It's Officially Do-or-Die Time for the Wolfpack

We’re not in Europe, but for NC State, Thursday night’s matchup with Georgia Tech represents the “Final Countdown.”

The Wolfpack currently sit with an overall record of 4-6. At best, the team can finish the regular season at .500, earn a bowl berth, and win to end 2019 with a 7-6 record. However, the Yellow Jackets will play host to this struggling unit and will look to wreck those hopes of a postseason.

With their backs against the wall though, the Wolfpack players remain poised in the face of elimination and have pressed onward, business as usual.

“We’ve just got to go out there and do what we’ve got to do,” redshirt senior safety Jarius Morehead said. “It’s a challenge, and that’s what we want. We’ve just got to win that first game then worry about bowl eligibility and what’s next after.”

Morehead leads a defense still licking its wounds after a brutal third-quarter battering at the hands of Louisville. After trailing the Wolfpack by three at halftime, the Cardinals scored 20 points in the third quarter, eventually winning the game by 14 on Saturday evening. For State’s defense, retaining assignments will be pivotal to limiting opponents’ explosive plays as the Pack has allowed 37 such plays during the team’s current four-game losing streak.

“We’ve got to do a better job in communicating,” freshman linebacker Drake Thomas said. “Everyone has to remain on the same page and stick to the game plan to the best of our abilities.”

The Pack’s offense, though, doesn’t get off scot free. State coughed the ball off in its own territory following a Louisville touchdown, and that fumble later translated into another touchdown for the Cards. After a game where three State turnovers resulted in 14 points for Louisville, one of the keys to securing the win has to revolve around ball security.

“In the last three games, we’re minus-10 in turnover margin,” redshirt sophomre wide receiver Thayer Thomas said. “You’re not going to win games like that. To give ourselves a shot, we need to avoid turning the ball over. That’s been a major point of emphasis lately.”

At this point, there’s no rest for the weary. After the loss Saturday night, the preparation process for Thursday had practically already begun. With the team already slated for traveling to Atlanta Wednesday, the Pack had to condense its film study and practice time in the three days between. For a team already reeling from the loss of players due to injury, the strain of the quick turnaround will be another hurdle to overcome.

“For the guys who are nicked up, the hardest part is getting the recovery that we need,” Thayer Thomas said. “It’s been tough, but the benefit is that we’ll be getting a lot of rest on the back end.”

“It felt like another fall camp,” Morehead said. “This came by really quick, but we will bring our energy to the table on Thursday.”

As kickoff approaches, the Wolfpack steps into Bobby Dodd Stadium with a chip on its shoulder. On a short break between games and its bowl eligibility on the line, NC State will have to harness as much force as it can muster to overcome the odds and keep its hopes intact.

“I can’t imagine not going to a bowl,” Morehead said. “I’m a senior, and I haven’t missed one yet. This is a big game. We’re taking this game seriously.”