Wolfpack Travels to Syracuse for Saturday Tilt

Game Day Central | Thursday Football Notebook | ACC Network Affiliates

Game 10: NC State (4-5, 1-4 ACC) at Syracuse (4-5, 2-3 ACC)
November 12, 2016 • 12:30 p.m. • ACC Network/ACC Network Extra
Syracuse, N.Y. • Carrier Dome (49,262)

TV: ACC Network/ACC Network Extra | Radio: Wolfpack Sports Network, Tunein, Sirius 112, XM 193
Live Stats | Game Notes | @PackFootball Twitter | Ask the Analyst

RALEIGH, N.C. - When the NC State football team visits Syracuse on Saturday, the Wolfpack will no doubt call on some fond memories from its last visit to the Carrier Dome.

A 24-17 victory over the Orange (4-5, 2-3 ACC) in 2014 was ignited by an 82-yard interception return for a touchdown by Pharoah McKever in the third quarter, a play that provided a colossal momentum shift that would ultimately carry the Wolfpack to the ACC road victory.

"My ankle was hurting, so I was looking down at my foot to make sure it was ok, and I looked up and saw Pharoah running down the sideline," said junior defensive end Bradley Chubb. "Our whole bench was going crazy. It was definitely a fun moment and hopefully, a big play like that happens again."

McKever's big-play prowess was again put on display earlier this season when his block of a Notre Dame punt led to the only touchdown in the Pack's 10-3 triumph over the Irish, a game played in drenching rain and blustery wind.

Since then, however, that one timely play the Wolfpack (4-5, 1-4 ACC) has needed to get over the hump has been absent.

In narrow losses to #3 Clemson, Boston College, and #19 Florida State, the Pack has literally been one more positive play away from securing a different outcome in each game. Four of NC State's five losses have been by seven points or less, two have been by four points or less and one (Clemson) went into overtime."

Despite leading much of the game, and dominating most statistical categories a week ago, the Wolfpack still found itself on the short end of a 24-20 score against the Seminoles.

"That's why it's so tough," said NC State guard Tony Adams. "It's been just a couple of plays. We go through each weekend, losing by three or four points. It's just one possession and one play. We've just got to keep moving forward, head to the next week and not look back. We're at Syracuse now and we know we have to execute every single play to the best of our ability."

Competing at a high level has rarely been a problem for the Pack. For eight quarters against both Clemson and Florida State, the Wolfpack proved that it could play on equal footing with two of the nation's elite programs. But until it can finally finish the job and celebrate a victory, NC State won't rid itself of the bitter taste left by so many near misses.

"Our players are going to keep fighting, our coaches and players are tough and resilient, and we will continue to battle," head coach Dave Doeren said. "We're going to do everything we can to get it where we make that final play."

NC State is also going to do everything it can to make tailback Matthew Dayes the eighth different 1,000-yard rusher in school history. Now a senior, Dayes was well on his way to crossing that threshold last year before a toe injury forced him to sit out the last five games. Needing 169 yards to become the Pack's first back to 1,000 yards since T.A. McLendon did it in 2002, Dayes will be facing a Syracuse defense that has allowed just under 200 rushing yards per game, a figure that ranks 13th in the ACC.

"We've made that an emphasis the entire year," Adams said. "We haven't had a 1,000-yard rusher in quite awhile. We've worked on trying to become more dominant and physical at the line of scrimmage. Some games we fell off, but we're really getting back on track right now. We know Matt Dayes can definitely get 169 and we're going to make than an emphasis this week."

After sub-par rushing games in back-to-back games against Louisville and Boston College, the Wolfpack rediscovered the running game in the FSU contest, rushing for 183 yards with Dayes picking up 104 of those yards.

Under first-year head coach Dino Babers, Syracuse plays fast and tries to get in as many snaps as possible. The Orange have run more offensive plays than any team in the ACC, averaging 82 per game. The big question mark for Syracuse this week is the health status of quarterback Eric Dungy, who was sidelined for most of last weekend's game at Clemson after taking a vicious hit. Dungy averages 330 yards of total offense per game, second only to Louisville's Lamar Jackson in the ACC.

With a 12:30 p.m. kickoff, the Wolfpack Sports Network begins its pregame coverage at 10:30 a.m. with the Matthews Motors Countdown to Kickoff. In hour two of the pregame show from the radio booth, former Wolfpack All-American Johnny Evans takes question from fans on 'Ask the Analyst.' Questions about Pack football can be sent to Johnny via Twitter @packradio or by clicking HERE.

A complete recap of the NC State-Syracuse game will be available Sunday on the Dave Doeren TV Show. Click HERE for times and stations.

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Tony Adams

Bradley Chubb

Matthew Dayes

Pharoah McKever

North Carolina State University Athletics