NC State vs Boston College: Pack will have shot at new home win streak against Eagles
N.C. State fans were chanting “MJ Morris, MJ Morris!” before the opening kickoff, as if already firm believers.
More importantly, the chant was heard in the final minutes of the game, as Morris and the Wolfpack were finishing off a 30-21 victory over Wake Forest — the Pack’s 16th consecutive win at Carter-Finley Stadium, tying the school record.
Myles Jameson Morris, known to all as MJ, passed for 210 yards and three touchdowns on a night when Carter-Finley was cooking. After the game, he popped up to the ACC Network set on the stadium concourse for an interview, soon to be followed by Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren.
Doeren ended his segment with the guys by noting some of his old college buddies from Drake were in town, smiling and saying he probably would still be up to see the Sunday sunrise.
Such was the emotion of Saturday night after perhaps the Pack’s most complete game of the season. There was much to celebrate, from a freshman quarterback again displaying his potential — that’s six TD passes in two games — to teammates making big plays to an inspired defense that picked off three Sam Hartman passes and held the explosive Demon Deacons to 21 points.
“It just takes everybody doing their jobs,” Morris said after the game. “It’s all about the next play. The next play is going to the best play. That’s the mindset you have to have.”
And now it’s back to work again. Next up: Boston College.
It will be Senior Day for the Wolfpack, which moved to No. 17 in the AP poll, but the setting Saturday will be different. The game has a 3:30 pm. start. It won’t be like starting and playing the whole game under the lights, with the red glow, when Carter-Finley seems louder and the noise more smothering and disruptive for opponents.
“Our fans were fantastic,” Doeren said Saturday. “The cheering, the noise, made a difference.”
Nor can the Pack (7-2, 3-2 ACC) assume a victory. The Eagles (2-7, 1-5) have lost four straight — including a dismal 10-point loss to Connecticut — after their 38-31 loss to Duke, but may have found their own offensive spark in a freshman quarterback.
With Phil Jurkovec out with a knee injury, Emmett Morehead made his first college start and was 27-of-45 passing for 330 yards and four scores against the Blue Devils. The Eagles did not have a turnover against Duke, which forced eight in its win over Miami before the BC game.
Game key: Wolfpack focus
A lot of players will be taking their last walk onto the Carter-Finley field before the game, being recognized, surrounded by family, filled with memories. Again, it will be emotional.
And Boston College couldn’t care less. The Eagles will be looking to pull their own upset, especially if the Pack is preoccupied mentally.
Doeren, like a lot of coaches, always emphasizes winning for the seniors. He’ll do it again Saturday, especially after how much this group of uppeclassmen has invested in the program and endured during the pandemic. The Pack won 16 straight at Carter-Finley under former coach Lou Holtz from 1972-75 but can claim that record with a victory.
“It’s big deal,” Doeren said. “I’d like to keep it going for a long time.”
Vegas betting odds
The Pack opened as a 17.5-point favorite and some oddsmakers quickly moved N.C. State to a 20.0-point pick.
NC State vs Boston College game and TV info
Who: Boston College Eagles (2-7, 1-5) at N.C. State Wolfpack (7-2, 3-2)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.
TV: ACC Network
This story was originally published November 7, 2022 at 6:40 AM.
