The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1532241
10 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY NOAH FLEISCHMAN T here weren't a lot of surprises for NC State when the ACC unveiled its full 2025 football schedule in a made-for-TV event Jan. 27. The Wolfpack knew which opponents it would be hosting next fall and had its first six dates locked in before the release. Still, the Pack now knows exactly what lies ahead in the coming year, when it will be looking to bounce back after going 6-7 this past season, only its third losing cam- paign in Dave Doeren's 12 years as head coach. Here are some early takeaways from the full unveiling of NC State's upcom- ing slate: Easiest Part In all honesty, it's the first three games. NC State opens the year at home on Aug. 28 against East Carolina in a rematch of the 2024 Military Bowl. The Wolfpack will be eager to avenge its 26-21 loss to the Pirates in Annapolis, Md., last December. Given its success at home in this series, there's plenty of reason for optimism. The Pack holds a 16-7 edge over East Carolina in games played in Raleigh, including a 34-6 win to open the 2019 season. In addition to affording NC State the unusual opportunity to face a nonconfer- ence opponent just eight months after playing it in a bowl game, the rematch with the Pirates will give first-year coor- dinator Kurt Roper a platform with which to debut his new-look offense. After its season opener, which will take place on a Thursday night, the Pack will have a few extra days to prepare for Vir- ginia in a nonconference matchup. The Cavaliers are expected to look very differ- ent after ending their 2024 season with a three-game losing streak that dropped their record to 5-7. Virginia will open the season against Coastal Carolina the Sat- urday prior, giving NC State an advantage when it comes to rest and game prepara- tion. Rounding out the opening trio of games is a road trip to Wake Forest on a short week, the team's second Thursday game in the first three weeks. The Demon Dea- cons are led by first-year coach Jake Dick- ert, who made the cross-country move from Washington State earlier this off- season. Wake Forest is going to feature a thoroughly overhauled roster in 2025, but NC State will have two games' worth of tape with which to prepare. T R A C K I N G THE THE PACK PACK 2025 Football Schedule Offers Challenges, Opportunities NC State will play seven games at Carter-Finley Stadium during the 2025 campaign, including its opener against East Carolina and its season-ending clash with rival North Carolina. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS