NC State coach Dave Doeren isn’t a ‘Swiftie,’ but the Wolfpack plays well after Taylor Swift album releases

Former NC State linebacker Isaiah Moore signed with the Kansas City Chiefs earlier this month, coach Dave Doeren’s hometown team, and has carved out a role as a reserve linebacker after suffering an injury over the summer. 

“I was fired up for him,” Doeren said this week. “He texted me, obviously that’s my hometown. … Couldn’t have happened to a better guy. Awesome football team, too. They’re in a good rhythm, they’ve got the Taylor Swift fan mania going on — that’s pretty cool.”

But is Doeren a “Swiftie?”

“No, I’m not,” Doeren said. “I would say I’m a Travis Kelce guy, though. I love watching that guy play. Man, is he good. But I’m excited for their team, they’re playing really well.”

Well, he might become one soon. The Wolfpack is 9-4 in games after a Taylor Swift album release, and 1989 (Taylor’s Version), her latest one, released Friday, one day before NC State’s game against Clemson. 

Here’s a look at all 13 of NC State’s contests over the stretch:

Taylor Swift (10/26/2006) — L at Virginia, 14-7 

NC State quarterback Daniel Evans threw for 220 yards with a touchdown and an interception in the Wolfpack’s loss in Charlottesville on Oct. 28, 2006. The Cavaliers scored the game-winning touchdown with 1:31 to play. 

Fearless (11/11/2008) — W vs. No. 24 Wake Forest, 21-17

The Wolfpack earned its first win following a Taylor Swift album release as quarterback Russell Wilson accounted for all three touchdowns — two passes and a rushing score — to pace the red and white over No. 24 Wake Forest on Nov. 15, 2008. Wilson accounted for 221 total yards of offense in the win.

Speak Now (10/25/2010) — W vs. No. 16 Florida State, 28-24

Wilson led the Wolfpack to another ranked win as he tossed a fourth-down touchdown pass to George Bryan with less than three minutes to play to cap NC State’s comeback win on Oct. 28, 2010. Wilson threw for 178 yards with a touchdown and an interception through the air, and he ran for three more scores on 17 carries for 69 yards.

Red (10/22/2012) — L at North Carolina, 43-35

North Carolina downed NC State after running back Giovani Bernard returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown with 13 seconds left on Oct. 27, 2012. Bernard ran for 135 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Tar Heels to their first win over the Wolfpack in five seasons. 

1989 (10/27/14) — W at Syracuse, 24-17

NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett threw for 186 yards and a touchdown, which sealed the game in the fourth quarter, as the Pack beat the Orange on Nov. 1, 2014. The Wolfpack win was sparked by Pharoah McKever’s 82-yard interception return for a touchdown, which was Doeren’s first ACC win at the helm of NC State. 

Reputation (11/10/2017) — W at Boston College, W 17-14

Running back Nyheim Hines’ 110-yard day paced the Wolfpack over the Eagles on Nov. 11, 2017. His 50-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter gave NC State the points it needed to knock off Boston College on the road. 

Lover (8/23/2019) — W vs. East Carolina, 34-6

NC State quarterback Matthew McKay threw for 308 yards and a touchdown, while he ran for 35 yards and two more scores as the Pack beat the Pirates on Aug. 31, 2019. The win was McKay’s first-career start for the Wolfpack.

Folklore (7/24/20) — W vs. Wake Forest, 45-42

It was the season opener for NC State during the COVID-19 impacted campaign, and running back Ricky Person led the way with 99 yards and two touchdowns on Sept. 19, 2020. He also completed one pass, a two-yard touchdown strike in the win. 

Evermore (12/11/20) — L vs. Kentucky, 45-42

NC State’s fourth-quarter comeback effort fell just short against Kentucky in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl on Jan. 2, 2021. Wolfpack quarterback Bailey Hockman threw for 268 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions, while running backs Zonovan Knight and Jordan Houston each recorded a score on the ground.

Fearless (Taylor’s Version) (4/9/2021) — W vs. South Florida, 45-0

Person had a three-touchdown first half, while he and Knight combined to rush for 268 yards in the win over the Bulls on Sept. 2, 2021. Quarterback Devin Leary threw for 232 yards with two touchdowns and an interception in the win.

Red (Taylor’s Version) (11/12/2021) — L at No. 12 Wake Forest, 45-42

NC State fell in a shootout on the road, even though Leary threw for 408 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions in the loss on Nov. 13, 2021. Wolfpack wide receivers Emeka Emezie and Devin Carter logged two touchdowns each, and had 133 and 132 receiving yards, respectively, in the defeat.

Midnights (10/21/22)  — W vs. Virginia Tech, 22-21

Wolfpack quarterback MJ Morris came off the bench to lead NC State to a 22-21 comeback win over Virginia Tech on Oct. 27, 2022. The signal-caller threw for 265 yards and three touchdowns as the Wolfpack edged the Hokies at Carter-Finley Stadium.

Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) (7/7/2023) — W at UConn, 24-14

NC State quarterback Brennan Armstrong paced the Wolfpack with 155 yards through the air and 96 yards with two touchdowns on the ground in the red and white’s season-opening win on Aug. 31, 2023. 

1989 (Taylor’s Version) (10/27/2023) — Saturday vs. Clemson at 2 p.m.

This weekend’s game is the 10th time NC State and Clemson will face off since Doeren took over in Raleigh. He’s 1-8 against the Tigers, but knocked off Clemson 27-21 in double overtime the last time they were at Carter-Finley Stadium in 2021.