GAME PREVIEW: Wolfpack Looks to Make Statement Against Pitt

NC STATE WOLFPACK vs. PITT PANTHERS

Kickoff: 3:30pm
Location: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh, NC
Television: ESPNU
Records: Wolfpack: 2-1 , Panthers: 3-0

The last two weekends NC State has been nearly perfect. Over those two contests the Pack has outscored it's opponents 110 - 21, however, both games were against far more inferior opponents. This week they take on a team on the other end of the spectrum. The Pitt Panthers have been billed as: strong, efficient and physical. They come to Raleigh with at 3-0 record and as a popular pick to be the Big East champion. The Wolfpack on the other hand is looking to make a statement. To show the nation that the ACC is not just a basketball conference, and that their strong finish last year was no fluke.

PENN CONNECTION
Not only does this match-up with Pitt mean a lot for the 2009 season, but the Wolfpack also hopes that it has repercussions far beyond. Pennsylvania has been a recruiting hotbed for quite some time and Tom O'Brien and the Wolfpack look to make a good impression with a win on Saturday. Three current player also hail from the Keystone State: Matt Kushner, Clem Johnson and Wayne Crawford. The coaching staff has pretty close ties as well, with defensive coordinator Mike Archer having coached with the Steelers, Dana Bible having been the offensive coordinator with the Eagles, Jerry Petercuskie being born there and coaching at Penn State, and defensive line coach Keith Willis having played for the Steelers.

RETURNING AT THE RIGHT TIME
Jake Vermiglio, Jamelle Eugene and Clem Johnson are all back in action this week, and not a moment too soon. With a big and physical defensive line, Vermiglio's size and experience will surely be needed if the Pack hopes to get their running game rolling. Speaking of running game, Eugene is back to help Toney Baker shoulder the load on the ground. Baker has been stellar all season long but the change of pace that Jamelle brings to the table will be key in keeping Pitt's front line honest. Lastly, the return of Clem Johnson is vital for a secondary that lacks experience. If the Wolfpack hope to tame the Panthers, these three will surely play big roles.

KEYS TO THE GAME: NC STATE
Stay physical. Pitt is coached by Dave Wannstedt (Cowboys, Bears, Dolphins), and Dave Wannstedt loves him some hard-nosed football. Pitt is going to hit and hit hard. It's up to NC State to take it, and hit them right back. The offensive line is going to
need to bring their "A" game because Pitt plays with some real big boys up front. They held Navy far below their rushing average, and have been stout against the run all season, so it will be up to Baker and Eugene to hit the holes fast and precise. A strong showing on the ground is important from the get-go as it will keep Pitt honest and unable to key on Wilson. Speaking of Wilson, the Pack's offense once again rests on his shoulders. He is without his key downfield target, Owen Spencer, who is out with a concussion. The good news is that he'll have a more than capable receiver in his place. Last week, Donald Bowens returned and got his feet wet with two catches for 17 yards. This weeks Bowens will be looked to for a little bit more. Out for over a season with a back injury followed by a knee injury, Donald is ready to pick up where he left off. In 2006 Bowens was the only true freshman to start a game for the Pack and as a sophomore he broke out, averaging a team best 15 yards per catch and giving the fans a glimpse of greatness as he he shredded the Virginia secondary on his way to 202 yards.

The Wolfpack defense will need to continue to impress if the Pack wants to slowdown the smashmouth running game that Pitt possesses. The defensive line will need to continuously create a new line of scrimmage and penetrate the pocket to disrupt the Pitt passing game, which is keyed by Senior, Bill Stull who has been good thus far. However, Stull is a drop-back passer who doesn't possess any real kind of dual threat. The real focus will need to be on Dion Lewis, who lately has been cleaning up touchdowns like they're going out of style. With three games in the books and on only 67 carries, Lewis has churned up nearly 400 yards and has already made 5 house calls. He runs behind a gigantic offensive line and a 6'2, 260lbs fullback, Henry Hynoski, who have literally steamrolled their opponents, but say what you want, they haven't yet faced a defense as potent as the Wolfpack's. Through three games, the Pack is sporting the number one defense in the ACC, and the 2nd best defense in the nation, and it's not as if they haven't faced any competition. They only allowed a respectable 256 yards and a mere seven points to a South Carolina team that went out and dropped a 37 spot on #21 ranked Georgia, and just recently up-ended the #4 ranked team in the nation, Ole Miss.

Three games is not an ample sample size to truly tell what this NC State team is capable of, but Saturday, when the final second ticks off of the clock on the Carter-Finley facade, we, and the rest of the nation will have a better idea of just how good this Wolfpack team really is.