N.C. State's open date last week, coach Tom O’Brien focused the defense almost exclusively on the fundamentals of tackling.

WHAT: Catawba vs. N.C. State at Reynolds Coliseum

Linebacker Nate Irving, who made 10 tackles Saturday against Duke after missing three of the previous four games with an ankle injury, didn't shed any light Monday on whether he will consider leaving N.C. State after this season for the NFL draft.

College football:The annual N.C. State at North Carolina rivalry game on Nov. 22 will kick off at noon and will be broadcast regionally by Raycom, the ACC announced Monday.

INSIDE THE GAME

A lone ACC victory felt like a blessing to N.C. State's football team after it beat Duke 27-17 on Saturday.

Nate Irving made it look so easy.

Duke coach David Cutcliffe joked that he will hand out blue T-shirts if it's necessary to keep the stands at Wallace Wade Stadium from filling with fans wearing N.C. State red today.

In N.C. State's exhibition basketball opener Thursday night against Fort Valley State, Courtney Fells looked perfectly comfortable at his new position. He led N.C. State with 21 points in a 94-65 win at Reynolds Coliseum.

Sometimes during film study, N.C. State sophomore Owen Spencer indulges. He will cue up one of his touchdown catches, sit back, and enjoy watching himself fulfilling his goals.

College notes:Three players, including standout linebacker Nate Irving, will return from injury for N.C. State on Saturday against Duke, football coach Tom O'Brien said after practice Thursday.

Three players, including standout linebacker Nate Irving, will return from injury for N.C. State on Saturday against Duke, coach Tom O’Brien said after practice Thursday.

N.C. State needs to close with four straight wins to become bowl eligible but freshman wide receiver T.J. Graham says the Wolfpack hasn't given up on the postseason.

J.P. Giglio and Caulton Tudor talk about the renewal of the Duke-N.C. State rivalry and dig into the Tar Heels' next game.

Junior forward Brandon Costner, who missed the Red & White game with a sprained ankle, returns to lead the Wolfpack.

J.P. Giglio and Caulton Tudor tackle this week's questions, including Duke's chances against the rest of the Big Four and which bowls are targeting UNC.

The NBA season tips off tonight with 59 players from the ACC on the active rosters, according to nba.com.

N.C. State's Ben McCauley talks about losing weight, his role in the offense and how his teammates are doing.

For the second straight season, North Carolina is the unanimous No.1 selection in the ACC's preseason men's basketball poll.

ESPN360.com is offering live streaming of about 50 ACC men's and eight women's basketball games this season, and a couple of others of regional interest.