2023 Season-In-Review

Record: 9-4, Loss vs. Kansas State in Pop-Tarts Bowl (28-19)

It was a strong finish for N.C. State against some of the top talent in the ACC. The Wolfpack did not shy away from competition in 2023, playing Notre Dame and Duke early on. After a loss dropped N.C. State to 4-3, it would rattle off five consecutive victories to end the season. The Wolfpack would march into their bowl game against a strong Kansas State team and lose a tight one.

Offense: Comfortable Anae hits stride

Robert Anae took the reins at N.C. State as the offensive coordinator at the beginning of the 2023 season and it took some adjustments for the unit. During the team’s five-game winning streak to end the year, Anae and his offense began taking shape. Now, it is expected for the team to be shaped better this time around and will do so with an experienced portal quarterback.

Coastal Carolina’s Grayson McCall will lead the Wolfpack this season and do so with a deep group of receivers. K.C. Concepcion was named the ACC’s Rookie of the Year in 2023 after totaling 71 catches for 839 yards and 10 touchdowns. Concepcion will be the primary playmaker but the Wolfpack also welcome in Noah Rogers from Ohio State.

Last season, N.C. State did not have a running back in the top two rushing leaders. Quarterback Brennan Armstrong led the team with 665 yards while Conception was second. This was a priority in the transfer portal and N.C. State landed Duke transfer Jordan Waters. This gives the team a new dimension that was missing last season.

It was a roller-coaster year for N.C. State last season but Anae is prepared to lead an experienced group now that he has hit feet wet. The Wolfpack will be an interesting team in the ACC that should find itself in the rankings over the course of the season.

Defense: New-look group hopes to replace losses

Payton Wilson and his 138 tackles are gone to the NFL but N.C. State is hoping to replace lost production with some new faces, especially at the linebacker position.

The Wolfpack will be starting three new linebackers. Caden Fordham will likely step into the middle while Sean Brown and Kelvin McBride have a chance to take a big step up in role. Brandon Cleveland will be a major piece along the defensive line as well.

Last season, N.C. State’s secondary came away with 17 interceptions, which led the ACC. Corner Aydan White will return to be the leader in the last line of defense but the team was hard at work in the portal once again looking to replace some big names. This includes transfers Donovan Kaufman, who is expected to play a big role at safety, and nickel Ja’Had Carter.

The defense for N.C. State has a chance to be special but it will take some new pieces coming together. More importantly, defensive coordinator Tony Gibson will have to find a way to use his best players in positions to make them successful.

2024 N.C. State Football Schedule

• Thursday, Aug. 29: vs. Western Carolina
• Saturday, Sept. 7: vs. Tennessee (Neutral Location)
• Saturday, Sept. 14: vs. Louisiana Tech
• Saturday, Sept. 21: at Clemson
• Saturday, Sept. 28: vs. Northern Illinois
• Saturday, Oct. 5: vs. Wake Forest
• Saturday, Oct. 12: vs. Syracuse
• Saturday, Oct. 19: at California
• Saturday, Nov. 2: vs. Stanford
• Saturday, Nov. 9: vs. Duke
• Saturday, Nov. 21: at Georgia Tech
• Saturday, Nov. 30: at North Carolina