KEY MATCHUP: N.C. State’s rushing defense vs. Virginia QB Bryce Perkins. The Wolfpack will have to control Perkins, who has been dynamic at times for the Cavaliers. This will be the first time N.C. State faces him or a Virginia team under the direction of the current Cavaliers coaching staff. Perkins’ versatility has been compared to former Louisville QB Lamar Jackson, who faced N.C. State annually as a division rival. “It’s going to be a great challenge for our guys,” coach Dave Doeren said. “We have done well in the past against Lamar and we have not done well in the past against Lamar.”
DRAFT SLANT
–QB Ryan Finley stayed for his final year of eligibility so he’ll want to show that he can still make progress as his draft stock could soar this season if the offseason expectations are any indication. There would have been a showdown of sorts with West Virginia QB Will Grier on the other sideline until that game was nixed amid hurricane concerns. Finley has been solid through three games with five touchdown throws and one interception. Among quarterbacks from schools in Power 5 conferences, only two returnees had more than Finley’s 3,518 passing yards last year. He had a completion rate of better than 65 percent last year (and 68.6 so far this season).
ROSTER REPORT
–TE Cary Angeline made a much-anticipated N.C. State debut in the Marshall game, though he was without a catch. He’s a transfer from USC who had to sit until after mid-September.
–C Joe Sculthorpe played the entire game at left guard, switching from his natural position of center.
–OG Terronne Prescod was out with an injury against Marshall, but coach Dave Doeren is optimistic that he’ll be available for the Virginia game.
–RB Ricky Person has been out for two weeks with a hamstring injury. He’s more likely to practice this week, coach Dave Doeren said, but he might not be ready for game action. He had been shut down for two weeks so returning to full speed could take time.
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