NC State Travels To Tallahassee To Take On Florida State
NC State will take on Florida State Saturday when they visit Doak Campbell Stadium. While NC State comes into the game with a win over Furman a week ago Jimbo Fisher's team will look to reassure themselves after their terrible loss to number one Alabama.
Wins in Tallahassee have been few and far between for the Wolfpack over the years, as NC State posts a 4-15 record on the road against the Seminoles. The Wolfpack has lost each of its last five trips to Doak Campbell Stadium, with the last win coming in 2005. That year, NC State defeated the ninth-ranked Seminoles, 20-15 The record is closer in Raleigh, at Carter-Finley Stadium has not always been a friendly place for FSU. In fact, three of the last six times the ‘Noles have come to Raleigh, NC State has won the game. Last season, the Wolfpack dropped a heartbreaker to No. 19 FSU. NC State entered the fourth quarter with a 20-17 lead, but a dropped interception in the end zone gave the ‘Noles another chance to score the winning touchdown with 3:09 remaining in the game. In 2014, NC State came out of the blocks firing, taking a 24-7 lead in the 1st quarter over the top-ranked ‘Noles, but eventually losing 41-56. The Pack, led by quarterback Jacoby Brissett (Indianapolis Colts) scored more points against FSU that year than any team except for Oregon in the national title game (59). In 2012, the Wolfpack defeated the third-ranked Seminoles in a 17-16 thriller behind QB Mike Glennon (Chicago Bears) and in 2010, Russell Wilson (Seattle Seahawks) orchestrated a 28-24 win over the No. 16 visitors from FSU. S. CAROLINA Sept. 2 L, 28-35 Charlotte, NC MARSHALL Sept. 9 W, 37-20 Raleigh, NC FURMAN Sept. 16 W, 49-16 Raleigh, NC FLORIDA ST. Sept. 23 12 pm ABC/ESPN2 Tallahassee, Fla SYRACUSE Sept. 30 TBA Raleigh, NC LOUISVILLE Oct. 5 8 p.m. Raleigh, NC PITT Oct. 14 TBA Pittsburgh, Pa. NOTRE DAME Oct. 28 3:30 p.m. South Bend, Ind CLEMSON Nov. 4 TBA Raleigh, NC BOSTON COLL. Nov. 11 TBA Chestnut Hill, Ma. WAKE FOREST Nov. 18 TBA Winston-Salem UNC Nov. 25 TBA Raleigh, NC 125 YEARS OF PACK FOOTBALL NC State (then known as The North Carolina College of Agriculture & Mechanic Arts), played its first football game against the Raleigh Male Academy on March 12, 1892. The coaches were professors who had to be convinced annually to coach a game they barely knew and the first season was a single game, which A&M won 12-6. From those humble beginnings, NC State has been competing at the highest level of college athletics for more than a century, as a charter member of both the Southern Conference and, later, the Atlantic Coast Conference. DE Bradley Chubb has moved into a tie for seventh in school history in career tackles for loss with 39.5. S "according to http://www.gopack.com/documents/2017/9/19//FSU_Notes.pdf?id=16302
As for NC State's last game, they got in the win column for the second time in 2017 against Furman.
NC State used their rushing attack Saturday to beat Furman at Carter Finley Stadium.
NC State scored a touchdown on four of its five first-half offensive possessions and defeated visiting Furman, 49-16, Saturday afternoon at Carter-Finley Stadium. "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
H-Back Jaylen Samuels finished with three rushing scores, nickel Shawn Boone returned a third-quarter interception 47 yards for a score, and QB Ryan Finley extended his interception-free streak to 192 attempts dating back to last season. "according to
http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
WOLFPACK SPOTLIGHT DRIVE
12 plays, 75 yards in 5:07 – Jaylen Samuels 2-yard TD run "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
After Furman opened the game with a field goal, the Wolfpack responded with a 12-play, 75-yard TD drive on its opening possession. QB Ryan Finley completed 5-of-6 passes for 33 yards, while Nyheim Hines had 30 yards on the ground and Jaylen Samuels had 12, including the 2-yard TD run. "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
STAT LEADERS
• QB Ryan Finley
22-of-27 for 231 yards, 1 TD
• RB Nyheim Hines
11 rushes for 92 yards, 1 TD
• H-Back Jaylen Samuels
5 rushes for 16 yards, 3 TDs
6 catches for 75 yards
• DE Darian Roseboro
9 tackles, 2 TFLs, 0.5 sacks
"according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
NOTABLES
• NC State has now won 10 straight non-conference home games, and 13 of 14 overall under head coach Dave Doeren. "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
NC State has now won 10 straight non-conference home games, and 13 of 14 overall under head coach Dave Doeren. "according to
http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• In all three games this season, NC State has scored on its opening offensive possession – TD vs. South Carolina and Furman and FG vs. Marshall. "according to
http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• Also for the third game this season, NC State scored a TD on its final possession of the first half, all within the final 30 seconds of the half (four seconds left vs. South Carolina, 15 seconds vs. Marshall and 18 vs. Furman). "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• QB Ryan Finley threw 27 passes today without an INT, extending his current streak to 192 attempts since his last INT – last year versus Miami. The streak of 192 currently leads the nation, Oklahoma State's Mason Rudolph threw one today, and Finley's streak is now second all-time at NC State and eighth in ACC history. "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• H-Back Jaylen Samuels scored his first three rushing TDs of the season, now 19 rushing scores for his career. The TDs were the 36th total of his career, now fifth all-time at NC State. His three rushing scores on the day tied his career high (2015 vs. Troy). "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• Also with six catches on the day, Samuels moved into third place in the NC State record books for career receptions, now with 152. "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• WR JuMichael Ramos' first quarter 30-yard TD reception was his first since November 11, 2015 (he sat out last year as a redshirt after knee surgery). "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• RB Nyheim Hines rushed for a career-best 92 yards on 11 carries (8.4 avg.), his previous best was 70 yards vs. both Syracuse and Mississippi State last year. "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
• Cornerbacks Nicholas Lacy, Bryce Banks and Chris Ingram all saw their first action from scrimmage in their Wolfpack careers. "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
FROM THE LOCKER ROOM
"It feels good to get our second-straight home win and get a lot of guys involved in the run game. (Furman' option) is a difficult offense to defend, but proud of our guys not giving up a touchdown in the second half. We scored 49 points and came out healthy, which is huge plus." - NC State head coach Dave Doeren "according to http://gopack.com/news/2017/9/16/football-five-rushing-scores-lead-to-49-16-home-win-over-furman.aspx
Unlike NC State Florida State hasn't played their full schedule due to hurricane Irma coming through that canceled their game against the Lousiana Monroe Warhawks so the Atlantic Coast Conference opener will be just their second game of the season.
As for Florida State's last game, they got beat by Alabama,
In the months leading up to Florida State’s season opener against No. 1 Alabama in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game, Jimbo Fisher insisted that the contest was just one of 12 on the schedule. That, win or lose, the Seminoles’ season wouldn’t be totally defined by one game. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
After a 24-7 defeat in which No. 3 FSU played well in stretches but undermined its cause with a series of special-teams miscues and turnovers, the Seminoles will have a chance to prove their head coach right. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
Just how difficult that task will remain to be seen. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
The Seminoles lost the game, and they also lost starting quarterback Deondre Francois to an apparent left knee injury late in the fourth quarter. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
The redshirt sophomore went to the locker room on a cart while freshman James Blackman finished the game. Fisher didn’t have specifics on Francois’ injury during his postgame press conference, but did say, “Unfortunately, he’s hurt.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“I don’t know (the severity) until we diagnose it and see,” Fisher said. “I’m not a doctor. … I don’t know. I’ve learned to wait until they see.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
If Francois is unavailable, Fisher said Blackman would “most likely” be his replacement. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
The Seminoles, 0-1 for the first time since 2009, host ULM next week at 7 p.m. "according to tohttp://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“I saw (Francois) and I hugged him and told him I’m sorry he’s hurt,” Fisher said. “(I told him) we’ll get the diagnosis and I love him and we’ll figure out what we’ve got to do from here.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“To look on back and see your quarterback on the ground holding his knee, that’s definitely something that’s frightening,” center Alec Eberle added. “But, at the same time, knowing Deondre, knowing he’s a tough guy, knowing he’s a perseverant guy, I think he’s going to be OK.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
While most pundits agreed that a loss to Alabama wouldn’t permanently damage FSU’s College Football Playoff hopes, losing Francois would be a difficult hurdle for the Seminoles to overcome. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
He was expected to be one of the top quarterbacks in the ACC, if not the nation, and he’s by far the most experienced quarterback on FSU’s roster. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
On Saturday, Francois threw for 210 yards and a 3-yard touchdown pass to Auden Tate that gave the Seminoles a 7-3 lead and had the FSU contingent at Mercedes-Benz Stadium feeling good. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
That feeling was short-lived." according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
On Alabama’s ensuing drive, quarterback Jalen Hurts connected with Calvin Ridley for a 53-yard score that put the Tide back on top for good. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
It was the first of 21 unanswered points for Alabama. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“They caught us one time on the safety rotation,” Fisher said. “They got a guy in the middle of the field and made a great play, but other than that our defense did a really nice job.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
Indeed, in Derwin James’ return after nearly a year away, FSU did an admirable job keeping Hurts, Ridley and star running back Bo Scarbrough mostly in check. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
The Crimson Tide finished with just 269 yards of offense and 4.9 yards per play – slightly above FSU’s 250 and 4.2 – and Hurts mustered only 96 yards through the air. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
Photo: Ross Obley "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
FSU, however, did itself no favors by committing a series of special-teams miscues that tilted the field in Alabama’s favor. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
It started with a blocked field goal at the end of the second quarter that robbed FSU of a chance to tie the game at halftime. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
It continued with a blocked punt that led to a field goal. And a fumbled kickoff return that led to a game-breaking touchdown. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
And that’s to say nothing of short returns that led to poor field position. Or a miscommunication that caused Fisher to burn a timeout before a punt return. Or a 15-yard, personal-foul committed after a fair catch. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“Very much,” Fisher said when asked if he was surprised at FSU’s special teams troubles. “Because we work exclusively – and we do over 30, 40, 45 minutes a day on special teams. We work it hard.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
"We've got to show up Monday ready to practice. It's not just a one-game season." — Derwin James
Those self-inflicted wounds were even more painful because, for much of the first half, the Seminoles looked every bit Alabama’s equal. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
And they had two great chances to tie or take the lead near the end of the first half – once when a poor Alabama punt gave FSU the ball at UA’s 31-yard line, and again moments later when the Seminoles’ hurry-up offense drove to the Tide’s 20 with under a minute to go. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
The first drive ended in a punt, and the other in a blocked field goal. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“We played pretty well, but we didn’t finish when we needed to finish,” Eberle said. “We practiced too hard all summer, practiced too hard in camp, did too much to come out here, play a game, move the ball the whole game and then not finish the game. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“That’s what we did. We didn’t finish. Which was unacceptable.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
The final score belied an encouraging effort from Florida State’s defense. The Seminoles sacked Hurts twice, limited him to 3.7 yards on the ground and surrendered only one touchdown drive that started on their own side of the field. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
And Charles Kelly’s unit kept FSU in the game by forcing a field-goal attempt after the Tide blocked a punt and took over at the Seminoles’ 6-yard line. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
It might not have been much consolation after a loss, but it could still be something to build on. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“A couple times, Alabama had a chance to put it away, and we kept them to a two-score game,” Fisher said. “At 21-7, that’s only two plays away. You’re one or two drives (away). We just couldn’t make the plays.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
It took more than two years for the FSU-Alabama matchup to finally arrive, but only a few moments for the Seminoles to turn their attention beyond it." according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
FSU will meet ULM next week, followed by home games against conference foes Miami and North Carolina State. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
As frustrating as this loss might have been – the Seminoles were most bothered by the fact that they didn’t give themselves their best chance to win – there’s little time to let it linger. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
And even less if there’s a new face under center next week. "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
“We’ve got to show up Monday ready to practice,” James said. “It’s not just a one-game season. There are still more games to be played.” "according to http://seminoles.com/1-bama-defeats-noles-24-7/
Kick-off is set for 12:00 pm. The game will be televised on ABC or ESPN2. "according to tohttp://gopack.com/schedule.aspx?path=football