NC State vs. Western Carolina live pregame update blog
NC State football, the No. 24 team in the country, kicks off its 2024 season Thursday evening. Western Carolina is in town for the Wolfpack’s annual clash with an FCS program.
The Catamounts finished last year with a 7-4 record and, despite a few key transfer portal departures, including the team’s leading rusher and receiver, NC State’s opponent still returns some playmakers on from one of the league’s top offenses.
After winning 9 games in 2023, the media voted the Pack to finish fourth in the conference’s preseason poll. The program’s season opener will kick off around 7 p.m. ET, and the ACC Network will broadcast the contest.
In the hours leading up to kickoff, TheWolfpacker.com will share updates on any notable events from pregame warmups.
Live pregame updates from NC State vs. Western Carolina
7:08
NC State just wrapped up pregame warmups after huddling around Devon Betty, who delivered an impassioned speech before heading back into the locker room.
7:05
It appears Aiden Arias is the Pack’s FG/XP long snapper and Jake Mann will handle the punt long snapping duties, per Noah Fleischman.
6:50
Wolfpack graduate safety Devan Boykin is on the field in sweats today, as expected. He’s recovering from an ACL injury. Boykin just jogged across the field during warmups to get to his position group.
6:43
NC State brought a few recruits out to midfield during warmups to talk to Dave Doeren, including elite ’27 safety Marquis Bryant. They spoke for a couple of minutes while walking off the field.
6:42
A cool pregame moment: KC Concepcion and Hollywood Smothers, former high school teammates, found each other and took a moment to hype each other up during warmups. This will be their first game back together in CFS since winning a state championship here in the 2020-21 season.
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6:26
6:18
NC State vs. Western Carolina will now kickoff at 7:32 p.m.. This is 32 minute delay due to lightning in the area.
5:59
Fans are exiting the stands after a lightning strike within 8 miles of the stadium. With just over an hour until kickoff, it’s possible the game could be delayed. Some fans are hanging out under the overhang of Carter-Finley Stadium’s upper deck.
5:52
The Carter-Finley Stadium gates are open, and NC State’s students are starting to pour into the stands.
5:12
The Wolfpack just took the field for warmups. Junior tight end Justin Joly, freshman quarterback CJ Bailey and freshman wide receiver Terrell Anderson are a few of the first players out on the field Thursday.
4:46
NC State is here for its week one clash.
4:30
Western Carolina has arrived at Carter-Finley Stadium, and a few Catamounts are out on the field taking in the scene. NC State’s buses are on their way over to the Murphy Center as well.
3:59
Checking in from Carter-Finley Stadium. The ACC Network crew is on site today to host a live show. Conference commissioner Jim Phillips is also expected to attend tonight’s contest.
3:57
Plenty of fans were already out in droves to tailgate more than three hours before the game.
12:54
Make sure you’re leaving early enough to account for today’s traffic!