Saturday night’s ACC Network game from Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh will be the 113th meeting between the NC State Wolfpack and the North Carolina Tar Heels. The Tar Heels, recovering from a loss at Clemson, are preparing to face their rivals in the final game of the 2023 regular season. The Tar Heels’ offense, which averages 38.1 points per game, is the 12th highest nationally, and they’ve been successful on third downs, converting 49.7% of them. Quarterback Drake Maye and running back Omarion Hampton have been key players, with Maye throwing at least one touchdown pass in 10 of the 11 games this season and Hampton rushing for 100 yards in six consecutive games.

On the other side, the Wolfpack have been formidable opponents under the guidance of head coach Dave Doeren, the winningest coach in school history with 80 wins at NC State. They are one of only four teams in the Power 5 that have won eight or more games in each of the last four seasons. Their defense, which leads the ACC in total defense and scoring defense vs. league opponents, has been particularly impressive. In the last nine games, the Wolfpack defense has allowed just 88.5 rushing yards per game. During that span, three opponents have rushed for less than 100 yards. This game promises to be a thrilling end to the regular season, with both teams bringing their A-game to the field for bragging rights and a claim to best FBS team in the state.

NCAA Division II Playoffs (Round 2)

Lenoir-Rhyne vs Benedict: The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears are set to face the Benedict Tigers in the NCAA Division II playoffs this Saturday. The Bears have had a strong season, with an 11-1 record and an average of 40.17 points per game. Their rushing game is led by Dwayne McGee, who has gained 1213 yards with an average of 110.27 yards per game. In the passing game, Jalen Ferguson has completed 111 out of 154 attempts, throwing for 1468 yards and 16 touchdowns. The receiving corps is led by DeAree Rogers, who has made 43 catches for 621 yards and 6 touchdowns. On defense, Jon Ross Maye leads the team with 86 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. The Bears' defense has been particularly effective, with 35 sacks and 13 interceptions this season. The team's overall performance has been impressive, with an average of 443.7 yards per game. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bears looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Tigers.

NCAA FCS Playoffs (Round )

Gardner-Webb vs. Mercer: This Saturday, the Gardner-Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, under the guidance of Head Coach Tre Lamb, a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Award, will face off against the Mercer Bears in the NCAA FCS playoffs. The Bulldogs have had a strong season, with back-to-back conference championships for the first time since 2002 and 2003, and an undefeated home record. Their offense, led by Lamb, has been aggressive, averaging 34.7 points per game in conference games and converting 24 of their 37 fourth-down attempts. On the defensive end, Ty French has set a new school record for career sacks with 30.5 and has been named a finalist for the Buck Buchanan Award. Running back Narii Gaither has also made history, becoming just the second player in program history to rush for at least 3,000 yards. The Bulldogs have a record of 9-36 against FCS teams ranked inside the national polls, but they defeated #13/14 UT Martin earlier this season. Freshman quarterback Jaylen King, a finalist for the Jerry Rice Award, has gone 5-1 in his first six career starts, including leading the Bulldogs to a 38-34 upset victory over #13/14 UT Martin. This game promises to be a thrilling encounter, with the Bulldogs looking to leverage their strong performance this season against the formidable Bears.

North Carolina Central vs. Richmond: This Saturday at 3pm, the NCAA FCS playoff game between North Carolina Central and Richmond is set to be a thrilling showdown. NCCU, with a record of 9-2 overall and 4-1 in conference play, has been a force to reckon with this season. They have outscored their opponents 403 to 296, averaging 36.64 points per game. Their rushing attack, led by Latrell Collier with 684 yards and 8 touchdowns, and Davius Richard with 579 yards and 15 touchdowns, has been particularly potent. Richard has also been impressive in the passing game, completing 60.98% of his passes for 1915 yards and 20 touchdowns. On the receiving end, Devin Smith and Joaquin Davis have been key contributors, with 505 and 404 receiving yards respectively. On the defensive side, Jayden Flaker leads the team with 74 total tackles and 4.5 sacks. With a rare appearance in the FCS playoffs, NCCU is poised to give a tough fight to the University of Richmond.

Honoring NCCFB Legend Armanti Edwards 

App State vs. Georgia Southern: App State will host Georgia Southern at Kidd Brewer Stadium in Boone in a game that will be broadcast on ESPNU Saturday afternoon at 3:30. App State leads the series 21-16-1 overall and 14-5-1 in Boone. Leading the Mountaineers’ offense is quarterback Joey Aguilar with 2,975 passing yards and 29 touchdowns, receiver Kaedin Robinson with 45 catches for 609 yards and 8 touchdowns, and running back Nate Noel with 787 rushing yards and 5 touchdowns. Andrew Parker Jr. paces the App State defense with 98 tackles. The game will be a significant event, as it's not only the regular-season finale but also Senior Day, and the retirement of QB Armanti Edwards’ No. 14 jersey will take place at halftime. App State is also vying for a Sun Belt Championship Game berth. The team needs to beat Georgia Southern and have JMU win at Coastal Carolina to advance to face West champ Troy on Dec. 2.

In a highly anticipated college football matchup, the Appalachian State Mountaineers, riding a triumphant three-game winning streak, are set to face the undefeated James Madison Dukes. This clash is not just another game; it's a chance for App State to make a statement on the grand stage of ESPN's College GameDay, featuring the Mountaineers for the second consecutive season. After last year’s broadcast, Boone erupted as the Mountaineers defeated Troy on a last-minute Hail Mary, but the euphoria was short-lived as JMU handed App State a 32-28 defeat the following week. Memories of that loss linger as the Mountaineers aim to rewrite history on the turf of Bridgeforth Stadium. The Mountaineers have historically been a thorn in the side of AP Top 25 teams with seven of the Mountaineers’ last eight games against ranked teams ending in one-score games. App State is 2-2 in their last four games against the AP Top 25

Quarterback Joey Aguilar, thrust into the spotlight after replacing the injured Ryan Burger, has been a revelation. With 26 touchdown passes in 10 games, Aguilar ranks among the best in the Sun Belt and the Group of Five. His ability to lead the offense will be crucial against a formidable JMU defense. Running back Nate Noel, despite battling an injury, achieved a milestone by surpassing 3,000 career rushing yards. His explosive plays, exemplified by a 61-yard touchdown run against Georgia State, make him a key offensive weapon for the Mountaineers. Defensively, App State has shown resilience, limiting opponents in recent victories over Marshall and Georgia State. The Mountaineers aim to build on this momentum, ensuring that their 2023 losses, all decided in the closing seconds, become a thing of the past.

Campbell vs. North Carolina A&T: As the 2023 college football season reaches its conclusion, the Campbell Fighting Camels (4-6, 3-4 CAA) gear up for their final showdown against North Carolina A&T (1-9, 0-7 CAA) at Truist Stadium in Greensboro, N.C., with kickoff slated for 1:00 p.m. As Campbell concludes its inaugural CAA season, the team finds itself on the brink of making history. With a chance to secure a fourth victory in conference play, the Fighting Camels aim to join the ranks of Old Dominion, the only other program to achieve this feat in their first CAA season back in 2011. The team's current 3-4 record in the conference is a testament to their competitive spirit. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, a standout performer, enters the final game of his Fighting Camel career as the program's all-time leader in passing yards, passing touchdowns, and completions. Williams, completing 71% of his passes, has orchestrated the offense with 243.4 passing yards per game and 17 touchdowns. His connection with a diverse group of 17 receivers has been a key feature of the Campbell offensive arsenal. North Carolina A&T, also in its inaugural CAA season, enters the finale on a six-game losing streak. Despite a challenging season, the Aggies showcase talent in running back Kenji Christian, who leads the team with 709 rushing yards and six touchdowns, and linebacker BJ Turner, who boasts 85 tackles, including 12 for loss.

NC State vs Virginia Tech: The upcoming clash between the NC State Wolfpack and the Virginia Tech Hokies, marking the 52nd meeting in a historic rivalry dating back 123 years, is steeped in tradition and significance. With only seven matchups since Virginia Tech joined the ACC in 2004, the Wolfpack aims to build on their recent victory. Notable connections, including current Wolfpack assistant coaches Brian Mitchell and Charley Wiles with extensive tenures at Virginia Tech, add intrigue. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong, familiar with the Hokies from his time at Virginia, brings a dynamic element to the contest. Defensive strength, highlighted by Virginia Tech's Sacksburg reputation and NC State's resilience, sets the stage for an intense battle. As both teams vie for supremacy in the ACC, this matchup promises gridiron excitement and the continuation of a college football saga.

WINSTON-SALEM – In a showdown between ACC rivals, the North Carolina State Wolfpack asserted their dominance over the Wake Forest Demon Deacons in a resounding victory, triumphing 26-6 in a game that showcased their offensive prowess and defensive resilience.

How it Happened

In the first quarter, quarterback Brennan Armstrong connected with J. Gray for a 20-yard touchdown pass, setting the tone for their offensive prowess. The Wolfpack continued their scoring spree in the second quarter, with Armstrong rushing for a 1-yard touchdown and Delbert Mimms III adding another 1-yard rushing touchdown. The fourth quarter saw the Wolfpack extending their lead with a 45-yard field goal by Narveson. The Demon Deacons managed to score a touchdown late in the fourth quarter with Michael Kern throwing a 19-yard pass to Deuce Alexander. Interestingly, the Wolfpack's Jaylon Scott intercepted the Demon Deacons' two-point attempt and raced 100 yards for the defensive PAT, setting the final score at 26-6 in favor of the Wolfpack.

Offensive Showdown

The Wolfpack’s quarterback, Brennan Armstrong, had a solid performance, completing 12 of 17 passes for 111 yards and one touchdown. Armstrong also showcased his versatility on the ground, rushing for 96 yards and one touchdown on 15 attempts. Armstrong’s rushing efforts were complemented by a well-distributed ground attack featuring KC Concepcion (86 yards), Kendrick Raphael (54 yards), and Delbert Mimms III (35 yards, one touchdown). The team’s rushing unit totaled an impressive 268 yards on 50 attempts, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. In the receiving department, Julian Gray hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass, contributing to a receiving corps that accumulated 111 yards overall. Armstrong distributed the ball effectively, with Keyon Lesane leading the receiving chart with four receptions for 27 yards.

Demon Deacons Struggle to Find Momentum

On the other side of the field, the Wake Forest Demon Deacons faced a tough challenge against the stout Wolfpack defense. Quarterback Michael Kern threw for 156 yards, completing 14 of 26 attempts, and connected with Deuce Alexander for a 19-yard touchdown pass. However, the Demon Deacons were unable to establish a consistent ground game, managing only seven rushing yards on 18 attempts.

Defensive Standouts

The defensive battle was equally intense, with both teams making notable plays. For the Wolfpack, linebacker Jaylon Scott and linebacker Payton Wilson stood out, combining for 15 tackles, two sacks, and two tackles for loss. Safety Sean Brown made a crucial interception, adding to a formidable defensive effort that held the Demon Deacons to just one touchdown. Wake Forest’s defense, led by linebacker Dylan Hazen and defensive back Chelen Garnes, showed resilience despite the challenging circumstances. Hazen recorded 14 tackles, while Garnes contributed with a sack and a tackle for loss.

Key Stats and Analysis

The game statistics reflected the Wolfpack’s dominance, as they outgained the Demon Deacons in total yards (379-163), passing yards (111-156), and rushing yards (268-7). The Wolfpack converted 5 of 14 third downs, while the Demon Deacons struggled, managing only 1 of 12.

The Takeaway

With this convincing win, the NC State Wolfpack (7-3, 4-2) improved their record and solidified their position in the competitive ACC. The team showcased a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense, signaling their readiness for future challenges in the conference. The Demon Deacons (4-6, 1-6), on the other hand, will need to regroup and address their offensive struggles as they look to bounce back in the remaining games of the season, needing to win both games to become bowl eligible.

In what promises to be an electrifying clash, Duke and North Carolina are set to renew their age-old rivalry in the 110th meeting, with the iconic Victory Bell hanging in the balance. The game, scheduled for Saturday at 8 p.m., will be broadcast live on ACC Network, amplifying the excitement for fans eagerly anticipating this gridiron showdown. The Tar Heels hold the historical edge in the series at 64-41-4, but recent encounters between the two teams have been nothing short of nail-biting. In the last meeting on October 15, 2022, fans witnessed a thrilling spectacle as Duke and North Carolina combined for a staggering 1,078 yards and seven lead changes. The Tar Heels ultimately secured a dramatic 38-35 victory with a go-ahead touchdown just 16 seconds before the final whistle, leaving Blue Devils fans stunned. Duke’s last triumph over North Carolina dates back to November 10, 2018, a memorable day when quarterback Daniel Jones set school records en route to a 42-35 victory. The Battle for the Victory Bell traces its roots back to 1948 when North Carolina claimed possession following a 20-0 win. The concept was born from the minds of the head cheerleaders from Duke and North Carolina, Loring Jones and Norman Sper, respectively. With Jones designing the model and Sper acquiring a bell from an old railroad train, Red Lewis, Duke’s business manager, found the funds to bring the idea to life.

Duke heads into this clash as the underdog, facing its fifth nationally-ranked opponent this season. The Blue Devils are 1-3 against Top-25 foes, with all three losses coming in hard-fought battles. However, they boast a potent offense, ranking sixth in the ACC with an average of 5.84 yards per play. The team’s resilience is evident, being one of only three schools nationally with all three losses against Top-25 opponents. Leading Duke’s defensive charge is redshirt sophomore linebacker Tre Freeman, who sits sixth in the ACC with 71 tackles this season. Freeman has been a force in recent games, compiling impressive statistics over the last five outings. Senior defensive end Ryan Smith, fresh off ACC Player of the Week honors, adds depth to the Blue Devils’ defensive prowess. On the flip side, North Carolina enters the contest with momentum, having secured a victory against Campbell after two midseason losses. The Tar Heels, under the leadership of Mack Brown, have dominated recent matchups, winning the last four encounters with Duke. They’ve been formidable as a ranked team, boasting a 57-24 record under Brown. Running back Hampton has been a standout for the Tar Heels, rushing for 100 yards in four consecutive games. Last week, he reached the 1,000-yard mark in just nine games, a feat not achieved since Giovani Bernard in 2012. The Tar Heels have been prolific in the red zone, scoring 37 times in 42 drives this season.

NC State vs. Wake Forest: In a clash that transcends time, NC State and Wake Forest are set to renew their historic rivalry in the 117th meeting between the two squads, making it the longest-continuous rivalry in the ACC and the second-longest in the FBS. With NC State holding a 68-42-6 advantage in their 132 years of football history, this matchup is steeped in tradition and carries significant weight for both teams. Wolfpack head coach Dave Doeren, now the winningest coach in school history, leads a formidable squad into this contest. Linebacker Payton Wilson, a force on the field, leads the ACC in tackles and has been named the Butkus National LB of the Month. True freshman receiver KC Concepcion, a standout rookie, has made history by becoming the first true freshman in school history to achieve two 100+ yard games in a season and record six touchdown receptions. With a strong defense ranking in the top 20 nationally in multiple categories, the Wolfpack aims to extend its impressive record in Carter-Finley Stadium, having won 20 of the last 23 games at home. This matchup promises not only a battle for supremacy on the field but also a continuation of a rivalry that has withstood the test of time, dating back to the teams’ first encounter in 1895 when NC State was known as The North Carolina College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. The Wolfpack and the Demon Deacons are set to create yet another chapter in the storied history of the ACC’s longest-continuous rivalry.

Delaware vs. Campbell: In a thrilling culmination of their 2023 home campaign, Campbell University’s Fighting Camels (4-5, 3-3 CAA) are gearing up to face the formidable No. 8 Delaware Blue Hens (7-2, 5-1 CAA) on Saturday, November 11, at Barker-Lane Stadium. As the season nears its end, the Fighting Camels will honor Military Appreciation Day and Senior Day, recognizing 25 seniors before their last home game. Despite a challenging matchup against FBS North Carolina last week, Campbell boasts the 25th-ranked scoring offense in FCS, averaging 31.2 points per game. Quarterback Hajj-Malik Williams, with a remarkable 73.4 percent completion rate, leads a dynamic offense that includes standout receivers Jalen Kelsey and VJ Wilkins. On the defensive front, CJ Tillman and Monchovia Gaffney spearhead the efforts with 82 and 58 tackles, respectively. Facing the Blue Hens for the first time, Campbell anticipates a fierce battle against a Delaware team coming off their lone CAA loss. Delaware’s quarterback Ryan O’Connor and rusher Marcus Yarns pose significant threats, setting the stage for an intense clash that will undoubtedly shape the trajectory of both teams’ seasons. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m., promising an exciting spectacle for fans at Barker-Lane Stadium.

RALEIGH – The NC State Wolfpack delivered an electrifying performance at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, securing a 24-17 victory over the Clemson Tigers in a game that had the Wolfpack faithful in a frenzy of excitement when the final horn sounded. With this win, head coach Dave Doeren celebrated his 100th career victory and tied the program record for most wins with 77, alongside Earle Edwards, who set the mark in 1970.

Freshman sensation KC Concepcion stole the show, notching two crucial touchdowns and showcasing his incredible versatility. Concepcion hauled in a 72-yard touchdown pass from quarterback MJ Morris, capping off a remarkable catch-and-run in the third quarter. His performance didn't stop there, as he also led the team in rushing, accumulating 51 yards on the ground.

The game began with a nine-yard touchdown connection between Morris and Concepcion, giving NC State an early 7-0 lead. The Wolfpack extended their lead with a 41-yard field goal from Brayden Narveson after an impressive 55-yard drive. Clemson managed to narrow the gap with a one-yard rushing touchdown from Phil Mafah, bringing the score to 10-7 in favor of NC State.

Just before halftime, Clemson had an opportunity to level the score with a field goal, but an NC State timeout disrupted their plans, keeping the score at 10-7. The Wolfpack defense stepped up in a big way, with Payton Wilson making a spectacular 15-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving NC State a 17-7 lead.

NC State's offensive momentum continued, with Morris and Concepcion connecting once again for a 72-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to its largest margin of the day. While Clemson managed to put together 10 consecutive points, it wasn't enough to overcome the Wolfpack's lead.

The Wolfpack defense played a pivotal role in this victory, forcing two turnovers, securing two sacks, and making nine tackles for a loss. Linebacker Sean Brown led the defensive effort with 11 tackles, and Jaylon Scott was right behind with 10 tackles.

The victory marks the second straight time NC State has defeated Clemson at home, and the first time since 2011 that the Tigers have lost back-to-back games. The Wolfpack now stands at 5-3 (2-2 ACC), moving within one game of securing a bowl berth.

Up next, NC State will face Miami in another crucial ACC matchup at Carter-Finley on Saturday, November 4, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m., broadcast on the ACC Network. The Wolfpack faithful have every reason to be excited about their team's resurgence after this impressive win over Clemson.

DURHAM – The No. 17 Duke Blue Devils (5-1, 2-0) delivered an impressive performance at Brooks Field at Wallace Wade Stadium on Saturday night, sealing a commanding 24-3 victory over the NC State Wolfpack (4-3, 1-2). Duke's defense shone brightly, allowing just three points, marking the fewest points scored by NC State since 2014. This ACC clash was characterized by explosive plays, defensive prowess, and a young quarterback's promising debut.

The game began with NC State taking an early lead, as Brayden Narveson drilled a career-long 57-yard field goal on the Wolfpack's opening possession. This kick set a new program record for the longest field goal, surpassing Damon Hartman's 56-yard mark from 1990.

Duke quickly responded with a two-play, 90-yard drive that saw redshirt freshman Henry Belin IV connect with redshirt senior Jalon Calhoun for a stunning 69-yard touchdown reception. This play gave the Blue Devils a lead they wouldn't relinquish, making it 7-3 with 6:26 left in the first quarter.

Before heading into halftime, Duke extended their lead to 17-3 with a career-long 52-yard field goal from Todd Pelino and an eight-yard touchdown reception by Jeremiah Hasley, his first career score. The defensive dominance displayed by the Blue Devils was evident, limiting the Wolfpack to just a single field goal.

In the second half, graduate Jordan Waters made a significant impact by rumbling for an impressive 83-yard touchdown run, securing the win for Duke with a final score of 24-3. This run tied for the third-longest touchdown in program history.

The standout performance was not limited to the offense. The Blue Devil defense recorded a season-high four sacks and eight tackles for loss, holding NC State to its fewest points scored in an ACC game since 2008.

Redshirt sophomore linebacker Tre Freeman was a force to be reckoned with, tallying a career-high 15 tackles and claiming his first career interception. The last Duke player to record 15 or more tackles in a game was Shaka Heyward in 2021.

With this victory, Duke maintained their unblemished record in ACC play, setting up an exciting matchup against unbeaten and No. 4 ranked Florida State on October 21. The Seminoles are coming off a dominant 41-3 win over Syracuse, promising another thrilling showdown in the weeks to come.

RALEIGH – NC State's Christopher Dunn was named the winner of the 2022 Lou Groza Place-Kicker Award on Thursday night during The Home Depot College Football Awards show on ESPN.

Dunn, a former All-Gridiron player who set new ACC records in points scored (479) and field goals (93) in 2022, leads the ACC and ranks second nationally in field goal percentage (.960). He also tops the league in kick scoring and field goals and tied for the national lead in field goals per game.

The Lexington native becomes the third national award winner under NC State football head coach Dave Doeren, joining Bradley Chubb (Nagurski & Hendricks Award, 2017) and Garrett Bradbury (Rimington Trophy, 2018). He is the second Groza Award winner in NC State football history joining Marc Primanti (1996).

"I'm so proud of Chris for all of his accomplishments and am so happy that he was recognized nationally with the Groza Award," Doeren said. "Nobody has worked harder than he has.

"He's overcome a lot of obstacles – on and off the field – but his dedication, persistence, and faith have helped him become the remarkable person and kicker that he is today. I can't wait to see what the future holds for him."

Dunn was also named a CBS Sports and The Athletic All-American earlier on Thursday. He's the first NC State kicker to earn All-America accolades in 26 years, as Primanti earned the honor the same year he won the Groza, 1996.

In 2022, Dunn twice earned ACC Specialist of the Week honors and Lou Groza Star of the Week accolades. He claimed both honors in the same week after he tied a career-high with four made field goals in NC State's 19-17 win over Florida State, scoring 13 of the Pack's 19 points. He also tied a career-long with a 53-yarder in the victory over the Seminoles.

Of Dunn's 24 makes on the season, 10 of them came from 40 yards or longer. He went a perfect 7-for-7 from 20-29 yards, 7-for-7 from 30-39 yards, and 2-for-2 on kicks over 50 yards. He also went 8-for-9 from 40-49 yards, missing just one kick the entire season – in the regular season finalé. He is a perfect 200-for-200 on PAT attempts in his Wolfpack career.

In 1992, the Palm Beach County Sports Commission established the Lou Groza Collegiate Place-Kicker Award to honor the nation's top collegiate place-kicker. The winner is determined by a voting panel of Division I head coaches, sportswriters, sportscasters, conference representatives, professional kickers, and previous winners.

The award is named in honor of Lou Groza, a nine-time all-pro and winner of eight championships, four in the AAFC and four in the NFL. Groza, one of the greatest kickers in football history, was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1974.

The 2022 college football regular season and conference championships have come to a close. Five NCCFB FBS teams have qualified for postseason bowls. The Duke's Mayo Bowl returns to Charlotte in 2022 and will feature teams from the Atlantic Coast Conference and Big Ten Conference.

Duke Blue Devils

Record: 8-4 (5-3 ACC)

Location: Navy-Marine Corps Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)

Opponent:

Time: 2:00 PM

Tickets: http://militarybowl.org/tickets/

East Carolina Pirates

Record: 7-5 (4-4 AAC)

Location: Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)

Opponent:

Coastal Carolina (9-3, 6-2 SBC)

Date: December 27, 2022

Time: 6:45 PM

Tickets: https://ticketsmarterbirminghambowl.com/tickets/

NC State Wolfpack

Record: 8-4 (4-4 ACC)

Location: Bank of America Stadium (Charlotte, North Carolina)

Opponent:

Maryland (7-5, 4-5 B1G)

Date: December 30, 2022

Time: 12:00 PM

Tickets: https://charlottesports.org/events/tickets/

North Carolina Tar Heels

Record: 9-4 (6-2 ACC, Coastal Division Champs)

Opponent:

Oregon (9-3, 7-2 PAC 12)

Date: December 28, 2022

Time: 8:00 PM

Tickets: https://www.ticketmaster.com/event/0A005D37CA7F5243

Wake Forest Demon Deacons

Record: 7-5 (3-5 ACC)

Opponent:

Missouri (6-6, 3-5 SEC)

Date: Friday, December 23

Time: 6:30 PM

Tickets: https://www.gasparillabowl.com/tickets/

Duke's Mayo Bowl

Teams: North Carolina State Wolfpack vs. Maryland Terrapins

Date: December 30, 2022

Time: 12:00

Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.

Tickets: https://charlottesports.org/events/tickets/

RALEIGH – A top 25 matchup of two in-state schools does not
happen that often in the state of North Carolina. Wake Forest and NC State,
both with high hopes opening the season, were looking to finish the last
quarter of the regular season strong and a win in this game would put either
team in prime position for a high-profile bowl later on. In the end, it was NC
State, behind a three-touchdown effort by freshman quarterback MJ Morris, who
emerged victorious, 30-21 over the Demon Deacons.

After forcing a quick punt to open the game, Wake Forest
looked like they were in business to grab the momentum early on. That hope was
short-lived as Jakeen Harris picked off a Wake Forest pass and returned it
across midfield, but the Wolfpack were only able to turn it into a Christopher
Dunn field goal, the only scoring over the first nineteen minutes of the game.
The second quarter showed off both teams’ offenses with each team scoring twice
before the half. Christian Turner’s rushing score was answered by MJ Morris
finding Keyon Lesane. Sam Hartman’s scoring toss to Taylor Morin was answered
by Morris hitting Darryl Jones in the end zone. The two connected for another
score in the third quarter. Another Dunn field goal saw the Wolfpack heading
into the final quarter with a 27-14 lead.

Wake Forest wasn’t done, though, driving ninety-nine yards
on a drive halfway through the fourth quarter and making it a one-score game
after Sam Hartman’s twenty-nine-yard pass to AT Perry. NC State wasn’t going to
be denied, and Christopher Dunn’s third field goal of the night put the game
out of reach.

Defensively, Aydan White and Jakeen Harris tallied second-half interceptions for the Wolfpack. Isaiah Moore and Drake Thomas were
monsters roaming the field for NC State, combining for eighteen tackles,
including five for a loss, and three sacks. The Wake Forest defense was paced
by Ryan Smenda, Jr., who tallied sixteen tackles on the evening.

Next Week

NC State (7-2) is back at Carter-Finley Stadium hosting
Boston College at 3:30 pm while Wake Forest (6-3) plays another in-state rival,
North Carolina, at 7:30 at Truist Field in Winston-Salem.

GREENVILLE – The thirteenth-ranked NC State Wolfpack survived on Saturday
afternoon after a failed comeback attempt by the host East Carolina Pirates. A
record crowd of 51,711 at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium watched the Wolfpack power out
to a 21-7 halftime lead before the Pirates scored thirteen unanswered points in
the second half to come up just short.

After an ECU third-quarter touchdown made it a one-score
game, a goal-line stand by the Pirates defense gave the home fans hope for the
comeback. Seven minutes later, the Pirates offense, led by signal caller Holton
Ahlers, found the end zone in hopes of tying the game up, but the PAT was wide
and the Wolfpack was clinging to a one-point lead. The Pirates defense stepped
up again, forcing a punt, and the ECU offense got in NC State territory with
just a few seconds left but the potential game-winning field goal was wide and
the Wolfpack escaped with the one-point win.

Coaches Corner

NC State Head Coach Dave Doeren

"First, give East Carolina a lot of credit. We were up
21-7 and their kids fought. The most disappointing part for us is not scoring
at the goal line and the other opportunities that we didn't come up with
points. There's a lot to look at on film. It always starts with the schemes
that we're running, seeing how we're coaching things, looking at guys that are
running the plays and where we can get better and we will get a lot better. The
one thing I can't do is change our record tomorrow. We're 1-0 and we're
excited. The last time I was here, we lost 33-30 so it feels good to leave with
a win. You've got to give Coach Houston and his staff at ECU a lot of credit.
They did a great job today."

East Carolina Head Coach Mike Houston

"There's not a whole lot to say. Kids fought their
tails off. They inspire me with the way they play. Our preparation coming into
this game, we were very confident this morning. I know nobody outside of
Greenville gave us much of a chance, but those kids never doubted. We should
have won the ballgame. We outplayed them. We dominated them physically in the
second half. I just hurt for those kids in that locker room right now. They've
brought this program from the depths back to what it was today. That stadium
today was incredible. Our fan base is incredible, and we all deserve to have a
win today. I'm just sorry we're not sitting here celebrating one."

Notable North Carolinians

Thayer Thomas (Heritage) – the graduate wide receiver had
four catches for fifty-eight yards and a touchdown

Jaylon Scott (Shelby) – the junior linebacker had eight
tackles, including five solo stops

Holton Ahlers (Conley) – the senior quarterback completed 24
of 40 attempts for 255 yards with two touchdowns

Next Week

NC State (1-0) hosts Charleston Southern in their home debut
at Carter-Finley Stadium while East Carolina (0-1) hosts Old Dominion (1-0), who
is fresh off a Power 5 upset of Virginia Tech.

The Maxwell Award watchlist was released on Monday. Of the eighty-five players who made the watch list, nine currently play college football in the state of North Carolina.

The Maxwell Award, founded in 1937, is named after Robert “Tiny” Maxwell, a Swarthmore College football player, coach, and sportswriter. The Maxwell Football Club was founded in 1935 by his friend, Bert Bell, to present awards in his name to promote football safety.

Brad Roberts, Air Force

Bryce Young, Alabama

Will Anderson, Alabama

Nate Noel, Appalachian State

Chase Brice, Appalachian State

Jacob Cowing, Arizona

KJ Jefferson, Arkansas

Tank Bigsby, Auburn

George Holani, Boise State

Phil Jurkoverc, Boston College

Jaren Hall, BYU

Lew Nichols, Central Michigan

Chris Reynolds, Charlotte

Will Shipley, Clemson

Grayson McCall, Coastal Carolina

Keaton Mitchell, East Carolina

Hassan Beydoun, Eastern Michigan

Anthony Richardson, Florida

Jordan Travis, Florida State

Jake Haener, Fresno State

Stetson Bennett, Georgia

Brock Bowers, Georgia

Clayton Tune, Houston

Nathaniel Dell, Houston

Chase Brown, Illinois

Xavier Hutchinson, Iowa State

Deuce Vaughn, Kansas State

Marquez Cooper, Kent State

Will Levis, Kentucky

Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky

Malik Cunningham, Louisville

Kayshon Boutte, LSU

Rasheen All, Marshall

Taulia Tagovailoa, Maryland

Ellis Merriweather, Massachusetts

Tyler Van Dyke, Miami

Brett Gabbert, Miami (OH)

Blake Corum, Michigan

Payton Thorne, Michigan State

Jayden Reed, Michigan State

Mohamed Ibrahim, Minnesota

Will Rogers, Mississippi State

Devin Leary, NC State

Josh Downs, North Carolina

Evan Hull, Northwestern

Michael Mayer, Notre Dame

C.J. Stroud, Ohio State

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson, Ohio State

Dillon Gabriel, Oklahoma

Spencer Sanders, Oklahoma State

Blake Watson, Old Dominion

Sean Clifford, Penn State

Aidan O’Connell, Purdue

Tanner Mordecai, SMU

Spencer Rattler, South Carolina

Tanner Mckee, Stanford

Sean Tucker, Syracuse

Quentin Johnston, TCU

Hendon Hooker, Tennessee

Cedric Tillman, Tennessee

Bijan Robinson, Texas

Xavier Worthy, Texas

Devon Achane, Texas A&M

Dequan Finn, Toledo

Michael Pratt, Tulane

DeWayne McBride, UAB

Dorian Thompson-Robinson, UCLA

Zach Charbonnet, UCLA

Jordan Addison, USC

Caleb Williams, USC

Cameron Rising, Utah

Tavion Thomas, Utah

Logan Bonner, Utah State

Frank Harris, UTSA

Mike Wright, Vanderbilt

Brennan Armstrong, Virginia

Dontayvion Wicks, Virginia

Sam Hartman, Wake Forest

A.T. Perry, Wake Forest

Cameron Ward, Washington State

JT Daniels, West Virginia

Jarret Doege, Western Kentucky

Sean Tyler, Western Michigan

Braelon Allen, Wisconsin

GREENSBORO – The Atlantic Coast Conference announced Tuesday a new football scheduling model that will go into effect beginning with the 2023 season.

The new model is based on a 3-5-5 structure whereby each team will play three primary opponents annually and face the other 10 league teams twice during the four-year cycle, once at home and once on the road. The schedule allows for each team to face all 13 conference opponents home and away at least once during the four-year cycle. The structure was adopted by the league’s athletic directors and faculty athletic representatives earlier today. 

The new schedule will eliminate the Atlantic and Coastal divisions with all 14 schools competing in one division beginning in 2023. The top two teams based on conference winning percentage will compete in the Subway ACC Football Championship Game on the first Saturday in December at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. In May, the NCAA Division I Council approved the deregulation of the current rule that had limited an individual conference's autonomy to determine their football championship game participants.

“The future ACC football scheduling model provides significant enhancements for our schools and conference, with the most important being our student-athletes having the opportunity to play every school both home and away over a four-year period,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “We appreciate the thoughtful discussions within our membership, including the head football coaches and athletic directors. In the end, it was clear this model is in the best interest of our student-athletes, programs, and fans, at this time.”

A special one-hour edition of The Huddle will air on ACC Network on Tuesday at 7 p.m. to discuss the new scheduling format. The show will be hosted by Drew Carter and feature analysis from Eric Mac Lain, EJ Manuel, and Mark Richt.

The three primary partners for each ACC team are as follows:

Boston College: Miami, Pitt, Syracuse

Clemson: Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State

Duke: North Carolina, NC State, Wake Forest

Florida State: Clemson, Miami, Syracuse

Georgia Tech: Clemson, Louisville, Wake Forest

Louisville: Georgia Tech, Miami, Virginia

Miami: Boston College, Florida State, Louisville

North Carolina: Duke, NC State, Virginia

NC State: Clemson, Duke, North Carolina

Pitt: Boston College, Syracuse, Virginia Tech

Syracuse: Boston College, Florida State, Pitt

Virginia: Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech: Pitt, Virginia, Wake Forest

Wake Forest: Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech

The 2023-2026 ACC Schedules (home and away) are as follows:

2023 ACC Football Schedule

Boston College: Home – Florida State, Miami, Virginia, Virginia Tech; Away – Georgia Tech, Louisville, Pitt, Syracuse

Clemson: Home – Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Wake Forest; Away – Duke, Miami, NC State, Syracuse

Duke: Home – Clemson, NC State, Pitt, Wake Forest; Away – Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, Virginia

Florida State: Home – Duke, Miami, Syracuse, Virginia Tech; Away – Boston College, Clemson, Pitt, Wake Forest

Georgia Tech: Home – Boston College, Louisville, North Carolina, Syracuse; Away – Clemson, Miami, Virginia, Wake Forest

Louisville: Home – Boston College, Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech; Away – Georgia Tech, Miami, NC State, Pitt 

Miami: Home – Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Virginia; Away – Boston College, Florida State, North Carolina, NC State

North Carolina: Home – Duke, Miami, Syracuse, Virginia; Away – Clemson, Georgia Tech, NC State, Pitt

NC State: Home – Clemson, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina; Away – Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Pitt: Home – Boston College, Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina; Away – Duke, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Syracuse: Home – Boston College, Clemson, Pitt, Wake Forest; Away – Florida State, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Virginia Tech

Virginia: Home – Duke, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia Tech; Away – Boston College, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina

Virginia Tech: Home – NC State, Pitt, Syracuse, Wake Forest; Away – Boston College, Florida State, Louisville, Virginia

Wake Forest: Home – Florida State, Georgia Tech, NC State, Pitt; Away – Clemson, Duke, Syracuse, Virginia Tech

2024 ACC Football Schedule

Boston College: Home – Clemson, Pitt, Syracuse, Wake Forest; Away – Duke, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina 

Clemson: Home – Louisville, Miami, NC State, Virginia; Away – Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech

Duke: Home – Boston College, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech; Away – Miami, NC State, Syracuse, Wake Forest

Florida State: Home – Boston College, Clemson, North Carolina, NC State; Away – Georgia Tech, Miami, Syracuse, Virginia

Georgia Tech: Home – Clemson, Florida State, Pitt, Wake Forest; Away – Louisville, NC State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech

Louisville: Home – Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, Syracuse; Away – Clemson, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Miami: Home – Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Pitt; Away – Clemson, Louisville, Syracuse, Wake Forest

North Carolina: Home – Boston College, NC State, Pitt, Virginia Tech; Away – Duke, Florida State, Louisville, Virginia

NC State: Home – Duke, Georgia Tech, Syracuse, Wake Forest; Away – Clemson, Florida State, North Carolina, Pitt

Pitt: Home – NC State, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech; Away – Boston College, Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina

Syracuse: Home – Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Miami; Away – Boston College, Louisville, NC State, Pitt

Virginia: Home – Florida State, Louisville, North Carolina, Wake Forest; Away – Clemson, Duke, Pitt, Virginia Tech

Virginia Tech: Home – Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Virginia; Away – Duke, North Carolina, Pitt, Wake Forest

Wake Forest: Home – Duke, Louisville, Miami, Virginia Tech; Away – Boston College, Georgia Tech, NC State, Virginia 

2025 ACC Football Schedule

Boston College: Home – Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, NC State; Away – Pitt, Syracuse, Virginia, Virginia Tech

Clemson: Home – Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Syracuse; Away – North Carolina, NC State, Pitt, Wake Forest

Duke: Home – Florida State, Louisville, NC State, Wake Forest; Away – Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Pitt

Florida State: Home – Miami, Pitt, Syracuse, Wake Forest; Away – Clemson, Duke, Louisville, Virginia Tech

Georgia Tech: Home – Duke, Louisville, Miami, Virginia; Away – Boston College, Clemson, North Carolina, Wake Forest 

Louisville: Home – Florida State, NC State, Pitt, Virginia; Away – Boston College, Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami

Miami: Home – Louisville, North Carolina, NC State, Virginia Tech; Away – Boston College, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Virginia

North Carolina: Home – Clemson, Duke, Georgia Tech, Virginia; Away – Miami, NC State, Syracuse, Wake Forest

NC State: Home – Clemson, North Carolina, Virginia, Virginia Tech; Away – Boston College, Duke, Louisville, Miami

Pitt: Home – Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Wake Forest; Away – Florida State, Louisville, Syracuse, Virginia Tech

Syracuse: Home – Boston College, North Carolina, Pitt, Virginia Tech; Away – Clemson, Florida State, Virginia, Wake Forest

Virginia: Home – Boston College, Miami, Syracuse, Virginia Tech; Away – Georgia Tech, Louisville, North Carolina, NC State

Virginia Tech: Home – Boston College, Florida State, Pitt, Wake Forest; Away – Miami, NC State, Syracuse, Virginia

Wake Forest: Home – Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Syracuse; Away – Duke, Florida State, Pitt, Virginia Tech 

2026 ACC Football Schedule

Boston College: Home – Duke, North Carolina, Pitt, Syracuse; Away – Clemson, Miami, NC State, Wake Forest

Clemson: Home – Boston College, NC State, Pitt, Virginia Tech; Away – Florida State, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Virginia

Duke: Home – Georgia Tech, Miami, North Carolina, Syracuse; Away – Boston College, NC State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Florida State: Home – Clemson, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Virginia; Away – Miami, North Carolina, NC State, Syracuse

Georgia Tech: Home – Clemson, NC State, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest; Away – Duke, Florida State, Louisville, Pitt 

Louisville: Home – Clemson, Georgia Tech, Miami, Wake Forest; Away – Florida State, North Carolina, Syracuse, Virginia 

Miami: Home – Boston College, Florida State, Syracuse, Wake Forest; Away – Duke, Louisville, Pitt, Virginia Tech

North Carolina: Home – Florida State, Louisville, NC State, Wake Forest; Away – Boston College, Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech

NC State: Home – Boston College, Duke, Florida State, Pitt; Away – Clemson, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Syracuse 

Pitt: Home – Georgia Tech, Miami, Syracuse, Virginia Tech; Away – Boston College, Clemson, NC State, Virginia

Syracuse: Home – Florida State, Louisville, NC State, Virginia; Away – Boston College, Duke, Miami, Pitt

Virginia: Home – Clemson, Louisville, North Carolina, Pitt; Away – Florida State, Syracuse, Virginia Tech, Wake Forest

Virginia Tech: Home – Duke, Miami, North Carolina, Virginia; Away – Clemson, Georgia Tech, Pitt, Wake Forest

Wake Forest: Home – Boston College, Duke, Virginia, Virginia Tech; Away – Georgia Tech, Louisville, Miami, North Carolina

Story courtesy of ACC Communications

GREENSBORO – The Atlantic Coast Conference and its television partners announced the kickoff times and networks for all ACC-controlled contests during the early weeks of the 2022 football season Thursday. 

Also included are the times and networks for the Thursday and Friday night contests throughout the 2022 season. 

ESPN also announced its complete bowl schedule, which includes most ACC-affiliated bowl games.  

“We look forward to the upcoming 2022 ACC football season and anticipate a fantastic year with our student-athletes competing at the highest level for ACC and national championships,” said ACC Commissioner Jim Phillips, Ph.D. “As part of playing arguably the most challenging non-conference schedule in the country, we open the season with some incredible games, which include five consecutive days of football over the Labor Day weekend. We appreciate the outstanding coverage our television partners provide to our institutions and now with full distribution, we specifically look forward to this season of football coverage on ACC Network.”

The ACC football season gets underway on Saturday, Aug. 27, when Florida State hosts Duquesne at 5 p.m. on ACC Network and North Carolina hosts Florida A&M at 8:15 p.m. on ACC Network in Week Zero. It marks the first August season opener for the league since 2019. 

The ACC will be featured throughout the Labor Day Weekend (Sept. 1-5) with 12 games over a five-day span. No other league plays across all five days in Week One. This is the fourth time in the last six years the ACC has played over five consecutive days in Week One. The Labor Day weekend begins on Thursday, Sept. 1, with both of last year’s ACC division champions in action. ACC and Coastal Division Champion Pitt hosts West Virginia at Heinz Field at 7 p.m. on ESPN, and Atlantic Division champion Wake Forest opens against VMI in Winston-Salem at 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network. On Friday, Sept. 2, Virginia Tech plays at Old Dominion at 7 p.m. on ESPN, while Duke plays host to Temple at 7:30 p.m. on ACC Network. 

Saturday’s slate includes the first of four games this season against an Alliance member school – Boston College vs. Rutgers (Big Ten) at noon on ESPNU – and the first league matchup of the year with Louisville at Syracuse at 8 p.m. on ACC Network. Other games on Sept. 3 include North Carolina at Appalachian State at noon on ESPNU, NC State at East Carolina at noon on ESPN, Richmond at Virginia at 12:30 p.m. on RSN, and Bethune-Cookman at Miami at 3:30 p.m. on ACC Network. 

On Sunday, Sept. 4, Florida State travels to New Orleans to face LSU at the Caesars Superdome in the Allstate Louisiana Kickoff at 7:30 p.m. on ABC. The following night in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game on Labor Day Monday, Georgia Tech hosts Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta at 8 p.m. on ESPN. 

The second weekend of the season features a conference battle with Boston College at Virginia Tech at 8 p.m. on ACC Network. Two Alliance matchups are also in Week Two – Duke at Northwestern at Noon on FS1 and Virginia at Illinois at 4 p.m. on ESPNU. Wake Forest plays at Vanderbilt at noon on SEC Network, Tennessee travels to Pitt at 3:30 p.m. on ABC and Syracuse plays at UConn at 7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network.

Week three begins with a Friday (Sept. 16) night game between Florida State and Louisville at 7 p.m. on ESPN. Four Power 5 matchups are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 16, including Purdue at Syracuse at noon on ESPN2, Ole Miss at Georgia Tech at 3:30 p.m. on ABC, Texas Tech at NC State at 7 p.m. on ESPN2, and Miami at Texas A&M at 9 p.m. on ESPN. 

The ACC’s non-conference schedule continues to be the most difficult in the country. In addition to 21 games against Power 5 opponents, the ACC will play eight non-conference games against teams ranked in the final 2021 Associated Press Top 25 poll. All 14 ACC teams play at least one Power 5 non-conference opponent, while seven schools – Boston College, Clemson, Duke, Florida State, Georgia Tech, Pitt and Syracuse – play two. ACC teams will play 27 games against opponents that appeared in a bowl game last year. ACC teams will play nine non-conference games against teams in ESPN’s 2022 Way-Too-Early Top 25. 

The 2022 Subway ACC Football Championship Game will be played Dec. 3 at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, and feature the winner of the Atlantic Division vs. the winner of the Coastal Division. The ACC and the Charlotte Sports Foundation have an agreement in place to keep the championship game in Charlotte through the 2030 season. The game will be televised by ABC with kickoff time announced at a later date.

Saturday, Aug. 27

Duquesne at Florida State, 5 p.m., ACCN

Florida A&M at North Carolina, 8:15 p.m., ACCN

Thursday, Sept. 1

West Virginia at Pitt, 7 p.m., ESPN

VMI at Wake Forest, 7:30 p.m., ACCN

Friday, Sept. 2

Virginia Tech at Old Dominion, 7 p.m., ESPNU

Temple at Duke, 7:30 p.m., ACCN

Saturday, Sept. 3

Rutgers at Boston College, Noon, ACCN

North Carolina at Appalachian State, Noon, ESPNU

NC State at East Carolina, Noon, ESPN

Richmond at Virginia, 12:30 p.m., RSN

Bethune-Cookman at Miami, 3:30 p.m., ACCN

Louisville at Syracuse, 8 p.m., ACCN

Sunday, Sept. 4

Allstate Louisiana Kickoff

Florida State at LSU (New Orleans, La.)

Caesars Superdome, 7:30 p.m., ABC (previously announced)

Monday, Sept. 5

Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game

Clemson at Georgia Tech (Atlanta, Ga.)

Mercedes-Benz Stadium, 8 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Sept. 9

Louisville at UCF, 7:30 p.m., ESPN2

Saturday, Sept. 10

Duke at Northwestern, Noon, FS1

Southern Miss at Miami, Noon, ACCN

North Carolina at Georgia State, Noon, ESPNU

Wake Forest at Vanderbilt, Noon, SECN

Charleston Southern at NC State, 12:30 p.m., RSN

Furman at Clemson, 3:30 p.m., ACCN

Tennessee at Pitt, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Virginia at Illinois, 4 p.m., ESPNU

Western Carolina at Georgia Tech, 7 p.m., ACCNX/ESPN+

Syracuse at UConn, 7 p.m., CBSSN

Boston College at Virginia Tech, 8 p.m., ACCN

Open: Florida State

Friday, Sept. 16

Florida State at Louisville, 7 p.m., ESPN

Saturday, Sept. 17

Wofford at Virginia Tech, 11 a.m., ACCN

Purdue at Syracuse, Noon, ESPN2

Old Dominion at Virginia, 2 p.m., ACCN

Ole Miss at Georgia Tech, 3:30 p.m., ABC

Liberty at Wake Forest, 5 p.m., ACCN

North Carolina A&T at Duke, 6 p.m., ACCNX/ESPN+

Texas Tech at NC State, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Pitt at Western Michigan, 7:30 p.m., ESPNU

Maine at Boston College, 7:30 p.m., RSN

Louisiana Tech at Clemson, 8 p.m., ACCN

Miami at Texas A&M, 9 p.m., ESPN

Open: North Carolina

Thursday, Sept. 22

West Virginia at Virginia Tech, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Sept. 23

Virginia at Syracuse, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 20

Virginia at Georgia Tech, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Thursday, Oct. 27

Virginia Tech at NC State, 7:30 p.m., ESPN

Friday, Nov. 4

Duke at Boston College, 7 p.m., ESPN2

Friday, Nov. 25

NC State at North Carolina, Noon or 1 p.m. or 3:30 p.m., ABC or ESPN

Florida at Florida State, 7:30 p.m., ABC (previously announced)

Saturday, Dec. 3

2022 Subway ACC Football Championship Game, TBD, ABC

Atlantic Division Champion vs. Coastal Division Champion

Charlotte, N.C., Bank of America Stadium

ACC Bowl Game Affiliations

Wasabi Fenway Bowl – Saturday, Dec. 17, 11:00 a.m., ESPN

Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl – Friday, Dec. 23, TBD, ESPN

TicketSmarter Birmingham Bowl – Tuesday, Dec. 27, 3:15 or 6:45 p.m., ESPN

Military Bowl Presented by Peraton – Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2 p.m., ESPN

Pinstripe Bowl – Thursday, Dec. 29, 2 p.m., ESPN

Cheez-It Bowl – Thursday, Dec. 29, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Duke’s Mayo Bowl – Friday, Dec. 30, Noon, ESPN

Tony the Tiger Sun Bowl – Friday, Dec. 30, 2022, 2 p.m., CBS

TaxSlayer Gator Bowl – Friday, Dec. 30, 3:30 p.m., ESPN

Capital One Orange Bowl – Friday, Dec. 30, 7:30 p.m. or 8 p.m., ESPN

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl – Saturday, Dec. 31, 4 p.m. or 8 p.m., ESPN

College Football Playoff Semifinal at the Fiesta Bowl – Saturday, Dec. 31, 4 or 8 p.m., ESPN

Tampa Bay Bowl – Monday, Jan. 2, Noon, ESPN2

Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic – Monday, Jan. 2, 1 p.m., ESPN

College Football Playoff National Championship Presented by AT&T – Monday, Jan. 9, TBD, ESPN

San Diego County Credit Union Holiday Bowl – TBD 

RALEIGH – It was homecoming under the lights at Carter-Finley
Stadium on Saturday during the Halloween weekend. The Wolfpack, fresh off a disappointing
loss at Miami the previous Saturday, looked for a treat in a rebound win
against Atlantic Division rival Louisville. The Cardinals, coached by North
Carolina native Scott Satterfield, looked for the trick in ending NC State's
seven-game home winning streak.

Going into the fourth quarter, Coach Satterfield thought he
had a basket of full-size chocolate candy bars with the home team seemingly asleep
with the light off. In the end, it ended up being a bucket of black licorice
for Louisville as the Wolfpack came alive in the fourth quarter, outscoring the
Cardinals 21-3, on their way to a 28-13 win.

In the spirit of Halloween, here are a few tricks and treats
from tonight's game.

Trick

After starting the game with two nine-play drives, the
second of which ended in a touchdown catch by Emeka Emezie, the Wolfpack
offense went stagnant over their next six drives, punting each time.

Treat

The Wolfpack finally woke up early in the fourth quarter,
with Devin Leary hitting Porter Rooks and Trent Pennix for two long passes, with
Pennix's reception resulting in the Pack's second touchdown of the night.

Trick

The Wolfpack defense got hit with two personal foul
penalties on a Louisville drive in the fourth quarter.

Treat

The defense rebounded and forced Louisville to kick a field
goal.

Trick

The Wolfpack only rushed for eleven yards through three
quarters.

Treat

Eleven NC State players recorded at least one reception on
the night.

Trick

Louisville QB Malik Cunningham led the Cardinals in rushing
and passing for the night.

Treat

The NC State defense stepped up when it mattered, stopping
the prolific dual-threat quarterback on a fourth-down twice in the fourth
quarter.

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Thomas (Heritage) – the sophomore linebacker had fifteen tackles, two sacks, and a pass breakup.

Emeka Emezie (Marvin Ridge) – the senior wide receiver had five
catches for ninety-one yards and a touchdown.

Trent Pennix (Sanderson) – the redshirt sophomore running
back came alive in the passing game, scoring the go-ahead touchdown early in
the fourth quarter.

Up Next

Both teams stay in Atlantic Division action next week as NC
State (6-2) travels to take on Florida State while Louisville (4-4) hosts Clemson.

GREENSBORO – Clemson is an overwhelming preseason favorite to claim its seventh consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference football title, according to a preseason poll of 147 media voters. 

The Tigers, who posted a 10-2 record last season while earning a postseason playoff berth for the sixth consecutive year, were also chosen as likely Atlantic Division winners. North Carolina was picked to finish atop the Coastal Division following an eight-win 2020 season that culminated with the program’s first-ever berth in the Orange Bowl. 

Clemson was named the likely 2021 ACC champion on 125 ballots. North Carolina picked up 16 votes, followed by Miami with three and Georgia Tech, NC State, and Virginia with one each.

In the Atlantic Division preseason voting, Clemson led the way with 146 first-place votes and 1,028 total points. NC State, which was tabbed as the likely second-place finisher, picked up the remaining first-place vote while accumulating 804 points.

Boston College (638 points) was picked for a third-place Atlantic Division finish, followed by Florida State (510), Wake Forest (472), Louisville (462), and Syracuse (202).

In the Coastal Division forecast, North Carolina received 109 first-place votes and amassed 979 total points. Miami (28 first-place votes) was next with 881 points, followed by Virginia Tech (three-first place votes, 582 points) and Pitt (one first-place vote, 576 points).

Virginia (two first-place votes, 540 points), Georgia Tech (four first-place votes, 340 points), and Duke (218 points) closed out the voting.

Clemson was selected as the likely ACC champion in the media preseason poll for the fourth consecutive season and the seventh time in the last nine years. 

North Carolina was projected as the preseason Coastal Division champion for the second time and the first time since 2016. The Tar Heels’ lone Coastal Division championship came in 2015. Each of the Coastal’s seven teams won the division from 2013 through 2019. Due to the 2020 pandemic, the ACC played with a non-divisional format last season.

The Atlantic and Coastal Division winners will meet in the 2021 ACC Football Championship Game on Saturday, December 4, at Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium.

ACC Preseason Poll

(147 total votes - First-place votes in parenthesis)

Overall Champion

1. Clemson - 125
2. North Carolina - 16
3. Miami - 3
4. Virginia - 1
5. Georgia Tech - 1
6. NC State - 1

Atlantic Division

1. Clemson – 1,028 (146)
2. NC State - 804 (1)
3. Boston College - 638
4. Florida State - 510
5. Wake Forest - 472
6. Louisville - 462
7. Syracuse - 202

Coastal Division

1. North Carolina - 979 (109)
2. Miami - 881 (28)
3. Virginia Tech - 582 (3)
4. Pitt - 576 (1)
5. Virginia - 540 (2)
6. Georgia Tech - 340 (4)
7. Duke - 218 

JACKSONVILLE, FL – The NC State Wolfpack, ranked 23^rd
coming into Saturday’s TaxSlayer Gator Bowl, were unable to complete the comeback
they needed against the Kentucky Wildcats, fell 23-21 to finish the 2020 season
at 8-4.

Quarterback Bailey Hockman was 27/40 passing for 268 yards
and a touchdown. Running back Zonovan “Bam” Knight had 52 yards rushing and a
score. Isaac Duffy led the defense with thirteen tackles.

Coach Dave Doeren

“It was a great football game. I’m proud of the way we
fought back in the second half and had multiple chances to get it back and get
a lead. Obviously, it’s one of those games when you lose by two points there’s
a lot of plays you think about, and we were without a lot of players today…I
thought our defense really battled not having Alim [McNeill] and Payton
[Wilson] and Drake [Thomas] and Tanner [Ingle], the kids who had to play in
their place played hard…Offensively, we just turned the ball over three times,
missed two field goals. We had our chances to make that a different game and we
didn’t. You have to give Kentucky credit for that. It was a really hard-fought
game and a physical game, as I expected it to be…Proud of the way the kids
fought, proud of our season. This doesn’t make me feel like we didn’t have a
good season – we did. It was a great experience. I’m appreciative of the
opportunity to be down here, and I’m really excited that so many of these
players are back. It’s going to be a great offseason with them.” “I love these
guys. The players, the coaches, the staff, we went through a lot. We went
through a lot last season when there was a lot of people talking negatively
about us. We stuck together, we came back with a growing attitude…We grew a lot
together, we learned a lot from each other. A lot of guys stepped up this year
and stepped into roles where they weren’t starters and injuries took place and
guys would step in and just play.”

Scoring Summary

Qtr         Time      Scoring Play       V-H

1st         06:00    UK - Matt Ruffolo 25 yd FG 16-68 9:00    0-3

2nd        06:23    UK - Chris Rodriguez 4 yd TD RUSH (KICK by
Matt Ruffolo), 6-79 2:39       0-10

2nd        00:02    UK - Matt Ruffolo 26 yd FG 7-69 1:21      0-13

3rd         02:56    ST - Riley, C.J. 9 yd TD PASS from Hockman,
B. (KICK by Dunn, C.), 13-76 6:12   7-13

4th         05:45    UK - Matt Ruffolo 20 yd FG 7-40 3:09      7-16

4th         04:46    ST - Knight, Z. 13 yd TD RUSH (KICK by Dunn,
C.), 3-37 0:54               14-16

4th         02:55    UK - Chris Rodriguez 26 yd TD RUSH (KICK by
Matt Ruffolo), 1-26 0:07       14-23