NC State has built double-digit leads in four consecutive games, winning three. It's a formula that has worked for the Wolfpack before, under Dave Doeren.
Flashback to 2018 when the team posted a 9-3 record, and in nine of its 12 games, the Wolfpack held a double-digit halftime lead.
State won eight of those nine games.
| Opponent | Halftime Score | Halftime Advantage | Result |
| James Madison | 17-7 | +10 | W: 24-13 |
| Georgia State | 20-7 | +13 | W: 41-7 |
| Marshall | 23-7 | +16 | W: 37-20 |
| Virginia | 20-7 | +13 | W: 35-21 |
| Boston College | 21-3 | +18 | W: 28-23 |
| Clemson | 24-0 | -24 | L: 41-7 |
| Syracuse | 27-20 | -7 | L: 51-41 |
| Florida State | 27-14 | +13 | W: 47-28 |
| Wake Forest | 13-3 | +10 | L: 27-23 |
| Louisville | 17-3 | +14 | W: 52-10 |
| North Carolina | 7-6 | +1 | W: 34-28 |
| East Carolina | 27-0 | +27 | W: 58-3 |
Conversely, the Wolfpack trailed Clemson and Syracuse at halftime and lost both games and was only up one on UNC before winning by six.
We debated it frequently at the time, how it felt like NC State would sit on a lead in the second half, run games out with Reggie Gallaspy and Ricky Person, but it was highly successful because when forced to play from behind, the end results were not good.
That team had Ryan Finley at quarterback and high-level offensive weapons, but its ability to build leads and dictate how games were played was a major factor in its success.
Eight years later, NC State appears to be following a similar path.
| Opponent | Halftime Lead | Biggest 1st Half Advantage | Result |
| Virginia | 0-17 | -17 | L: 34-7 |
| Richmond | 49-0 | +49 | W: 73-0 |
| Vanderbilt | 17-7 | +17 | L: 35-31 |
| App State | 28-10 | +21 | W: 41-31 |
| Louisville | 13-7 | +10 | W: 31-28 |
NC State has its issues, particularly defensively, but the ability to establish early leads has helped conceal some of those weaknesses.
Against Louisville, NC State jumped ahead 10-0 behind critical third-down conversions and an offense that consistently sustained drives.
That early lead was especially important against a Louisville defense designed to pressure quarterbacks and capitalize when opponents become one-dimensional.
By playing from ahead, NC State was able to maintain offensive balance and keep CJ Bailey in favorable situations.
The same principle applies defensively.
NC State has struggled with explosives, but “front-running” has at times made opponents one dimensional, creating chances for pressures, turnovers, and negative plays.
With that being said, the Vanderbilt debacle was a painful reminder that building a lead doesn't guarantee a victory, while Appalachian State and Louisville both had opportunities to overcome double-digit deficits.
That's where this year's team has differed from 2018, which was generally much more effective at not only finishing games but often expanding those halftime leads.
So how does this factor in for NC State on Saturday against Wake Forest?
Wake has already demonstrated they can compete against quality opponents, and quarterback Gio Lopez has been outstanding. Given NC State's defensive inconsistencies and overall injury concerns, the Pack doesn't want to spend Saturday chasing Wake Forest on the scoreboard.
Instead, the objective should be to replicate the early success against Louisville: sustain drives, convert third downs, and build an advantage that forces Wake Forest to adjust its approach.
That doesn't mean NC State can afford to become conservative once ahead. If anything, Vanderbilt, App State, and even Louisville showed the importance of maintaining offensive aggression and continuing to move the chains.
The Wolfpack must learn how to finish, not just hang on.
