Tech's next opponent: N.C. State
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday
TV; radio: ABC/ESPN; 790, 106.7
N.C. State's record: 2-2, 0-1 ACC
Last time played: State quarterback Russell Wilson torched the Yellow Jackets for 368 passing yards with three touchdowns to lead the Wolfpack to a 45-28 win on Sept. 25, 2010. Converting just four of 14 third downs, Tech ran 66 plays to N.C. State's 81 and held the ball for a season-low 26:46.
N.C. State on offense: The Wolfpack has averaged a mere 2.8 yards per carry. With yardage from six sacks included, N.C. State had 22 carries for -26 yards in a 44-14 loss to Cincinnati last Thursday. With Russell having transferred to Wisconsin, quarterback Mike Glennon has completed 65.6 percent of his passes and averaged 269.8 yards per game.
N.C. State on defense: Like Tech, the Wolfpack has had difficulty getting opponents off the field. The Wolfpack's defensive third-down conversion rate is 47.5 percent, one point higher than the Jackets. Linebacker Audie Cole has either led or tied for most tackles on the team the past two seasons and is on track again. He has 45 tackles, including eight tackles for loss.
N.C. State on special teams: T.J. Graham, named an All-American sprinter for the Wolfpack indoor track team last year, is one of the most dangerous returners in the conference. If Tech kicks to him, it could be trouble as Jackets coverage teamshave had their share of difficulty thus far.
What you should know: Four of the Wolfpack's top eight defensive linemen are on the injured list, according to the Raleigh News & Observer. A walk-on, Jacob Kahut, will start at defensive tackle.
Coach: Tom O'Brien, 102-72 in his 15th season as a head coach, including 27-27 in his fifth year at State.
Ken Sugiura
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