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The Wolfpacker Show: NC State snowballs in loss to Tennessee

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell09/08/24

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NC State (3)
Sep 7, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Nico Iamaleava (8) runs from North Carolina State Wolfpack defensive end Red Hibbler (4) during the second half at the Dukes Mayo Classic at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

Things turned from bad to worse for NC State football after quarterback Grayson McCall threw a pick six in the second quarter of Saturday night’s loss to No. 7 Tennessee. The Wolfpack trailed 17-3 at that point, and the floodgates opened for the Volunteers.

After turning the ball over twice in the third quarter and failing on a fourth-down conversion, Tennessee continued to rack up the points, putting up 51 on the Pack. NC State scored its only touchdown of the contest on a pick six from Aydan White.

NC State totaled 27 yards of offense in the second half and could not run the ball all night, averaging 1.4 yards per attempt. Tennessee’s offense ran for 249 yards and threw for 210.

The Pack fell to 1-1 on the season. After the game, Noah Fleischman and Ethan McDowell recorded another episode of The Wolfpacker Show to discuss their thoughts on the loss.

In this episode of The Wolfpacker Show…

*** Ethan and Noah shared their initial takes on the setback. NC State had a chance to make a statement in a national spotlight in front of some elite recruits and failed to capitalize on the prime-time stage at Bank of America Stadium.

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**** This game snowballed out of control for the Pack, with the pick six creating a clear pivot point for the program. Going from down 7 in the red zone to down 14 ended up as a back-breaking turn of events for NC State. Noah broke down where things went wrong.

*** The hosts talked about NC State’s struggles on both sides of the ball, complimenting the Wolfpack’s initial game plan, while also highlighting how the Volunteers turned the game around. Tennessee deployed a couple of interesting wrinkles that threw off its opponent.

*** They also talked about the Pack’s inability to run the ball and McCall’s turnover woes.

*** Noah and Ethan then handed out a couple of game balls to recognize a pair of standout individual performances. To wrap up the show, they acknowledged that most of NC State’s goals are still attainable. The Pack just needs to show clear improvement over the next couple of weeks. A showdown with No. 22 Clemson looms on the horizon.

The Wolfpacker Show is available in audio and video on TheWolfpacker.com’s YouTube channel. You can also stream the show on any podcast platform.

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