NC State football

Lightning Strikes and Wolfpack Triumphs: NC State's Season Opener Has it All!

Get ready for an electrifying evening as NC State battles Western Carolina! We’ve got all the highlights, a new quarterback, and a twist of thunder!

As the NC State Wolfpack kicked off their 2024 football season with high hopes, they faced a thunderstorm of delays at Carter-Finley Stadium. The highly anticipated matchup against the Western Carolina Catamounts had fans buzzing with excitement, especially with the new graduate quarterback, Grayson McCall, at the helm. Unfortunately, Mother Nature had other plans as a lightning delay threw the evening's festivities into disarray. But if there’s anything a loyal Wolfpack fan knows, it's that patience often leads to a thrilling payoff.

Once the skies cleared, the action didn’t disappoint! The Wolfpack surged onto the field, brimming with eagerness to showcase their revamped offense. As the game progressed into the end of the first half, NC State found themselves trailing Western Carolina 14-7, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Will McCall be able to rally the troops and bring home the win? With a new playbook and a determined roster, anything is possible—even the unfathomable drama of sports can unfold right in front of our eyes.

Of course, the real stars aren't just on the field; they're also up in the booth! This season also marked the debut of the new voice of the NC State Wolfpack, Matt Chazanow. Picking up the mic from legendary broadcaster Gary Hahn, who called Wolfpack games for over three decades, Chazanow has big shoes to fill. Fans are curious to see if his unique style and infectious enthusiasm can capture the essence of Wolfpack football. Could this new chapter in broadcasting add a little extra spark to the already buzzing atmosphere of Carter-Finley? Fingers crossed!

As the final whistle approached, tensions rose, and the Wolfpack wondered if they could harness the energy from the crowd and turnover the game. Of course, all eyes would be on the traffic report as well, as construction on Blue Ridge Road was likely to add to the headaches for fans trying to get to this primetime opener!

And speaking of excitement, did you know that NC State's last season opener back in 2023 was also against Western Carolina? The Wolfpack emerged victorious, and with their eyes on repeating that success, fans were itching to see if history would repeat itself! Meanwhile, let’s not forget that thunderstorms are actually linked to higher football game attendance—who knew heavy rain could bring fans together?! So, prepare yourselves for what’s sure to be a season of electrifying plays, historical moments, and plenty of unforgettable memories!