NC State climbs in USA Today Coaches Poll, drops in AP Poll
NC State picked up a big win over Florida State Saturday, and the USA Today Coaches Polls took notice. The Wolfpack rose one spot to No. 13 after the primetime victory but dropped one spot to No 15 in the Associated Press Poll.
In another chaotic week of college football, the Pack climbed past both Kentucky and Utah in the coaches’ rankings, while the undefeated UCLA Bruins climbed past the program up to No. 12. Wake Forest is directly behind NC State at No. 14.
The AP Poll dropped the Wolfpack one spot after UCLA, TCU and Wake Forest all climbed past NC State. Only two votes separate the Pack and the Demon Deacons.
NC State’s win over the Seminoles was another defensive battle. The Wolfpack shut out FSU in the second half and, thanks to four field goals from senior kicker Christop her Dunn, NC State won the Atlantic Division clash 19-17.
“I know we won a heck of a football game tonight, and our kids earned it,” NC State head coach Dave Doeren said after the game.
After allowing a season-high for rushing yards in the first half, the NC State defense regrouped in the halftime locker room and shut down the Seminoles.
“More than anything, it was just looking them in the eye and [saying] ‘This is a gut check men. You’re going to be tested right now as competitors. This is your stadium, so how do you want to look in it? It was more about the attitude change, I think, and the execution than anything.’”
Quarterback Devin Leary left the game with an apparent upper body injury after taking a massive hit from a Florida State defender as he released the ball. He returned to the sideline later in the game with his right arm in a sling.
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“He got hit while he was throwing in motion, so they’re X-raying that entire part,” Doeren said.
After the game, Doeren said the signal caller’s X-rays came back negative and shared the next steps as NC State learns the extent of the injury.
“They’ll MRI him tomorrow, and we’ll be able to tell you more after that, but [it is] positive that the X rays were negative,” Doeren said.
“Hopefully it’s just a muscle strain, and we’ll have him back soon,” Doeren said. “But say your prayers for him tonight. I know he’s down. He’s a competitive dude. He wanted to be out there.”
NC State controlled the clock in the second half, picking up the significant majority of its yards on the ground. Jordan Houston carried the ball 24 times for 90 yards, while also catching two passes for 41 yards and leading the Pack in both categories.
The Wolfpack now turns its attention to a ranked matchup against No. 18 Syracuse, who are undefeated at 5-0 this season and coming off of a bye week. Following the week-7 showdown, NC State has a bye week before hosting Virginia Tech in a Thursday night matchup.
