GAME PREVIEW: Pack Looks To Keep Improving Against Gardner Webb

NC STATE WOLFPACK vs. GARDNER WEBB RUNNIN' BULLDOGS

Kickoff: 6pm (Saturday, Sept. 19)
Location: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Television: None
Records: Wolfpack (1-1) , Runnin' Bulldogs (2-0)

On Saturday the Wolfpack of NC State will host the Runnin' Bulldogs of Gardner Web, who sit atop the Big South Conference at 2-0. The Pack is coming off an absolutely dominant performance against Murray State. A game which saw the Pack hang 65 points, showing extreme offensive efficiency throughout.

The Runnin' Bulldogs have also shown some promise in their first two outings of the season, going 2-0 and notching a respectable 84 total points. Senior quarterback Stan Doolittle (GW all-time leader in completion % at .615) and the backfield tandem of Phillip Peoples and Patrick Hall balance out an offense that has been very productive in their first two contests, as Doolittle has already thrown for over 500 yards and three touchdowns this young season. Although Gardner Webb has been fairly impressive so far, it seems as if, like Murray State, the Runnin' Bulldogs will have trouble slowing down a Wolfpack team that seems to be gaining speed.

"PASSING" THE TEST
Led by the efficient Russell Wilson, NC State scored on their first 10 drives possessions last weekend and looked extremely sharp on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs look to not allow that type of production this week, which will start by containing the accurate and elusive Russell Wilson. While the GW defense has been very productive as a unit, allowing only 98 yards on the ground over their first two games, they haven't been able to contain the passing game. Western Carolina quarterback Zack Jaynes picked apart the Runnin' Bulldog secondary on his way to 277 yards and two scores. This week should be no different, as the Wolfpack welcome back their number one receiver, Donald Bowens, who has been sidelined since early 2008. With the physically dominant Bowens back, and the combination of Owen Spencer and Jarvis Williams starting to pick up steam, the Pack is beginning to look like a dangerous opponent when they put the ball in the air. Last week Wilson was precise with his passes, going for 228 yards and hooking up for 4 touchdowns.

2nd BEST DEFENSE IN THE NATION?
While the Wolfpack offense has been stellar thus far, it is the defense that has been the backbone of this team. Questions surrounded this unit because of the an inexperienced secondary and a linebacker corps that was without their superstar, Nate Irving. I guess you can say they've answered the call. The Pack defense is currently the 4th best defense in the nation when it comes to total yards allowed. According to STATS INC, NC state has given up a stingy 146 total yards. Only Arizona State, Louisville, and Tennessee have put up better marks. If you want to get technical, NC State is actually second behind only Tennessee for least amount of yards allowed through two games (Arizona State, and Louisville have only played one game each).

WILSON LOOKING TO BREAK RECORD
Sophomore quarterback, Russell Wilson, is only 32 passing attempts without an interception away from becoming the all-time NCAA leader in that category (Wilson currently sits at 293). After two very close calls in the third quarter last week, Wilson has the chance to eclipse the mark this week if the Pack decide to attack from the air. Andrew Woodson of Kentucky currently owns the record of 325 attempts without an interception.

WOLVES AND SWINE
The Wolfpack keep adding to the injury report this week as two players have been hit with the flu. The Charlotte Observer is reporting that it is, in fact, "H1N1," which is commonly referred to as the "Swine Flu." Julian Williams(OT) and Jay Smith(WR) have both been quarantined (either isolated in their rooms, or sent home) and are away from the rest of the team today, because an outbreak of the Swine flu could surely prove costly to the Wolfpack's season.

KEYS TO THE GAME
For the Wolfpack, taking care of business and staying focused will be the key. If they can limit turnovers, and run an efficient offense, the defense should do the rest. For Gardner Webb it's not as easy. Their key will be to shut down Russell Wilson. A task that few in the NCAA are capable of. They will need to continue to stop the run at the rate they have been, all while keeping pressure on the QB and forcing Wilson out of the pocket if they want to think about leaving Raleigh with a victory. The Wolfpack's team speed and overall athleticism should be enough to handle the Runnin' Bulldogs, but any sort of mental lapse and they could get bitten by the capable GW offense.