Writer - Garin Turner
After three straight home games, No. 17 Louisville Cardinals (4-1, 1-1 ACC) travel to Raleigh, NC to take on No. 24 NC State Wolfpack (4-1, 2-0 ACC). The game is tonight at 7pm central on ESPN. This contest marks the second game for both teams against a top 25 opponent. Louisville lost against defending national champion Clemson 47-21 three weeks ago. The Wolfpack beat then 12th ranked Florida State 27-21 two weeks ago in Tallahassee.
Since joining the conference in 2014, the Cardinals and Wolfpack have played every year including at 54-13 victory for the Cardinals last year. Louisville is 6-1 all-time including 2-0 in road games against the Wolfpack.
This is NC State's first time in the rankings this year after winning four-straight. The Wolfpack and Clemson are the only teams in the ACC who haven't lost a game in conference. For that to continue for the Wolfpack they'll try their hand at stopping reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.
Jackson in five games this season has completed 112-175 passes for 1,636 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions with a quarterback ranking of 163.6. Jackson has been equally as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm. He has 72 carries for 437 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Cardinals rushing attack. Jackson is 13 yards away from becoming the seventh player in ACC history to reach 10,000 career yards of total offense. He also needs 32 yards rushing to become the second player in school history to rush for 3,000 career yards.
Top WR Jaylen Smith will miss tonight's game as he continues to nurse a wrist injury. Other WR's have stepped up in his absence. Dez Fitzpatrick has 16 receptions for 280 yards and six touchdowns.
For the Wolfpack, their defense is ranked 8th in the FBS in rushing. They've only allowed 85.6 yards a game. Bradley Chubb will do his best to slow down the Louisville offense. Chubb has 29 tackles including 12 for a loss of 58 yards. He also leads the team in sacks with 5.5 and has forced a fumble.
QB Ryan Finely will look to continue his solid play on the season. He's 138-192 for 1,403 yards passing with nine touchdowns and most importantly zero interceptions. His QB rating is 148.7. He leads the ACC and is ranked 9th in the FBS in completion percentage with .719. In only 18 games at NC State Finely is ranked 9th in school history in career passing yards (4,462), and 9th in touchdowns (27).
The Wolpack have a solid running game as they've amassed 13 touchdowns in five games this season. Nyheim Hines leads the way with 82 carries for 411 yards and three touchdowns. Jaylen Samuels has the most touchdowns in the group with five. As a team, the Wolfpack have rushed for 841 yards.
Jon Greenard will lead the Cardinals in slowing down the rushing attack of the Wolfpack. Greenard has 32 tackles including 9.5 for a loss and also leads the team with 5 sacks. The Cardinals would love to force Finely to throw his first interception on the season. They have four different players with an interception on the season.
Since joining the conference in 2014, the Cardinals and Wolfpack have played every year including at 54-13 victory for the Cardinals last year. Louisville is 6-1 all-time including 2-0 in road games against the Wolfpack.
This is NC State's first time in the rankings this year after winning four-straight. The Wolfpack and Clemson are the only teams in the ACC who haven't lost a game in conference. For that to continue for the Wolfpack they'll try their hand at stopping reigning Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson.
Jackson in five games this season has completed 112-175 passes for 1,636 yards with 13 touchdowns and three interceptions with a quarterback ranking of 163.6. Jackson has been equally as dangerous with his legs as he is with his arm. He has 72 carries for 437 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Cardinals rushing attack. Jackson is 13 yards away from becoming the seventh player in ACC history to reach 10,000 career yards of total offense. He also needs 32 yards rushing to become the second player in school history to rush for 3,000 career yards.
Top WR Jaylen Smith will miss tonight's game as he continues to nurse a wrist injury. Other WR's have stepped up in his absence. Dez Fitzpatrick has 16 receptions for 280 yards and six touchdowns.
For the Wolfpack, their defense is ranked 8th in the FBS in rushing. They've only allowed 85.6 yards a game. Bradley Chubb will do his best to slow down the Louisville offense. Chubb has 29 tackles including 12 for a loss of 58 yards. He also leads the team in sacks with 5.5 and has forced a fumble.
QB Ryan Finely will look to continue his solid play on the season. He's 138-192 for 1,403 yards passing with nine touchdowns and most importantly zero interceptions. His QB rating is 148.7. He leads the ACC and is ranked 9th in the FBS in completion percentage with .719. In only 18 games at NC State Finely is ranked 9th in school history in career passing yards (4,462), and 9th in touchdowns (27).
The Wolpack have a solid running game as they've amassed 13 touchdowns in five games this season. Nyheim Hines leads the way with 82 carries for 411 yards and three touchdowns. Jaylen Samuels has the most touchdowns in the group with five. As a team, the Wolfpack have rushed for 841 yards.
Jon Greenard will lead the Cardinals in slowing down the rushing attack of the Wolfpack. Greenard has 32 tackles including 9.5 for a loss and also leads the team with 5 sacks. The Cardinals would love to force Finely to throw his first interception on the season. They have four different players with an interception on the season.