NC State opens as 3-score favorite against Louisiana Tech
Coming off a 51-10 loss to Tennessee, NC State has turned the page to a home clash with Louisiana Tech this weekend at Carter-Finley Stadium.
And as the Pack looks to move past the blowout defeat in Charlotte, it has an opportunity to right the ship as a 21.5-point favorite against Louisiana Tech, according to Action Network.
NC State has yet to cover the spread this fall. The Wolfpack was a 33.5-point favorite in Week 1 against Western Carolina (it won by 17) and it was a 9.5-underdog against Tennessee (it lost by 41).
Graduate quarterback Grayson McCall has thrown for 422 yards and a trio of touchdowns, all to sophomore wide receiver Kevin “KC” Concepcion, on 41-of-62 passing in his first two NC State games. Concepcion, the reigning ACC Rookie of the Year, has caught 14 passes for 174 yards to go with his trips to the end zone.
Junior tight end Justin Joly has caught nine passes for 105 yards, an average of 11.7 yards per reception. Ohio State transfer Noah Rogers has added four receptions for 50 yards as well.
In addition to the passing attack, Pack graduate running back Jordan Waters has 120 rushing yards with two touchdowns on 27 attempts. Redshirt freshman back Hollywood Smothers has added 64 yards on the ground on just nine carries this fall.
Louisiana Tech, meanwhile, has played just one game in the 2024 season as it is coming off a Week 2 open date. The Bulldogs beat Nicholls State 25-17 in their season opener.
The Bulldogs are led by quarterback Jack Turner, who left the season opener early with an injury and his status is unclear for the NC State matchup. His backup is Blake Baker, who was 12-of-24 passing for 207 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions against Nicholls.
Marlion Jackson hauled in three receptions for 76 yards in the Week 1 win, while Jay Wilkerson had a trio of catches for 64 yards to help power the Bulldogs.
Louisiana Tech’s run game is paced by Marquis Crosby, who logged nine carries for 44 yards against Nicholls. Donerio Davenport logged 10 attempts for 27 yards as the Bulldogs’ No. 2 back.
