The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
Issue link: https://comanpub.uberflip.com/i/1538921
TRACKING THE PACK NUMBERS AND QUOTES Sponsored by Colony Tire & Service www.colonytire.com PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE FOOTBALL 18 ■ THE WOLFPACKER He's like an elder owl that we all look up to. We all love Coach Ruff. He's probably one of the best people to ever walk through the facility. I'm actually so happy that I have Coach Ruff in my life. He's taught me so many things. He's talked to me so many times. He's made me, not only a better player, but a better person." — Tight end Justin Joly on Ruffin McNeill, special assistant to head coach Dave Doeren 10th NC State's predicted ACC finish in the con- ference's preseason football media poll. The Wolfpack received 1,505 points. Clemson was the overwhelming favorite of the media members, finishing with 3,083 points while garnering 167 of 183 first-place votes. 1ST PLACE Katharine Berkoff's finish in the women's 50-meter backstroke at the World Aquatics Championships on July 31 in Singapore. The former NC State national champ claimed the first individual gold medal of her international swimming career, finishing in 27.08 seconds to outpace fellow American Regan Smith (27.25) and Wan Letian of China (27.30). The 24-year-old Berkoff also won a bronze medal in the 100-meter backstroke at worlds when she finished in 58.15 seconds. 834 Yards from scrimmage by running back HOLLYWOOD SMOTHERS as a redshirt freshman last year. Smothers was recently named by ESPN.com as one of 43 "sleeper" players who could be headed for breakout seasons in 2025. It would be nice to have some kind of arrangement where there are rookie caps to protect teams from them- selves. I think a guy who's been on the team for three years, who's playing well and earned it on the field, should make more than a guy coming in the door. I think that's the proper way to do business." — Dave Doeren, making the case for a more heavily regulated approach to revenue sharing in college football 2 NC State players on Pro Football Focus' Pre- season All-ACC team. PFF saluted senior tight end JUSTIN JOLY and redshirt junior offensive tackle Jacarrius Peak. Joly, who led the Pack with 661 receiving yards last year, is also on the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, which goes to the nation's top tight end.