It almost happened…but almost doesn’t count. What does count is the 21-20 road win for the NC State Wolfpack over East Carolina last Saturday in Greenville.
It came down to a final field goal attempt by the Pirates for the win that sailed wide – ending all hopes for NC State “stuff” to make its normal appearance. The Wolfpack escaped with the win and looked forward to their home opener Saturday against FCS Charleston Southern. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 PM inside Carter-Finley Stadium.
Even with the victory, NC State (1-0) dropped five spots to 18th in this week’s AP and USA Today polls.
NC State’s defense lead the way in week one – coming away with multiple turnovers and the Wolfpack debuted their new “Turnover Bone.” The offense was a little slow to open the season. Devin Leary finished with just 211 yards on 17-33 passing. A bright spot on the offense was the emergence of running back Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, who finished with 79 yards and one touchdown.
Charleston Southern (0-1) heads to Raleigh after falling to West Carolina 52-38. The Bucs allowed a whopping 616 total yards, including 433 through the air which should sit well with a Wolfpack offense that couldn’t quite get going last week.
Game Notes
- NC State enters the home opener with a 10-game winning streak
at Carter-Finley Stadium. That’s the fifth-best active home winning streak in the FBS and ties as the second-longest in the history of Carter-Finley Stadium
- NC State posted a 7-0 mark in games played in Carter-Finley in 2021 and has not lost a home game since Nov. 6, 2020.
- NC State has won all nine of its home openers under head coach Dave Doeren.
- For the first time in the past 19 home games, NC State will host a midday (noon or 12:30 p.m.) kickoff at Carter-Finley Stadium
- The ECU win marked the first time that Demie Sumo-Karngbaye – known to his teammates as “Sharko” – carried the ball for the Wolfpack. Sharko played in six games last season as a true freshman, only on special teams.
Prediction
This game will get ugly…..quickly. NC State 56 – CSU – 3