First look: NC State football hosts Clemson for homecoming, ACC contest
N.C. State returns to Carter-Finley Stadium this weekend, hosting Clemson for homecoming. Both teams have failed to meet expectations this season and need a big response.
The Wolfpack comes off its open week and a 24-3 loss to Duke in Week 7. The Tigers lost to Miami, 28-20, on Saturday in double overtime, despite the Hurricanes playing without starting quarterback Tyler Van Dyke.
Clemson leads the all-time series 60-29-1 and won last season’s matchup, 30-20, on its home turf. N.C. State won the last time it welcomed the ACC foe to Raleigh in 2021, picking up a 27-21 double overtime win of its own. That, however, is the Pack’s only win since 2011.
Both teams lost by 21 points to Duke in Durham this season, with the Tigers’ third loss coming to Florida State in overtime.
Many of the struggles come from inconsistency, especially on offense, and needing the defense to make big plays.
Nationally, The Tigers are No. 32 in scoring defense (19.7) and No. 49 in scoring offense (30.4). Their biggest strength so far has been stopping the opponent run game, while capitalizing defensively. Dabo Swinney’s squad has two defensive touchdowns scored, six fumble recoveries and six interceptions.
The Wolfpack is ranked No. 55 nationally in scoring defense (23.6 ppg) and No. 85 in scoring offense (25.4). It, too, has done well stopping the run game, holding opponents to an average of 110.9 yards per game. In a 13-10 loss to Louisville, N.C. State held the Cardinals to just 20 rushing yards. Through the first seven games, the Pack has one defensive touchdown, four fumbles recovered and eight interceptions.
N.C. State has shown positive results in all three phases, but it could use a dominant performance from each one this week. It would go a long way to keep the Pack’s postseason hopes and confidence alive.
Key matchup: State kicker Brayden Narveson vs. Clemson’s rotation
Special teams remains the one group N.C. State can consistently rely on, and a tough outing could be a difference maker this weekend.
If both defenses effectively stop the opposing offense like they’ve done this fall, it wouldn’t be surprising for a field goal to decide the outcome.
In that scenario, the Wolfpack has the clear advantage. Graduate transfer Brayden Narveson is 8-of-10 on field goal attempts, an average distance of 41.1 yards apiece. He’s 21-of-21 on PATs, as well. Narveson set a program record and now leads the ACC with a 57-yard field goal, scoring the team’s only points at Duke.
The Tigers, however, are just 6-of-12 on field goal tries and 27-of-28 on PATs.
Jonathan Weitz is 5-of-8 on field goals for Clemson, averaging 33 yards per make. His longest of the season is just 41 yards. He’s contributed a perfect 11-of-11 on PATs.
Freshman Robert Gunn III made the only other successful field goal – a 23-yard attempt against Charleston Southern – and 14 PATs out of 15 tries.
The Greenville News reported Swinney’s plan was to use Gunn on field goal attempts of 45 yards or more, but Weitz was tabbed for a 51-yard attempt against Wake Forest. He missed wide.
N.C. State’s special teams has an advantage over Clemson in the field position game, as well, coming into the contest with stronger punting and returns. The numbers don’t lie and special teams could have its time to shine.
Vegas betting odds
Sports books installed Clemson as a favorite on Sunday, with opening lines ranging from 9.5 to 11.5 points for the Tigers.
Clemson at NC State game and TV info
Teams: N.C. State Wolfpack (4-3, 1-2 ACC) vs. Clemson (4-3, 2-3 ACC)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, North Carolina
Date: Saturday, Oct. 28
Time: 2 p.m.
TV: The CW
Stream: DIRECTV, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV
This story was originally published October 23, 2023 at 7:00 AM with the headline "First look: NC State football hosts Clemson for homecoming, ACC contest."
