NC State redshirt freshman quarterback Devin Leary throws a pass during game against North Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. UNC (6-6, 4-4 ACC) defeated NCST (4-8, 1-7 ACC) 41-10.
Sports

NC State Football Moves Opener to Sept. 2

Landon Bost

RALEIGH, N.C. – NC State football moved its season opener against the Louisville Cardinals up one day to Wednesday,  Sept. 2, to avoid logistical conflicts with the 146th Kentucky Derby.

“Because of the nationwide pandemic, the 146th Kentucky Derby Weekend, originally set for April 30 through May 2 in Louisville, was pushed back to Sept. 3-5 and coincided with Louisville’s home opener,” stated NC State Athletics in a press release this morning.

“Thursday of Derby week has become known as “Thurby,” a traditionally highly attended event.”

NC State redshirt freshman quarterback Devin Leary throws a pass during game against North Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. UNC (6-6, 4-4 ACC) defeated NCST (4-8, 1-7 ACC) 41-10.
NC State redshirt freshman quarterback Devin Leary throws a pass during the game against North Carolina at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C., on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. UNC (6-6, 4-4 ACC) defeated NCST (4-8, 1-7 ACC) 41-10.

According to the statement, NC State and Louisville mutually agreed to move the game, originally scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 3, up one day because of the proximity of the events.

Cardinal Stadium and Churchill Downs are neighboring venues on Central Ave. in Louisville, Ky., and Cardinal Stadium is used for parking during The Derby.

The matchup with Louisville will be NC State’s first season-opening away game since 2008 when they lost 34-0 against the South Carolina Gamecocks in Columbia, S.C.

Kickoff time is to be determined. The NCAA Division I Council approved a 6-week practice plan last week to give schools a roadmap going forward amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

The fate of the 2020 college football season is still up in the air as numerous players have tested positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks as they return to campus for workouts.

NC State finished 4-8 (1-7 ACC) in 2019 and had a losing season for the first time since 2013, Dave Doeren’s first year as head coach.

(Feature image courtesy of Landon Bost)