In what could be a magical season for the 13th-ranked NC State football team, they first have to get past the usual “stuff that has haunted the program.” First up, a season opener on the road at in-state foe East Carolina Saturday afternoon.
Recently, road openers haven’t been too kind to NC State. Just last season, the Wolfpack dropped their first away game to Mississippi State 24-10. But season openers have been on the better end with the Wolfpack blasting USF last September, 45-0.
Many think things will be different this year as NC State returns a slew of experience on both sides of the ball. ACC preseason player of the year, Devin Leary, returns as a possible dark-horse Heisman favorite along with receivers Thayer Thomas and Devin Carter. The Wolfpack will be looking to replace leading rushers Bam Knight and Ricky Person Jr, but will pass the duties along to junior Jordan Houston.
The defense returns just as much, and possibly more, experience than the offense with multiple starters who missed time due to injury set to return, including linebackers Isaiah Moore and Peyton Wilson. Drake Thomas rounds out what could be the best linebacking core in the ACC. Also back is special teams record-holding kicker Christopher Dunn.
The Pirates are a program that turned the corner during the 2021-22 season, finishing 7-5 overall while seeing their bowl season end in the same disappointing fashion as the Wolfpack. Known for his turnaround ability, ECU head coach Mike Houston has finally put his touch on the program and has hopes high for the Pirate faithful.
Game Notes
- NC State has played East Carolina, a team located just 83 miles down highway 264, 31 times in a series that dates back to 1970.
- The Wolfpack has won the last two meetings, which both took place in Carter-Finley Stadium – outscoring the Pirates 92-9.
- The Wolfpack’s 58-3 win in 2018 was the largest margin of victory for either team in the series and the largest in a game for the Pack since a 65-7 win over Murray State in 2009.
- NC State is 1-4 all-time in games in Greenville. The lone Wolfpack win at ECU in the series was 34-20 in 2007.
- Dave Doeren is 2-2 all-time vs. ECU, but has won each of the last two as the Pack outscored the Pirates 92-9 in those contests.
- ECU handed the Wolfpack its only home non-conference loss in the Dave Doeren era – 42-28 – in Raleigh on Nov. 23, 2013.
Prediction
NC State 31 – ECU 20. Expect the Wolfpack to pull away late from the Pirates in a game that might be closer than many expect.