KEY MATCHUP N.C. State’s rushing defense vs. Boston College RB AJ Dillon. The Wolfpack has been mostly stingy along the front, allowing only 104.2 rushing yards per game. On top of that, N.C. State has yielded a league-low two rushing touchdowns all season. The longest run from scrimmage against the Wolfpack is logged at 26 yards. Boston College is bound to be determined to move the ball on the ground, primarily using Dillon, assuming he’s healthy after rolling an ankle last week. He’s averaging 130.4 rushing yards per game, marking a big reason why the Eagles churn out 243.4 yards per game on the ground.
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. Finley has been solid through four games with eight touchdown throws and one interception. Among quarterbacks from Power 5 schools, 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’s first catch for the Wolfpack resulted in a touchdown in the game against Virginia. It was his second game in action since he was eligible to play. The redshirt sophomore is a transfer from Southern California.
–OG Joe Schulthorpe graded out well and received some national recognition for his blocking in the Virginia game.
–S Dexter Wright registered an interception in the Virginia game. It was the redshirt senior’s first career pickoff.
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