The nc state football game is a collegiate American football contest featuring North Carolina State University's team, the Wolfpack, competing against other NCAA Division I FBS programs within the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). These games are held annually from August to December, typically on Saturdays, and include regular-season matchups, bowl games, and occasional conference championship appearances.
Each game follows standard American football rules: four quarters of 15 minutes each, with teams scoring touchdowns (6 points), field goals (3 points), safeties (2 points), and extra points or two-point conversions. The Wolfpack plays most of its home games at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, which holds approximately 58,000 fans.
For the 2023 season, the Wolfpack had a 5-7 record, including a win over Virginia Tech in the Duke's Mayo Bowl. The team's offensive coordinator, Ben Bennett, led a run-heavy attack averaging 147 rushing yards per game, while quarterback Grayson McCall threw for 2,100 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Games begin with a coin toss to determine possession for the opening kickoff. Teams alternate between offense and defense, advancing the ball via running plays or passing. A drive ends when a team scores, runs out of downs, or turns the ball over via fumble or interception.
Each team gets four chances (downs) to advance 10 yards. If they succeed, they earn a new set of four downs. If not, possession transfers to the opposing team. Scoring occurs through touchdowns (6 points), extra points (1 or 2 points), field goals (3 points), and safeties (2 points).
Game time is divided into two halves of 30 minutes each, with a 15-minute halftime break. Overtime is used in tie games during the regular season, with sudden death rules applying in postseason games. In the 2023 season, the Wolfpack lost a close overtime game to Clemson, 27-24, after a failed two-point conversion attempt.
There are three primary categories of nc state football games:
| Type | Description | Example (2023) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular Season | Eight games scheduled within the ACC, including home and away matchups. | vs. Syracuse (home), vs. Florida State (away) |
| Bowl Game | Postseason game awarded based on conference standing and record. | Duke's Mayo Bowl vs. Virginia Tech (Dec 27, 2023) |
| Conference Championship | Only available if the team finishes in the top two of the ACC Coastal Division. | Not qualified in 2023; finished 3rd in Coastal Division |
Regular-season games are broadcast on ESPN, ACC Network, or ABC, depending on opponent and scheduling priority. Bowl games often air on ESPN or ESPN2. Local radio coverage is available through the Wolfpack Sports Network, with play-by-play commentary by Dan D'Antoni.
Home games are held at Carter-Finley Stadium, located on the NC State campus in Raleigh. The stadium opened in 1965 and underwent a $12 million renovation in 2018, adding premium seating and improved video boards. Attendance averaged 54,200 during the 2023 season, with a sellout for the Clemson game.
Away games take place at the opponent's venue. For example, in 2023, the Wolfpack traveled to Tallahassee to face Florida State at Doak Campbell Stadium, a 75,000-seat facility. The game was televised on ABC at 3:30 PM ET on October 14.
Game times are set by the ACC's media rights agreements. Most Saturday games start at 12:00 PM, 3:30 PM, or 7:00 PM ET. Kickoffs are adjusted for travel, weather, and TV blackout rules. For instance, the November 18 game against Pittsburgh was moved to 1:00 PM ET due to a forecasted storm system.
Many assume the Wolfpack is a perennial contender in the ACC. This is false. Since 2010, the team has only made three bowl appearances: 2010 (Peach Bowl), 2016 (Sun Bowl), and 2023 (Duke's Mayo Bowl). Their last winning season was 2010, when they went 7-6 under coach Tom O'Brien.
Another misconception is that the team wears blue and gold. They do not. The official colors are red, white, and black. The red and white are derived from the university's founding in 1887, when the school adopted those colors to distinguish itself from nearby institutions. The black trim was added in 1920 to reflect the Southern tradition of mourning and resilience.
A lesser-known fact: the Wolfpack mascot, Stumpy, is not a real animal. He is a costumed performer who wears a custom-designed wolf head with red eyes and a snarling mouth. The costume weighs 22 pounds and includes a hidden speaker system for vocal effects. Stumpy performs at every home game, leading chants and dancing during timeouts.
On September 16, 2023, the Wolfpack hosted Clemson at Carter-Finley Stadium. The game began at 3:30 PM ET and drew a crowd of 57,891. Clemson entered ranked #10 nationally, while NC State was unranked.
NC State scored first on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Grayson McCall to wide receiver Keenan Reynolds. Clemson responded with a 67-yard drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by quarterback Cade Klubnik. The score remained tied 7-7 at halftime.
In the third quarter, NC State executed a 13-play, 78-yard drive ending in a 3-yard touchdown run by running back Jaylen Thomas. Clemson answered with a 56-yard field goal by kicker Jake Smith. The fourth quarter saw a defensive stand by NC State, forcing a turnover on downs with 1:42 remaining. The Wolfpack won 17-14.
This victory marked the first time since 2018 that NC State defeated a top-15 team at home. The win boosted their national ranking to #24 in the AP Poll and increased ticket sales for the following week's game against Boston College.
For the 2024 season, the Wolfpack will face five ranked opponents, including a home game against #14 Louisville on October 12. The team's success hinges on improving its red zone efficiency, which ranked 110th nationally in 2023 with a 48% touchdown conversion rate.
Defensive improvements are also critical. The unit allowed 24.6 points per game in 2023, ranking 85th in the nation. Analysts suggest that strengthening the secondary and increasing pressure on quarterbacks will be key to competitive wins.
If you're interested in tracking the team's performance, review the latest nc state wolfpack rankings football updates each week. You can also follow live stats and injury reports on the official athletics website.