The Wolfpack were impressive in their season opening win against ECU. Quarterback Matt McKay went 25-37 for 308 yards and a touchdown, a combined rushing effort led to nearly 200 yards on the ground and the defense held the Pirates without a touchdown. But despite the decisive win, Coach Doeren will look to clean up the mental mistakes in this week’s matchup against Western Carolina.
“There was a punt that we should’ve blocked. There’s a multitude of plays on both sides of the ball where you’ve got a guy eyeing this instead of this and some protection things in the run game. Matt missed an easy read on a third down. There are just a ton of little things throughout the game. Some didn’t hurt us, but some could’ve been first downs or big plays.”
N.C. State will get a chance to hone in on the details against a Catamount teams that has never defeated the Wolfpack.
“We’re competing to be a better version of us than we were a week ago.”
Game Notes:
- NC State has played Western Carolina six times – with all six games taking place in Carter-Finley Stadium.
- Four of the six contests have been season openers for the Wolf- pack.
- The last time the Wolfpack and the Catamounts met on the gridiron was in the 2010 season opener. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw four TD passes in the contest, including a pair tospeedy receiver T.J. Graham. The Pack’s leading rusher was converted safety Dean Haynes – who had just moved to offense the previous week. The RS-sophomore rushed for 69 yards and scored a TD
- NC State leads series 6-0
- Last Meeting: NCSU 48, WCU 7 (9/4/2010)
How to Watch:
- When: Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET
- Where: Carter-Finley Stadium
- TV: RSN
- Radio: WRAL 101.5 FM