history,the Wolfpack opened 4-0 in the ACC and went on to 11 victories.
The 2002 campaign was the last time an NC State squad posted a six-game winning streak as well. The Wolfpack started off 9-0 that season."according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
HONORS:
The Wolfpack has been well represented on the midseason All-Americalists. DE Bradley Chubb has been honoredby every outlet that chooses a midseasonteam and was a consensus choice by CBSSports and Sports Illustrated.ESPN named Chubb it’s midseason Defensive Player of the Year. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
H(yrbrid) Jaylen Samuels and Nyheim Hines, who earned mention as an all-purpose player, also earned several nods. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
COACH OF THE YEAR
:NC State head coach Dave Doeren, known as “Coach D” to his players, has been named to the Watch List for the American Heart Association Paul“Bear” Bryant Award and for the Dodd Coach of the Year Award. Doeren, who has led the Wolfpack to six straight wins, a 6-1 record and a No. 16 national ranking, is one of 20 candidates for the honor.Now in its 32nd year, the Bryant award recognizes the country’s top college football coaches for their contributions both on and off the field. The Coach of the Year Award is the only college coaching honor selected after all bowl games are concluded and is voted on by the National Sports Media Association. Finalists will be announced in December. The Dodd Trophy, “college football’s most coveted coaching award,” celebrates the head coach of a team who enjoys success on the gridiron, while also stressing the importanceof scholarship, leadership and integrity – the three pillars of legendary coach Bobby Dodd’s philosophy. "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
BOWLING
:NC State will be headed to a postseason bowl for the fourth straight year. The 2017 senior class will be just the 7th team in school history to play in four straight bowl "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/10/23//NotreDame_Notes.pdf?id=16392
As for NC State's last game, They beat Pittsburgh 35-17 back on October 14th,
A stout third quarter defense and back-to-back touchdown drives in the third and fourth quarters, led #20 NC State to its sixth straight win, 35-17 at Pittsburgh. The Wolfpack (6-1, 4-0 ACC) starts 4-0 in conference action for the first time since the 2002 season, and also reaches bowl eligibility in the fewest games since that same season. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
NC State broke a 14-14 tie with 14 unanswered points spanning the third and fourth quarters. First Jakobi Meyers caught a three-yard Ryan Finley TD pass and Jaylen Samuals rushed in from a yard out on the next possession to build the Pack's lead to 28-14 early in the fourth. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
In the third quarter, NC State limited Pitt to just 47 yards of offense (5 rushing, 41 passing), and caused three three-and-outs on the Panthers' four drives. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
After a Pitt field goal, NC State iced the game with a 40-yard Samuels TD rush with 2:01 left. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
Pitt opened the scoring with a 33-yard TD pass with five minutes to go in the http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=footballfirst quarter, the first time NC State faced a deficit in ACC play this year. "according to
But the Wolfpack answered with back-to-back explosive plays from RB Nyheim Hines First it was a 93-yard TD run to even the score, then on his next touch he returned a punt 92-yards for his second TD and the Pack's first lead 14-7 with less then a minute to go in the opening quarter. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
The two teams went into halftime tied 14-14 as the Panthers tallied the lone points in the second quarter. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE – 1st half
2 plays, 83 yards in 0:28 –Nyheim Hines 83-yard TD run "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
After Pitt went up 7-0, NC State quickly answered to tie the game in the first quarter. After an incompletion, RB Nyehim Hines went up the gut, broke a tackle about 10 yards downfield, and scored an 83-yard TD run. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE – 2nd halfhttp://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
5 plays, 66 yards in 2:00 – Ryan Finley to Jakobi Meyers 3-yard TD pass "according to
With the score deadlocked 14-14 late in the third, NC State went ahead for good with a Ryan Finley to Jakobi Meyers 3-yard TD pass. The Pack covered 66 yards in five plays, highlighted by a Finley to Kelvin Harmon 43-yard pass on the first play. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
STAT LEADERS
• QB Ryan Finley
14-of-25 for 198 yards, 1 TD "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• RB Nyheim Hines http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
249 yards of total offense (135 rushing, 5 receiving, 94 PR, 15 KOR), 2 TDs "according to
• WR Kelvin Harmon http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
3 catches for 113 yards "according to
• H-Back Jaylen Samuals
6 rushes for 62 yards, 2 TDs
4 catches for 28 yards "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• LB Germaine Pratt "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
9 tackles, 1 TFL
• Darian Roseboro
5 tackles, 3 TFLs "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
NOTABLES
• Nyheim Hines 83-yard TD run was the seventh-longest in school history and the longest play from scrimmage of the season for NC State. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• Hines' 92-yard runt return for a TD was the second-longest in school history, and the longest since 1926 (NC State Hall of Famer Jack McDowall). "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• For the third straight game, Hines went over 100 rushing yards. Today he finished with a career-best 135 yards. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• In the first quarter alone, Hines posted 200 yards of total offense (93 rush, 92 PR, 15 KOR). "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• WR Kelvin Harmon went over 100 yards receiving for the fourth time this season (113 yards). He now has the most games with at least 100 yards in a season since Jerricho Cotchery had seven in 2003. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• With a pair of fourth quarter rushing scores, Jaylen Samuals moves into third place in school history with 41 careers TDs (23 rushing, 18 receiving). "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• QB Ryan Finley extends in INT-free streak to 313 attempts, dating back to last year's Miami game. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• Pitt got on the scoreboard first with a first quarter 33-yard TD pass. The Wolfpack had not trailed at any point in its first three ACC games this season, and today was the first time NC State had trailed since the first drive of the Furman game, a span of 15 quarters.
• In his first start of the season, CB Mike Stevens recorded his third career interception, first of the season. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
• The win at Pitt was the first for NC State at Pitt in five all-time attempts, the try was in 1987. The win was also the first matchup as ACC foes between the two teams. "according to http://www.gopack.com/news/2017/10/14/football-explosive-plays-early-strong-third-quarter-lead-pack-to-35-17-win-at-pitt.aspx?path=football
As for Notre Dame's last game, unlike NC State who is coming off a bye Notre Dame was in action last Saturday against University Of Southern California.
The No. 13 Fighting Irish football squad put on a show in front of a sell-out crowd under the lights of Notre Dame Stadium Saturday night, toppling the No. 11 USC Trojans by the score of 49-14. It was only fitting with the 1977 national championship squad in attendance that Notre Dame's 49 points against USC were the most since the 49-19 victory 40 years ago. "according to http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102117aaa.html
The Notre Dame ground attack proved unstoppable tonight, totaling 377 rushing yards, which are believed to be the most for the Irish in a game versus USC since 1950. Josh Adams continued to build his Heisman resume as the junior finished with 191 yards on 19 carries (10.1 avg), including three touchdowns.
Meanwhile, Brandon Wimbush followed suit with 106 yards on 14 carries (7.6) with two rushing touchdowns, marking the fourth time this season Notre Dame had a pair of 100-yard rushers. In addition, Wimbush tacked on 190 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
Furthermore, Notre Dame utilized a dominant first half to build a 28-0 lead, marking the second largest halftime lead in series history with USC. The Irish outgained the Trojans 262-103 in total yards for the half, and stymied the USC running game to negative-four yards.
How It Went Down
The House that Rockne Built was rocking from the get-go when Te'von Coney recorded a sack and fumble recovery just two minutes into the game. The Irish then capitalized on the momentum with a quick three-play strike that ended with a 26-yard pass from Wimbush to Equanimeous Brown. "according to http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102117aaa.html
The Irish kept it rolling on their very next drive, traversing 79 yards in 10 plays, capped by a 23-yard strike from Wimbush to Kevin Stepherson. "according to http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102117aaa.html
Later, at 8:19 in the second quarter, the Irish took advantage of a muffed punt from the Trojans, recovering the fumble at the USC nine-yard line. Three plays later, Adams went three yards into the striped end-zone for the score. "according to http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102117aaa.html
Next, Notre Dame's defense continued to disrupt USC quarterback Sam Darnold, as Nick Watkins garnered an interception at the 7:02 mark, which then set-up a seven-play, 59-yard drive by the Irish that ended with a four-yard touchdown carry from Wimbush. "according to http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102117aaa.html
All-in-all, Notre Dame's defense kept Southern Cal off the scoreboard until the 10-minute mark in the third quarter. Even so, the Irish immediately retaliated on the ensuing drive, as Wimbush equaled the Notre Dame quarterback rushing touchdown mark for a single season with his 10th on the year with a seven-yard carry, extending the lead to 35-7."according to http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102117aaa.html
Lastly, at the 3:26 mark in the third, Adams busted out an impressive 84-yard touchdown run, but wasn't done there, tacking on a 14-yard touchdown carry at the start of the fourth, completing Notre Dame's 49-point tally for the evening. "according to http://www.und.com/sports/m-footbl/recaps/102117aaa.html
Kick-off is set for 3:30pm. The game will be televised on NBC. "according to http://gopack.com/schedule.aspx?path=football