2026 NC State Wolfpack football team

The 2026 NC State Wolfpack football team represents North Carolina State University as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 2026 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolfpack are led by Dave Doeren in his 14th season as their head coach. They play their home games at Carter–Finley Stadium located in Raleigh, North Carolina.

ConferenceAtlantic Coast Conference

Record3–3 (1–2 ACC)

Headcoach

Dave Doeren (14th season)

OffensivecoordinatorKurt Roper (2nd season)

Quick facts NC State Wolfpack football, Conference ...

2026 NC State Wolfpack football

Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Record	3–3 (1–2 ACC)
Head coach	Dave Doeren (14th season)
Offensive coordinator	Kurt Roper (2nd season)
Offensive scheme	Power spread
Defensive coordinator	D. J. Eliot (2nd season)
Co-defensive coordinator	Charlton Warren (2nd season)
Base defense	Multiple 3–4
Home stadium	Carter–Finley Stadium
Seasons ← 2025 2027 →

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More information Conf., Overall ...

2026 Atlantic Coast Conference football standings
v t e
Team	W		L	W		L
No. 1 Miami (FL)	4	–	0	6	–	0
No. 17 Wake Forest	4	–	1	6	–	1
No. 23 SMU	3	–	1	5	–	1
Clemson	2	–	1	4	–	2
North Carolina	2	–	1	4	–	2
Louisville	3	–	2	4	–	3
Pittsburgh	2	–	2	5	–	2
Virginia Tech	2	–	2	5	–	2
Virginia	2	–	2	4	–	3
California	2	–	2	3	–	4
Georgia Tech	1	–	2	2	–	4
Duke	1	–	2	4	–	2
Boston College	1	–	2	3	–	3
NC State	1	–	2	3	–	3
Florida State	1	–	3	3	–	4
Stanford	1	–	3	3	–	4
Syracuse	0	–	4	2	–	4
Championship: December 5, 2026
As of October 19, 2026 Rankings from AP poll

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Schedule

The Week 0 game on August 29 against Virginia was initially scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Due to issues with hosting the event in Brazil, the game was moved to Charlottesville, Virginia.^[1]

More information Date, Time ...

Date	Time	Opponent	Site	TV	Result	Attendance
August 29	3:30 p.m.	at Virginia	Scott Stadium Charlottesville, VA	ESPN/ACCN	L 8–34	62,779
September 11	7:00 p.m.	Richmond*	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC	ESPNU	W 73–0	56,919
September 19	12:45 p.m.	at Vanderbilt*	FirstBank Stadium Nashville, TN	SECN	L 31–35	35,000
September 26	7:30 p.m.	Appalachian State*	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC	ESPNU	W 41–31	56,919
October 3	3:30 p.m.	Louisville	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC	ACCN	W 31–28	56,919
October 10	Noon	Wake Forest	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC (rivalry)	The CW	L 14–38	56,919
October 23	10:30 p.m.	at Stanford	Stanford Stadium Stanford, CA	ESPN
October 31	Noon	California	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC	ACCN
November 7		Duke	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC (rivalry)
November 14		Syracuse	Carter–Finley Stadium Raleigh, NC
November 21		at Florida State	Doak Campbell Stadium Tallahassee, FL
November 28		at North Carolina	Kenan Stadium Chapel Hill, NC (rivalry)
*Non-conference game Homecoming All times are in Eastern time

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^[2]^[3]

Game summaries

at Virginia

NC State Wolfpack (0–0) at Virginia Cavaliers (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolfpack	0	0	8	0	8
Cavaliers	10	7	7	10	34

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at Scott Stadium • Charlottesville, Virginia

Date: August 29
Game time: 3:30 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 83 °F (28 °C) • Wind: SW 5 mph
Game attendance: 62,779
Referee: Nate Black
TV announcers (ESPN): Wes Durham, Max Browne, and Madison Fitzpatrick

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter UVA – Will Bettridge 47-yard field goal, 5:11. Cavaliers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:47. UVA – Xavier Brown 1-yard run (Will Bettridge kick), 2:37. Cavaliers 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 2:06. Second quarter UVA – Xavier Brown 45-yard pass from Beau Pribula (Will Bettridge kick), 11:26. Cavaliers 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 4:18. Third quarter UVA – Da'Shawn Martin 47-yard pass from Beau Pribula (Will Bettridge kick), 13:35. Cavaliers 24–0. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:25. NCSU – Will Wilson 1-yard run (CJ Bailey–Deandre Desinor pass), 4:59. Cavaliers 24–8. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 5:24. Fourth quarter UVA – Xay Davis 1-yard run (Will Bettridge kick), 7:44. Cavaliers 31–8. Drive: 23 plays, 75 yards, 12:15. UVA – Will Bettridge 42-yard field goal, 4:26. Cavaliers 34–8. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:11.

Game information

First quarter

UVA – Will Bettridge 47-yard field goal, 5:11. Cavaliers 3–0. Drive: 7 plays, 31 yards, 3:47.
UVA – Xavier Brown 1-yard run (Will Bettridge kick), 2:37. Cavaliers 10–0. Drive: 4 plays, 32 yards, 2:06.

Second quarter

UVA – Xavier Brown 45-yard pass from Beau Pribula (Will Bettridge kick), 11:26. Cavaliers 17–0. Drive: 7 plays, 77 yards, 4:18.

Third quarter

UVA – Da'Shawn Martin 47-yard pass from Beau Pribula (Will Bettridge kick), 13:35. Cavaliers 24–0. Drive: 3 plays, 75 yards, 1:25.
NCSU – Will Wilson 1-yard run (CJ Bailey–Deandre Desinor pass), 4:59. Cavaliers 24–8. Drive: 9 plays, 60 yards, 5:24.

Fourth quarter

UVA – Xay Davis 1-yard run (Will Bettridge kick), 7:44. Cavaliers 31–8. Drive: 23 plays, 75 yards, 12:15.
UVA – Will Bettridge 42-yard field goal, 4:26. Cavaliers 34–8. Drive: 4 plays, 8 yards, 2:11.

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More information Statistics, NCSU ...

Statistics	NCSU	UVA
First downs	10	18
Plays–yards	51–168	68–413
Rushes–yards	24–76	57–258
Passing yards	92	155
Passing: comp–att–int	15–27–1	9–11–0
Turnovers	2	0
Time of possession	21:56	38:04

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NC State	Passing	CJ Bailey	12/23, 84 yards, INT
	Rushing	CJ Bailey	10 carries, 33 yards
	Receiving	Vander Ploog	2 receptions, 25 yards
Virginia	Passing	Beau Pribula	9/11, 155 yards, 2 TD
	Rushing	Beau Pribula	15 carries, 110 yards
	Receiving	Xavier Brown	2 receptions, 58 yards, TD

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vs. Richmond (FCS)

Richmond Spiders (FCS) (2–0) at NC State Wolfpack (0–1) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Spiders (FCS)	0	0	0	0	0
Wolfpack	21	28	14	10	73

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at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: September 11
Game time: 7:00 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 86 °F (30 °C) • Wind: SW 3 mph
Game attendance: 56,919
Referee: Riley Johnson
TV announcers (ESPNU): Jay Alter and Tom Luginbill

More information Game information ...

Game information
First quarter NCSU – Davion Gause 19-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 11:21. Wolfpack 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:48. NCSU – Jayden Scott 65-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 10:44. Wolfpack 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 65 yards, 0:11. NCSU – Jayden Scott 7-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 1:01. Wolfpack 21–0. Drive: 13 plays, 86 yards, 7:08. Second quarter NCSU – CJ Bailey 1-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 11:33. Wolfpack 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 2:43. NCSU – Will Wilson 1-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 8:30. Wolfpack 35–0. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:05. NCSU – Preston Douglas 15-yard pass from CJ Bailey (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 6:23. Wolfpack 42–0. Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:01. NCSU – Will Wilson 1-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 0:24. Wolfpack 49–0. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 1:18. Third quarter NCSU – Will Wilson 5-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 9:04. Wolfpack 56–0. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 5:56. NCSU – Hunter Provience 3-yard pass from Will Wilson (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 4:12. Wolfpack 63–0. Drive: 2 plays, 54 yards, 0:54. Fourth quarter NCSU – Kanoah Vinesett 45-yard field goal, 6:31. Wolfpack 66–0. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 10:13. NCSU – Dylan McCoy 51-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 1:49. Wolfpack 73–0. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:17.

Game information

First quarter

NCSU – Davion Gause 19-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 11:21. Wolfpack 7–0. Drive: 4 plays, 77 yards, 1:48.
NCSU – Jayden Scott 65-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 10:44. Wolfpack 14–0. Drive: 1 play, 65 yards, 0:11.
NCSU – Jayden Scott 7-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 1:01. Wolfpack 21–0. Drive: 13 plays, 86 yards, 7:08.

Second quarter

NCSU – CJ Bailey 1-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 11:33. Wolfpack 28–0. Drive: 5 plays, 42 yards, 2:43.
NCSU – Will Wilson 1-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 8:30. Wolfpack 35–0. Drive: 5 plays, 71 yards, 2:05.
NCSU – Preston Douglas 15-yard pass from CJ Bailey (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 6:23. Wolfpack 42–0. Drive: 3 plays, 50 yards, 1:01.
NCSU – Will Wilson 1-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 0:24. Wolfpack 49–0. Drive: 8 plays, 86 yards, 1:18.

Third quarter

NCSU – Will Wilson 5-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 9:04. Wolfpack 56–0. Drive: 11 plays, 66 yards, 5:56.
NCSU – Hunter Provience 3-yard pass from Will Wilson (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 4:12. Wolfpack 63–0. Drive: 2 plays, 54 yards, 0:54.

Fourth quarter

NCSU – Kanoah Vinesett 45-yard field goal, 6:31. Wolfpack 66–0. Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 10:13.
NCSU – Dylan McCoy 51-yard run (Kanoah Vinesett kick), 1:49. Wolfpack 73–0. Drive: 5 plays, 68 yards, 2:17.

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More information Statistics, RICH ...

Statistics	RICH	NCSU
First downs	6	31
Plays–yards	49–110	69–734
Rushes–yards	22–34	45–448
Passing yards	76	306
Passing: comp–att–int	8–27–1	18–24–0
Turnovers	1	0
Time of possession	22:17	37:43

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Richmond	Passing	Ashten Snelsire	8/23, 76 yards, INT
	Rushing	Warrick Stephenson	14 carries, 58 yards
	Receiving	Michael Creamer	1 reception, 23 yards
NC State	Passing	CJ Bailey	13/17, 281 yards, TD
	Rushing	Jayden Scott	9 carries, 128 yards, 2 TD
	Receiving	Keenan Jackson	4 receptions, 123 yards

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at Vanderbilt

The Commodores overcame a 24–7 deficit in the third quarter. After falling behind early, they rallied to make it a three point game late in the fourth and got the ball back with less than a minute to play. However, they threw a pick at the goal line with less than 30 seconds left, giving NC State the ball back. With six seconds left, NC State attempted to take a safety to run out the clock, but CJ Bailey fumbled the ball in the end zone. Vanderbilt recovered in the end zone for a touchdown to complete the comeback and improve to 3–0.^[4] The play is known as the "Music City Miracle II" or the "Music City Miscue".

NC State Wolfpack (1–1) at Vanderbilt Commodores (2–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolfpack	14	3	7	7	31
Commodores	0	7	7	21	35

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at FirstBank Stadium • Nashville, Tennessee

Date: September 19
Game time: 11:47 a.m. CDT
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 93 °F (34 °C)
Game attendance: 35,000
Referee: Mike Roche
TV announcers (SECN): Taylor Zarzour, Matt Stinchcomb, and Michella Chester
Report: Official report

More information Statistics, NCSU ...

Statistics	NCSU	VAN
First downs	25	20
Plays–yards	79–446	58–409
Rushes–yards	41–166	24–132
Passing yards	280	277
Passing: comp–att–int	26–38–1	20–34–2
Time of possession	35:49	24:11

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NC State	Passing	CJ Bailey	25/37, 275 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Jayden Scott	16 carries, 51 yards
	Receiving	Keenan Jackson	9 receptions, 102 yards, 3 TD
Vanderbilt	Passing	Jared Curtis	20/34, 277 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
	Rushing	Jared Curtis	12 carries, 64 yards
	Receiving	Junior Sherrill	6 receptions, 108 yards, 2 TD

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vs. Appalachian State

Appalachian State Mountaineers (3–0) at NC State Wolfpack (1–2) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Mountaineers	0	10	7	14	31
Wolfpack	14	14	3	10	41

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at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: September 26
Game time: 7:30 p.m.
Game weather: Sunny • Temperature: 70 °F (21 °C)
Game attendance: 56,919
Referee: Justin Elliott
TV announcers (ESPNU): Jason Ross Jr. and Tyoka Jackson

More information Statistics, APP ...

Statistics	APP	NCSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Appalachian State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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vs. Louisville

Louisville Cardinals (2–2) at NC State Wolfpack (2–2) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Cardinals	0	7	14	7	28
Wolfpack	3	10	15	3	31

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at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: October 3
Game time: 3:30 p.m.
Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 78 °F (26 °C)
Game attendance: 56,919
Referee: Darryl Deberry
TV announcers (ACCN): Justin Kutcher, Max Browne, and Madison Fitzpatrick

More information Statistics, LOU ...

Statistics	LOU	NCSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Louisville	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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vs. Wake Forest (rivalry)

Wake Forest Demon Deacons (4–1) at NC State Wolfpack (3–2) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Demon Deacons	7	3	21	7	38
Wolfpack	7	7	0	0	14

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at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: October 10
Game time: Noon
Game weather: Rain • Temperature: 65 °F (18 °C) • Wind: NE at 10 miles per hour (16 km/h)
Game attendance: 56,919
Referee: Garrett Dickerson
TV announcers (CW): Thom Brennaman, Jason Cabinda, and Wes Bryant

More information Statistics, WAKE ...

Statistics	WAKE	NCSU
First downs	22	16
Plays–yards	69–387	64–258
Rushes–yards	36–84	24–15
Passing yards	303	243
Passing: comp–att–int	26–33–0	29–40–0
Turnovers	0	1
Time of possession	31:57	28:30

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Wake Forest	Passing	Gio Lopez	26/33, 303 yards, 3 TD
	Rushing	Deuce Lawrence	8 carries, 46 yards, TD
	Receiving	Jack Foley	8 receptions, 156 yards, TD
NC State	Passing	CJ Bailey	28/39, 241 yards, TD
	Rushing	Davion Gause	7 carries, 11 yards
	Receiving	Keenan Jackson	5 receptions, 61 yards

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at Stanford

NC State Wolfpack (3–3) at Stanford Cardinal (3–4) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolfpack	0	0	0	0	0
Cardinal	0	0	0	0	0

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at Stanford Stadium • Stanford, California

Date: October 23
Game time: 10:30 p.m.
TV: ESPN

More information Statistics, NCSU ...

Statistics	NCSU	STAN
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Stanford	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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vs. California

California Golden Bears (0–0) at NC State Wolfpack (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Golden Bears	0	0	0	0	0
Wolfpack	0	0	0	0	0

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at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: October 31
Game time: Noon
TV: ACCN

More information Statistics, CAL ...

Statistics	CAL	NCSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
California	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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vs. Duke

Duke Blue Devils (0–0) at NC State Wolfpack (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Blue Devils	0	0	0	0	0
Wolfpack	0	0	0	0	0

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at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: November 7
Game time: TBD

More information Statistics, DUKE ...

Statistics	DUKE	NCSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Duke	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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vs. Syracuse

Syracuse Orange (0–0) at NC State Wolfpack (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Orange	0	0	0	0	0
Wolfpack	0	0	0	0	0

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at Carter–Finley Stadium • Raleigh, North Carolina

Date: November 14
Game time: TBD

More information Statistics, SYR ...

Statistics	SYR	NCSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
Syracuse	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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at Florida State

NC State Wolfpack (0–0) at Florida State Seminoles (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolfpack	0	0	0	0	0
Seminoles	0	0	0	0	0

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at Doak Campbell Stadium • Tallahassee, Florida

Date: November 21
Game time: TBD

More information Statistics, NCSU ...

Statistics	NCSU	FSU
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
Florida State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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at North Carolina

NC State Wolfpack (0–0) at North Carolina Tar Heels (0–0) – Game summary

More information Quarter, Total ...

Quarter	1	2	3	4	Total
Wolfpack	0	0	0	0	0
Tar Heels	0	0	0	0	0

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at Kenan Stadium • Chapel Hill, North Carolina

Date: November 28
Game time: TBD

More information Statistics, NCSU ...

Statistics	NCSU	UNC
First downs
Plays–yards
Rushes–yards
Passing yards
Passing: comp–att–int
Time of possession

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More information Team, Category ...

Team	Category	Player	Statistics
NC State	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving
North Carolina	Passing
	Rushing
	Receiving

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2026 NC State Wolfpack football team

Schedule

Game summaries

at Virginia

vs. Richmond (FCS)

at Vanderbilt

vs. Appalachian State

vs. Louisville

vs. Wake Forest (rivalry)

at Stanford

vs. California

vs. Duke

vs. Syracuse

at Florida State

at North Carolina

References

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Timelines

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