PREVIEW: NC State Football vs. UConn Huskies

Raleigh, NC- On Saturday, September 24th, the NC State Wolfpack (3-0) and the University of Connecticut Huskies (1-3) square off at Wayne Day Family Field at Carter-Finley Stadium. 

The two teams will face one another for the first time since 2012 and the third time overall. In their most recent game, the Wolfpack beat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 27–14. The Huskies recently lost to the Michigan Wolverines 59-0. NC State enters the UConn game with a 12-game winning streak at Carter-Finley Stadium. 

In terms of defense for the Wolfpack, they have given up 12.3 ppg in the season’s first quarter. Cornerback, Aydan White, enters

the UConn game tied for first in the ACC and the fifth in FBS in interceptions with two. This year, Devin Leary, their quarterback, is dispersing the ball for their attack. The Wolfpack has had passes caught by 17 different players.

This season, no other ACC team has completed as many passes to receivers. However, Leary has drawn criticism for not living up to expectations while leading the Wolfpack offense. 

Against the Red Raiders, Leary completed 15 of his 23 throws for just 121 yards or 5.3 yards per completion. He didn’t make any significant errors, but he also performed poorly against the Power Five defense, which was the first one he faced in 2022.

The Pack has recorded at least two interceptions in each of the first three games of
the season. No NC State team has accomplished a streak of three straight games with 2+ INTs since the final three games of the 2011 season.

NC State’s seven interceptions in the first three games of the season ties as the
fourth-most all-time.

For UConn, running back Nate Carter injured his shoulder against Michigan and is more than likely out for the game. The Huskies’ offensive backfield will suffer if running back Devontae Houston can’t play after sitting out the Michigan game.

Junior linebacker Jackson Mitchell is the Huskies’ top tackler and has twice this season matched his career-high for tackles in a game. 

Mitchell made 16 stops in the season opener at Utah State and then had 16 last Saturday night in the loss to Syracuse. It was the 10th time in his career he has recorded double-digit tackles in a game. Mitchell has 39 tackles on the season, 2.0 for a loss, 1.5 sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

This week’s game will mark football’s “Sustainable Wolfpack” game
for 2022. Sustainable Wolfpack is the NC State Athletics Initiative to utilize the passion of NC State fans to better the entire Wolfpack community, including environmentally and socially. Sustainable Wolfpack works to reduce waste, conserve energy, educate fans, and improve the overall health and wellness of our planet and people.

The Wolfpack won the last two game meetings between UConn and NC State in 2003 and 2012. Stay tuned to see who brings home the win on Saturday.