College Sports

No. 12 NC State pursues 4-0 start, hosts Connecticut

Posted September 22, 2022 7:00 am

By The Associated Press

Connecticut (1-3) at No. 12 North Carolina State (3-0), Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (RSN)

Line: N.C. State by 38 1/2 on FanDuel Sportsbook.

Series record: N.C. State leads 2-0.

WHAT'S AT STAKE?

Dave Doeren's Wolfpack beat Texas Tech last week and can close an unbeaten stretch of the non-conference schedule. N.C. State is trying for its first 4-0 start since opening 5-0 in 2018, while its Atlantic Coast Conference opener at No. 5 Clemson looms for next weekend. Jim Mora's Huskies are coming off consecutive blowout losses to power-conference opponents.

KEY MATCHUP

The Huskies' offense vs. the Wolfpack's defense. N.C. State returned 10 starters from a unit that ranked 14th in the Bowl Subdivision ranks in scoring defense (19.7) and 21st in total defense (331.6 yards). That unit carried them in the Texas Tech win by forcing four turnovers and getting a pick-6 from Aydan White to offset some hiccups for the offense. The Huskies are coming off a 59-0 loss at No. 4 Michigan and rank near the bottom of the FBS stats in scoring offense (15.5, 119th) and total offense (280.5, 124th). They managed just 110 total yards and six first downs against the Wolverines.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Connecticut: RB Devontae Houston. He's listed atop the depth chart with star tailback Nate Carter sidelined for this one due to a shoulder injury from the Michigan game.

N.C. State: RB Demie Sumo-Karngbaye. The second-year runner scored two touchdowns in the Texas Tech win and provides a physical, thumping presence.

FACTS & FIGURES

The first two meetings were both one-score games, with N.C. State winning 31-24 at home in 2003 and 10-7 on the road in 2012. ... The Wolfpack's win streak at Carter-Finley Stadium reached 12 games last weekend, four shy of tying the program record set from 1972-75. Only Clemson, Oregon, Alabama and Georgia have longer current active home streaks. ... N.C. State holds the program's highest AP Top 25 ranking since the final poll in 2002. ... Connecticut lost 48-14 at home to Syracuse on Sept. 10 in the first of three matchups with ACC teams. The Huskies also host Boston College on Oct. 29. ... Connecticut is 6-21 all-time against ACC teams.

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Connecticut head coach Jim Mora watches in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya) The Associated Press

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