Hurricane, hype surround NC State's prep for one of biggest games in program history

By Brian Murphy, WRAL sports reporter

NC State head coach Dave Doeren has won a game in a hurricane.

He’d just prefer not to have to do it again.

Doeren’s 10th-ranked Wolfpack (4-0) visits No. 5 Clemson in a one of the biggest games in program history Saturday night, just as the remnants of Hurricane Ian are expected to be dumping rain on the Carolinas.

The Wolfpack memorably defeated Notre Dame 10-3 in Raleigh in 2016 in the middle of Hurricane Matthew. The water on the sidelines was calf deep, Doeren said, and the rain, at times, appeared to be falling sideways.

“I hope we don’t have to play in something like that Notre Dame game. That was nuts,” Doeren said. “We’ll be prepared if it is raining. Hopefully, it won’t be one of those things that has devastation that comes with it, either.

“Sometimes these things fizzle out. Sometimes, they get pretty strong. We’ll just have to see where it goes.”

Doeren said his chief of staff, Adam Clark, has been in touch with a local meteorologist to monitor the storm. Athletic director Boo Corrigan has also been having conversations about the potential impacts of the hurricane, including on the team’s travel to South Carolina. Doeren said the team would practice with wet balls to simulate rainy conditions.

In preparation for the 2016 game with Notre Dame, Doeren said his coaching staff mapped out how they could win a game without passing. The Wolfpack threw 14 passes in the game and rushed 51 times.

Hurricane Ian is expected to make U.S. landfall in the west coast of Florida on Wednesday. The storm, which is forecast to be a Category 4 hurricane, could bring heavy rain to Georgia and South Carolina next week.

It is an unwelcome story line for a game that has been circled for months between teams that were picked to be the top finishers in the ACC Atlantic Division. NC State beat Clemson 27-21 last season in Raleigh.

But the Tigers (4-0) have won 35 consecutive games in Clemson, the longest streak in school history and the longest current home winning streak in the nation.

The winner will have the inside track to the division title and a spot in the ACC Championship Game, though No. 22 Wake Forest (3-1), No. 23 Florida State (4-0) and surprising Syracuse (4-0) will have their say as well. Clemson defeated Wake Forest in double overtime on Saturday behind a strong game from quarterback DJ Uiagalelei.

ESPN’s College GameDay will broadcast from the site, and the game will kickoff in primetime.

“Two top-10 teams competing on a national state. This is why we do this,” Doeren said.

It is the first meeting of top-10 teams in NC State history. The Wolfpack are ranked in the top 10 for the first time in 20 years. It’s being billed, by some, as the biggest game in school history.

Doeren, in his 10th season at NC State, said he would leave that for others to decide.

“In my 10 years, I would say probably so,” Doeren said. “But, as far back as history, that’s a long time. I don’t want to step on anyone’s toes with that answer. But it’s a great opportunity against a great team and great venue. It’s everything you want as a coach and a player.”

Doeren has reminded his team, which showed great focus in crushing UConn on Saturday, that the spotlight is nice, but it’s not what’s most important.

“Enjoy the moment, enjoy the state and enjoy the opportunity that’s in front of you,” Doeren said he told his team Sunday. “But that’s not what this week’s about. This week’s about winning the game.

“… The guys understand that there’s a lot of things that can get you distracted in a week like this. We’re trying not to look at it as that.”

​