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NC State football report card: Grading the Wolfpack’s performance in its loss at Duke

image_6483441 (3)by: Noah Fleischman09/21/25fleischman_noah
Teddy Hoffmann
Sep 20, 2025; Durham, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack wide receiver Teddy Hoffmann (12) goes for the ball against the Duke Blue Devils during the first quarter at Wallace Wade Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Zachary Taft-Imagn Images

DURHAM — NC State seemed like it was in control. The Wolfpack led by two scores early on the road, but after Duke dominated the middle eight of the game, it was all Blue Devils in a 45-33 shootout at Wallace Wade Stadium.  The Pack, which had found ways to finish each of its first three games, made costly mistakes on special teams with drive-ending turnovers that prevented NC State from having a chance to claw back. Add in a back-breaking explosive touchdown run allowed just before the two-minute warning, and the Wolfpack’s quest for a 4-0 start sank just as fast. Let’s take a look at each phase of the Wolfpack’s game and how they did in the loss. Here are the week’s grades for NC State’s offense, defense and special teams.