During the next several weeks, ODUSports.com will introduce you to the opponents for the 2014 Monarchs. ODU will take on ACC foe NC State in week No. 2.
Game Day
Sept. 6, 2014 – Raleigh, N.C. – Carter Finley Stadium
The Quick Facts
Location: Raleigh, N.C.
Nickname: WolfPack
First Year of Football: 1892
Conference: Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Head Coach: Dave Doeren
2013 Record: 3-9, 0-8
About the Wolfpack
Dave Doeren will begin his second season as head coach at NC State after going 23-4 in two years as head coach of Northern Illinois. In his two seasons with the Huskies, Doeren led NIU to an 11-3 season and MAC Championship and 12-1 year that ended with Northern Illinois playing in the Orange Bowl.
NC State went 3-9 last season and 0-8 in the ACC in 2013. The Wolfpack’s wins were over Louisiana Tech of Conference USA, Richmond and Central Michigan
The Wolfpack return senior to be Pete Thomas at quarterback. Thomas split time last season, completing 86-of-151 passes for 1,667 yards, four touchdowns and nine interceptions. He also rushed 72 times for 163 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
A pair of underclassmen, Shadrach Thomas, a junior to be, and Matt Dayes, a sophomore to be, led NC State in rushing. Thomas carried 165 times for 768 yards and four touchdowns to lead the team. Dayes rushed 63 times for 265 yards and four scores.
Bryan Underwood is the leading returning receiver, catching 32 passes for 382 yards and one touchdown last year.
NC State graduated their top three tacklers from a season ago. Brandon Pittman is the leading returning tackler with 62 tackles, three sacks and seven tackles for loss in 2013.
In the NFL
At of the beginning of the 2013 season, NC State had 18 players on an NFL roster, including Super Bowl winning quarterback Russell Wilson, Philip Rivers and 2006 No. 1 overall pick, Mario Williams.
The Game
This will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools and the fourth time in school history the Monarchs will face an ACC opponent.