NC State Football Must Overcome Noon Kickoff Woes, Pronto
Ever since getting knocked down a peg in a 51-10 primetime loss to Tennessee in Charlotte, Dave Doeren's NC State football squad (2-2, 0-1 ACC) has stumbled early in noon bouts against Louisiana Tech at home and Clemson on the road.
The Wolfpack climbed back from a 17-6 halftime deficit in Carter-Finley Stadium to defeat the Bulldogs, 30-20. But Doeren's bunch stood no chance of bouncing back from a 28-0 first quarter meltdown at the hands of the Tigers in the eventual 59-35 Week 4 defeat.
RELATED: NC State Gets Steamrolled in First Quarter at Clemson
Now, NC State is gearing up for a home clash against formerly ranked Northern Illinois (2-1, 0-1 MAC) at noon ET Saturday (The CW).
And on Monday afternoon, the program's social media team officially announced that the Pack and Wake Forest (1-2, 0-1 ACC) will square off in Raleigh at noon on Oct. 5 (The CW).
The duel with the Demon Deacons is set.
— NC State Football (@PackFootball) September 23, 2024
🆚: Wake Forest
📅: Oct. 5
⏰: 12 pm
📺: @TheCW #1Pack1Goal pic.twitter.com/RB4BWOkzNx
Dating back to the start of The CW's ACC football broadcasting debut last season, NC State is 4-0 in contests aired on the network.
NC State began the 2024 season at No. 24 overall in the Associated Press Top 25 Poll. Should the Wolfpack lose either of the upcoming noon matchups — not to mention the potential for a fifth straight noon kickoff when Syracuse comes to Carter-Finley Stadium on Oct. 12 — a ranking by the team's name would begin to appear completely out of reach.
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MATT GILES
Matt Giles is the editor and publisher of NC State Wolfpack on SI, Duke Blue Devils on SI, and North Carolina Tar Heels on SI, making him a key source for comprehensive coverage of these storied college basketball programs. Since joining NC State Wolfpack on SI in 2024, Matt has been dedicated to providing in-depth analysis, breaking news, and exclusive content on all three teams. He covers everything from game previews and recaps to player profiles and recruiting updates. Matt's expert knowledge of these teams has made his work a go-to resource for fans and followers of Duke, NC State, and UNC. As publisher, he shapes the editorial direction, ensuring that the most relevant and timely information reaches his audience.