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NC State holds steady at No. 13 in the coaches poll, drops in AP

On3 imageby:Ethan McDowell•09/06/22•

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(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)

After a 21-20 win over ECU that came down to a missed field goal in the final seconds, NC State‘s ranking in the USA Today Coaches Poll remained the same, No. 13, following the program’s season debut. This development is a reflection of a start to the season that, while it might not have been the debut the coaches and players hoped for, still improved their record to 1-0 to start the year.

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NC State started the year at No. 13 in the AP and Coaches polls, tying the program’s best start in the AP preseason ranking. The program is directly behind USC and in front of Pittsburgh in the rankings. The Associated Press dropped NC State five spots down to No. 18.

Four ACC programs, in addition to the Pack, remained ranked in the coaches top-25. Clemson checks in at No. 4, Pittsburgh at No. 14, Miami at No. 16 and Wake Forest at No. 21. Florida State received 33 votes after starting the season with two impressive wins, and Syracuse picked up 4 after a dominant win over Louisville. North Carolina also picked up one vote.

Michigan State and USC both jumped NC State in the coaches poll, but Utah and Oregon dropped passed the Pack to keep the program’s ranking steady.

The Wolfpack secured its one-point win over the Pirates despite some late drama that included an impressive touchdown drive by ECU, a missed extra point, an interception by NC State quarterback Devin Leary and then a missed winning field goal attempt.

Leary said after the game that there were some mixed emotions in the locker room afterwards. The team is always happy to pick up a win, but the Pack knows they have to execute better going forward.

“There’s a weird feeling in the locker room, honestly,” Leary said.

“Guys were happy that we won, guys were satisfied that we were able to pull that off but, at the same time, guys were pissed.”

Demie Sumo-Karngbaye, described by NC State head coach Dave Doeren as one of the bright spots from the afternoon, does not feel satisfied with his debut either despite rushing for 78 yards and a touchdowns in his sophomore season debut.

“Honestly, me personally, I wasn’t happy because I feel like we should have won by more, but a win is a win,” Sumo-Karngbaye said after the game.

Doeren also acknowledged that this was not an ideal performance by NC State, but picking up the win was the most important part of the weekend, and the program accomplished that.

“There’s no such thing as an ugly win,” Doeren insisted. “Nobody discredits you for winning a football game at the end of the season in any form or fashion.”

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