Preview: NC State/Louisville

A three game skid, zero conference wins in their last 11 ACC outings and seven suspended players unavailable for this Saturday ‘s road game in Kentucky.   As this Wolfpack team tries to fight its way out of its death spiral, precious time to do so is slipping away. With only five games remaining,  NC State must win at least 2 more to become bowl eligible.  This does not guarantee a holiday bowl, but at least it is a step in the right direction.   For a program that showed so much promise a few weeks ago, its disappointing to have to scrape up wins down the stretch. However, there is still time to catch fire and get on a roll.  For that to happen, it has to begin with Louisville.

Tomorrow at Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium in Louisville, KY conference newcomer Louisville Cardinals (5-2, 3-2) will host NC State Wolfpack (4-3, 0-3).  Louisville is coming off a 23-17 loss at Clemson last week that could have easily gone the other way had the Cardinals not given away points.  Clemson scored 14 of their 23 point off two costly Louisville blunders: a 72- yard punt return and an end zone fumble.

This will be the first meeting between the two teams since their 2011 Belk Bowl game won by the Wolfpack 31-24 in Charlotte.  Overall, Louisville leads the series 3-1.

More from North Carolina State Wolfpack

• NC Colleges Provide Coronavirus Results from Athletic Departments
• Four North Carolina players selected in first round of MLB Draft
• N.C. State basketball announces staff changes
• N.C. State Football: Wolfpack lands Top 10 quarterback in 2021
• Should N.C. State fans be mad at Doeren over Will Shipley?

The Pack will be without the services of starters Jerod Fernandez (LB) and Josh Jones (S) who were part of the seven players suspended for a BB gun shooting incident at an off campus residence.

Louisville will start sophomore quarterback Will Gardner for the first time this season. Head coach Bobby Petrino said he expected to also utilize freshman QB Reggie Bonnafon who struggled against Clemson.

On defense Louisville hopes to continue their opportunistic ways as they have intercepted 14 passes to lead the nation with Boise State.   The defense has not given up a touchdown in its last 17 quarters and has carried the team as they fought through their own offensive struggles.

For the Wolfpack to have a chance they have got to get Jacoby Brissett and the running game back on track. Statistically, Louisville is a better defense than the one the Pack saw at Clemson who shut them out 41-0.  It’s going to take a complete team effort and a good defensive performance to bring a win back to Raleigh.

Game time: 3:30pm
TV: ESPN3