NC State is having a very peculiar season with its schedule. It opened the 2023 season with a win over independent UConn and now will face a second straight independent in Notre Dame. It then will face VMI before playing its ACC schedule except for one game against Marshall. Talk about one quirk after another.

Like the Irish, the Wolfpack have a quarterback finishing out his eligibility with them after spending the remainder of his career at a different school. In this case, the Wolfpack’s quarterback spent the previous five seasons at Virginia and even has experience facing the Irish (including on this writer’s wedding day). Of course, that’s only one player. There are many others who could give the Irish fits in what many are saying is their first real test of the season.

The Wolfpack have played only one game, but here’s who you might want to look out for when they face the Irish:

Passing

Brennan Armstrong: 17 for 26 (65.4%), 155 yards, 6.0 yards a pass attempt

Rushing

Jordan Houston: 57 yards on 13 carries, 4.4 yards a carry
Michael Allen: 30 yards on four carries, 7.5 yards a carry
Delbert Mimms: 20 yards on eight carries, 2.5 yards a carry

Receiving

Kevin Concepcion: 36 yards on four receptions, 9.0 yards a catch
Keyon Lesane: 22 yards on two receptions, 11.0 yards a catch
Porter Rooks: 18 yards on two receptions, 9.0 yards a catch
Terrell Timmons: 18 yards on one reception
Julian Gray: 14 yards on two receptions, 7.0 yards a catch
Brad Rozner: 14 yards on one reception

Touchdowns

Armstrong: two
Mimms: one

Tackles

Payton Wilson: 10
Davin Vann: five
Devon Betty: four
Five tied with three

Sacks

Vann: 1.0
Red Hibbler: 1.0

Interceptions

Wilson: one

Story originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire