Missing the season opener? How to watch, stream NC State football vs. Western Carolina
It’s finally game week for N.C. State football after months of anticipation.
The Wolfpack hosts FCS-level Western Carolina in the season opener, with the team seeking a Week 1 win and opportunity to see where it can improve ahead of its tougher matchups this fall.
N.C. State welcomes the Catamounts for the first time since 2019 — when head coach Dave Doeren and Co. walked away with a 44-27 win — and the first under WCU’s fourth-year head coach, Kerwin Bell.
The Pack enters the contest ranked No. 24 in the Associated Press Preseason Top 25, while the Catamounts are listed in the Top 25 of their respective FCS preseason rankings.
N.C. State is the heavy favorite, but the players are trying not to focus on that. They just want to get on the field and feel the spirit of the stadium — some for the first time.
Graduate transfer Grayson McCall will start, but freshman QB CJ Bailey said he can’t wait for game day.
“Fun fact: I’ve never been to an N.C. State game before, so I want to see how that feels,” Bailey said. “I want to feel the energy. I want to see the fans and have a good time. I want to run out (of) the tunnel and hear everybody stomping and everything.”
For fans unable to contribute to the game day atmosphere, here’s what to know about watching.
Kickoff time + TV channel for NC State’s Week 1 game
Fans can watch the game at 7 p.m. Thursday on the ACC Network.
Streaming options for Wolfpack, Catamounts matchup
Fans without cable can stream the game through DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and sling TV.
Western Carolina at NC State game and TV info
Teams: N.C. State Wolfpack (0-0) vs Western Carolina Catamounts (0-0)
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium, Raleigh
Date: Thursday, Aug. 29
Time: 7 p.m.
TV: ACC Network
Stream: DIRECTV Stream, fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, SlingTV
Betting line: U.S. sports books list N.C. State as a 33.5-point favorite.
Series history: The Wolfpack leads the Catamounts, 7-0, with the most recent game taking place in 2019. N.C. State beat WCU that year, 41-0. One of the program’s most historic games also came against Western Carolina in 1990, when the Pack won 67-0 and didn’t give up a single first down.
This story was originally published August 27, 2024 at 5:00 AM.
