N.C. State football struggled in its first two games, with most of its challenges boiling down to consistency and communication. It hosts Louisiana Tech on Saturday in what the team is hoping will be a get-right or response game.
The Wolfpack enters the game 1-1 after dropping its first game of the season, 51-10, to Tennessee and needing a big fourth quarter to pull off the victory over Western Carolina. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs are 1-0 after having a Week 2 bye and beating Nichols, 25-17, in Week 1.
“Our DNA has always been to continue to fight at this university and overcome things. We’ve got a lot to focus on,” Pack head coach Dave Doeren said Monday. “It starts with a great week of practice meetings, game planning, fundamentals and getting things the way we need to get them before we start conference play. And we do that with Louisiana Tech.”
Louisiana Tech hasn’t won more than three games since 2020 and its last double-digit win season came in 2019, when it finished 10-3. A little more than half of the team’s losses, however, were by one or two possessions.
Doeren and wide receiver Noah Rogers mentioned the Bulldogs’ 3-3-5 defense, which is like N.C. State’s, but it features different alignments and plays more zone. Additionally, Louisiana Tech coach Sonny Cumbie, in his third season, played behind Kliff Kingsbury at Texas Tech and now models the Bulldogs’ offense based on his experience in an air raid system.
Doeren also recognized the team’s ability to run the ball, with running backs able to create space.
Rogers said the older players have preached this week, “GAM: Grown ‘A’ Man,” a nod to the phrase used last season to describe quarterback Brennan Armstrong. The team needs that type of mentality as it faces more opponents and adversity throughout the season.
“We’re not here to be little boys. We want to be grown men out here,” Rogers said. “As long as you preach that in our ears every day, you realize you’re the guy who has to be in a position to lead quicker than you think. … “I’m expecting big things for us, and I know we’re going to silence the haters.”
Here’s what to know ahead of this week’s contest at Carter-Finley Stadium.
Kickoff time + TV channel for NC State’s Week 3 game
The game is set for noon on ACC Network.
Streaming options for Wolfpack, Bulldogs matchup
Fans who don’t have cable or those still impacted by the ongoing dispute between DirecTV and Disney can watch the game on fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and Sling TV. ESPN’s networks are also available on Dish.
NC State vs Louisiana Tech game and TV info
Teams: N.C. State Wolfpack (1-1) vs Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (1-0)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
Date: Saturday, Sept. 14
Time: Noon
TV: ACC Network
Stream: fubo TV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, SlingTV
Betting line: The Wolfpack opened the week as a 19-point favorite. Since Sunday, U.S. sports books now list the team as a 21.5-point favorite.
Series history: N.C. State leads 2-0, including a 34-27 victory in 2021. The first game took place in 2013, and the Pack defeated the Bulldogs, 40-14.
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