The North Carolina State Wolfpack looks to alter recent history
Although North Carolina State (6-2, 3-1 ACC) is off to its best start since 2002, the No. 23 Wolfpack is looking to overcome a recent obstacle when they face the Clemson Tigers (4-4, 2-3 ACC) on Saturday, 6 November.
The Wolfpack’s unsuccessful streak (which stands at six games) at the hands of Clemson is the school’s longest active line against any Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) opponent. Since their last victory over the Tigers back in 2003, N.C. State has accumulated
at least one win against every other team in the conference.
North Carolina State’s George Bryan commented on the upcoming game, hopeful that this weekend’s match-up will bring a welcome change from the school’s recent trouble against the Tigers.
“I think they maybe just had our number for a little bit, but we’re looking to change that,” the tight end said. “Just to beat Clemson would be a great thing, and it would definitely be a change, and maybe we could keep that going for the years to come.”
However, N.C. State probably isn’t as focused on altering the rivalry for years to come as much as they are on trying to capture the ACC’s Atlantic Division this season. The Wolfpack’s 28-24 victory over the Florida State Seminoles last Thursday 28 October
propelled them to the top of the divisional race with just four regular season games remaining. To keep pace, the Wolfpack know they’ve got to continue to find the win column.
Aware of what’s at stake, as well as his team’s potential, North Carolina State coach Tom O’Brien echoed those sentiments.
“There’s a lot on the line, and this is a big football game,” the head coach said earlier this week. “Certainly, each and every week, they get bigger, but that’s the exciting thing. It’s neat to be in this situation and be playing for the things we’re playing
for right now.”
Clemson, on the other hand, has different plans for the Wolfpack. In each of its first three meetings with O’Brien at the helm, the Tigers have defeated N.C. State by an average of 20 points. However, as far as offensive production is concerned, Clemson has
yet to fill the glaring hole left in the wake of former running back C.J. Spiller’s departure to the NFL.
Spiller, who now stars as an all-purpose threat in his rookie season with the Buffalo Bills, averaged 106.5 rushing yards to go along with eight touchdowns in just four career games against the Wolfpack.
One of the major challenges this season for Clemson coach Dabo Swinney has been trying to find a replacement for Spiller’s energy, leadership, and production. Running back Andre Ellington, the Tigers’ leading rusher was doing his best to fill the void, however,
the sophomore will be sidelined for at least the next two games after injuring his toe in last week’s loss to Boston College.
Even though that means relatively inexperienced junior running back Jamie Harper will likely be asked to pick up the slack, the N.C. State defenders know that they still have to be prepared for a battle.
“Clemson’s more of the type of offensive line that will just try to maul you, run the ball down your throat,” North Carolina State defensive end David Akinniyi said. “I think it’s probably going to be one of the most physical games we’ve been in so far.”
If the Wolfpack come ready to play, Clemson’s win streak might just be halted at six.
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