The NC State football team will debut their 2024 season wearing all-red uniforms with white helmets for their opening game against Western Carolina.
The game, set for 7 p.m. ET on Thursday at Carter-Finley Stadium, marks the beginning of the 12th season under head coach Dave Doeren.
The Wolfpack must stay focused on their in-state FCS opponent, the Catamounts, despite the looming Duke’s Mayo Classic against the 15th-ranked Tennessee Volunteers on September 7 in Charlotte’s Bank of America Stadium. This high-profile match will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m. ET on ABC.
Head coach Dave Doeren, who has experience coaching in FCS football, emphasized the significance of these games for smaller programs.
Speaking on Tuesday, he noted that these matchups are crucial for the financial support they provide to FCS schools, and they offer players a valuable opportunity to compete in major stadiums.
He reminded his team not to underestimate their opponents, as FCS teams often play with nothing to lose and everything to gain. Doeren’s past experience at the FCS level gives him a unique perspective, which he uses to prepare his players.
