# 2021 NC State Wolfpack football team

The 2021 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2021 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Wolfpack played their home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina and competed in the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference. They were led by ninth-year head coach Dave Doeren.
The Wolfpack finished their regular season with a 9–3 overall record, and accepted a bid to the Holiday Bowl, where they were due to face UCLA. Hours before game time on December 28, UCLA withdrew from the bowl due to COVID-19 issues, and the bowl was canceled. NC State was awarded the Holiday Bowl trophy after the cancelation and considers the game forfeited, giving the program its second (after 2002) 10-win season—the 10th win (for the Holiday Bowl) is claimed by NC State and not officially recognized by the NCAA and ACC. NC State beat Clemson for the first time since 2011.

## Schedule

NC State announced its 2021 football schedule on January 28, 2021.
| Date | Time | Opponent | Rank | Site | TV | Result | Attendance |
| September 2 | 7:30 p.m. | South Florida* | | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC | ACCN | W 45–0 | 52,633 |
| September 11 | 7:00 p.m. | at Mississippi State* | | Davis Wade StadiumStarkville, MS | ESPN2 | L 10–24 | 45,834 |
| September 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Furman* | | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC | ACCRSN | W 45–7 | 56,919 |
| September 25 | 3:30 p.m. | No. 9 Clemson | | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC (Textile Bowl) | ESPN | W 27–21 $^{2OT}$ | 56,919 |
| October 2 | 6:00 p.m. | Louisiana Tech* | No. 23 | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC | ACCNX/ESPN+ | W 34–27 | 51,064 |
| October 16 | 7:30 p.m. | at Boston College | No. 22 | Alumni StadiumChestnut Hill, MA | ACCN | W 33–7 | 40,349 |
| October 23 | 7:30 p.m. | at Miami | No. 18 | Hard Rock StadiumMiami Gardens, FL | ESPN2 | L 30–31 | 43,293 |
| October 30 | 7:30 p.m. | Louisville | | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC | ACCN | W 28–13 | 53,123 |
| November 6 | 4:00 p.m. | at Florida State | No. 19 | Doak Campbell StadiumTallahassee, FL | ACCN | W 28–14 | 50,835 |
| November 13 | 7:30 p.m. | at No. 12 Wake Forest | No. 16 | Truist Field at Wake ForestWinston-Salem, NC (rivalry) | ACCN | L 42–45 | 34,503 |
| November 20 | 4:00 p.m. | Syracuse | No. 20 | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC | ACCN | W 41–17 | 54,083 |
| November 26 | 7:00 p.m. | North Carolina | No. 20 | Carter–Finley StadiumRaleigh, NC (rivalry) | ESPN | W 34–30 | 56,919 |
| December 28 | 8:00 p.m. | vs. UCLA* | No. 18 | Petco ParkSan Diego, CA (Holiday Bowl) | Fox | Canceled | _ |
| *Non-conference gameHomecomingRankings from AP Poll (and CFP Rankings, after November 2) - Released prior to gameAll times are in Eastern time ||||||||
Source

## Coaching staff

| Name | Title |
| Dave Doeren | Head Coach |
| Tim Beck | Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks |
| Tony Gibson | Defensive coordinator/linebackers |
| Charlie Wiles | Defensive Line |
| Joe DeForest | Safeties |
| Todd Goebbel | Tight Ends/special teams |
| Freddie Aughtry-Lindsay | Nickels |
| John Garrison | Offensive Line |
| Brian Mitchell | Cornerbacks |
| Kurt Roper | Running Backs |
| Ruffin McNeill | Special Assistant to the head coach |
Source

## Roster

Source

## Game summaries
### South Florida

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulls | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| • Wolfpack | 10 | 14 | 14 | 7 | 45 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −20 | 58 |
| Statistics | USF | NCSU |
| First downs | 15 | 27 |
| Total yards | 271 | 525 |
| Rushing yards | 104 | 293 |
| Passing yards | 167 | 232 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 30:48 | 29:12 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| South Florida | Passing | Timmy McClain | 7–13, 126 yards, 2 INT |
| South Florida | Rushing | Jaren Mangham | 5 carries, 26 yards |
| South Florida | Receiving | Xavier Weaver | 2 receptions, 73 yards |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 17–26, 232 yards, 2 TD, INT |
| NC State | Rushing | Zonovan Knight | 16 carries, 164 yards, 1 TD |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 5 receptions, 71 yards |

### At Mississippi State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Wolfpack | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
| • Bulldogs | 7 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 24 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −1.5 | 56 |
| Statistics | NCSU | MSSU |
| First downs | 16 | 15 |
| Total yards | 337 | 316 |
| Rushing yards | 34 | 22 |
| Passing yards | 303 | 294 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 28:57 | 31:03 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 30–49, 303 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| NC State | Rushing | Zonovan Knight | 8 carries, 31 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 6 receptions, 92 yards |
| Mississippi State | Passing | Will Rogers | 33–49, 294 yards, 2 TD |
| Mississippi State | Rushing | Dillon Johnson | 6 carries, 18 yards |
| Mississippi State | Receiving | Dillon Johnson | 6 receptions, 70 yards |

### Furman

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Paladins | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 |
| • Wolfpack | 10 | 28 | 7 | 7 | 52 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −27.5 | 45 |
| Statistics | FUR | NCSU |
| First downs | 9 | 25 |
| Total yards | 196 | 505 |
| Rushing yards | 92 | 218 |
| Passing yards | 104 | 287 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 27:21 | 32:39 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Furman | Passing | Hamp Sisson | 8–19, 86 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Furman | Rushing | Devin Wynn | 9 carries, 27 yards |
| Furman | Receiving | Ryan Miller | 2 receptions, 31 yards, 1 TD |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 23–29, 259 yards, 3 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Zonovan Knight | 11 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD |
| NC State | Receiving | Thayer Thomas | 5 receptions, 82 yards, 1 TD |

### No. 9 Clemson

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | 2OT | Total |
| No. 9 Tigers | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
| • Wolfpack | 7 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 27 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| CLEM −10.5 | 48 |
| Statistics | CLEM | NCSU |
| First downs | 10 | 31 |
| Total yards | 214 | 386 |
| Rushing yards | 103 | 148 |
| Passing yards | 111 | 238 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 18:12 | 41:48 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Clemson | Passing | DJ Uiagalelei | 12–26, 111 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT |
| Clemson | Rushing | DJ Uiagalelei | 9 carries, 63 yards |
| Clemson | Receiving | Justyn Ross | 8 receptions, 77 yards, 2 TD |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 32–44, 238 yards, 4 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Ricky Person Jr. | 21 carries, 91 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 14 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD |

### Louisiana Tech

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Bulldogs | 0 | 10 | 3 | 14 | 27 |
| • No. 23 Wolfpack | 7 | 6 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −17.5 | 56 |
| Statistics | La Tech | NCSU |
| First downs | 26 | 23 |
| Total yards | 480 | 418 |
| Rushing yards | 139 | 167 |
| Passing yards | 341 | 251 |
| Turnovers | 2 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:43 | 29:17 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Louisiana Tech | Passing | Austin Kendall | 26–43, 341 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT |
| Louisiana Tech | Rushing | Austin Kendall | 15 carries, 71 yards |
| Louisiana Tech | Receiving | Bub Means | 6 receptions, 95 yards, 1 TD |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 22–36, 251 yards, 2 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Ricky Person Jr. | 15 carries, 90 yards, 1 TD |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 4 receptions, 67 yards |

### At Boston College

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 22 Wolfpack | 7 | 3 | 21 | 2 | 33 |
| Eagles | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −3 | 51 |
| Statistics | NCSU | BC |
| First downs | 16 | 17 |
| Total yards | 381 | 291 |
| Rushing yards | 130 | 97 |
| Passing yards | 251 | 194 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 31:53 | 28:07 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 16–24, 251 yards, 3 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Jordan Houston | 8 carries, 43 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Thayer Thomas | 4 receptions, 122 yards, 1 TD |
| Boston College | Passing | Dennis Grosel | 21–39, 194 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Boston College | Rushing | Patrick Garwo | 1 carries, 52 yards |
| Boston College | Receiving | Jaelen Gill | 5 receptions, 71 yards |

### At Miami

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 18 Wolfpack | 3 | 14 | 3 | 10 | 30 |
| • Hurricanes | 7 | 7 | 10 | 7 | 31 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −3.5 | 55 |
| Statistics | NCSU | MIA |
| First downs | 18 | 18 |
| Total yards | 421 | 420 |
| Rushing yards | 111 | 95 |
| Passing yards | 310 | 325 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 28:30 | 31:30 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 24–42, 310 yards, 2 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Ricky Person Jr. | 9 carries, 54 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 3 receptions, 75 yards |
| Miami | Passing | Tyler Van Dyke | 25–33, 325 yards, 4 TD |
| Miami | Rushing | Jaylan Knighton | 21 carries, 83 yards |
| Miami | Receiving | Charleston Rambo | 9 receptions, 127 yards, 2 TD |

### vs Louisville

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Cardinals | 7 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 13 |
| • Wolfpack | 7 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 28 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −6 | 57 |
| Statistics | LOU | NCSU |
| First downs | 17 | 19 |
| Total yards | 434 | 361 |
| Rushing yards | 219 | 317 |
| Passing yards | 215 | 44 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 30:37 | 29:23 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Louisville | Passing | Malik Cunningham | 11–28, 219 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Louisville | Rushing | Malik Cunningham | 18 carries, 76 yards |
| Louisville | Receiving | Jordan Watkins | 2 receptions, 83 yards, 1 TD |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 25–36, 317 yards, 4 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Zonovan Knight | 11 carries, 23 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 5 receptions, 91 yards, 1 TD |

### At Florida State

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| • No. 19 Wolfpack | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 28 |
| Seminoles | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 14 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU −3 | 55 |
| Statistics | NCSU | FSU |
| First downs | 17 | 18 |
| Total yards | 400 | 271 |
| Rushing yards | 86 | 38 |
| Passing yards | 314 | 233 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 34:12 | 25:48 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 21–32, 314 yards, 4 TD, 1 INT |
| NC State | Rushing | Zonovan Knight | 18 carries, 75 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Trent Pennix | 3 receptions, 97 yards, 1 TD |
| Florida State | Passing | McKenzie Milton | 22–44, 233 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| Florida State | Rushing | Jashaun Corbin | 14 carries, 33 yards, 1 TD |
| Florida State | Receiving | Keyshawn Helton | 4 receptions, 49 yards, 1 TD |

### At No. 12 Wake Forest

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| No. 16 Wolfpack | 6 | 14 | 7 | 15 | 42 |
| • No. 12 Demon Deacons | 7 | 17 | 7 | 14 | 45 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| WF –1 | 65 |
| Statistics | NCSU | WAKE |
| First downs | 25 | 27 |
| Total yards | 482 | 406 |
| Rushing yards | 74 | 116 |
| Passing yards | 408 | 290 |
| Turnovers | 3 | 3 |
| Time of possession | 28:20 | 31:40 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 37–59, 408 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT |
| NC State | Rushing | Ricky Person, Jr. | 8 carries, 36 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 10 receptions, 133 yards, 2 TD |
| Wake Forest | Passing | Sam Hartman | 20–47, 290 yards, 3 TD, 3 INT |
| Wake Forest | Rushing | Justice Ellison | 17 carries, 56 yards, 2 TD |
| Wake Forest | Receiving | A. T. Perry | 5 receptions, 73 yards, 1 TD |

### Syracuse

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Orange | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 17 |
| • No. 20 Wolfpack | 0 | 28 | 10 | 3 | 41 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU –11.5 | 49.5 |
| Statistics | CUSE | NCSU |
| First downs | 16 | 19 |
| Total yards | 236 | 399 |
| Rushing yards | 170 | 96 |
| Passing yards | 66 | 303 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 0 |
| Time of possession | 29:24 | 30:36 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| Syracuse | Passing | Garrett Shrader | 8–20, 63 yards, 1 INT |
| Syracuse | Rushing | Sean Tucker | 14 carries, 109 yards, 1 TD |
| Syracuse | Receiving | Devaughn Cooper | 3 receptions, 31 yards |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 17–24, 303 yards, 2 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Ricky Person Jr. | 12 carries, 50 yards, 1 TD |
| NC State | Receiving | Thayer Thomas | 4 receptions, 80 yards, 1 TD |

### North Carolina

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
| Tar Heels | 0 | 10 | 14 | 6 | 30 |
| • No. 20 Wolfpack | 14 | 0 | 7 | 13 | 34 |
| Pregame line | Over/under |
| NCSU –5 | 61 |
| Statistics | UNC | NCSU |
| First downs | 22 | 21 |
| Total yards | 444 | 360 |
| Rushing yards | 297 | 113 |
| Passing yards | 147 | 247 |
| Turnovers | 1 | 1 |
| Time of possession | 29:21 | 30:39 |
| Team | Category | Player | Statistics |
| North Carolina | Passing | Sam Howell | 14–26, 147 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT |
| North Carolina | Rushing | British Brooks | 15 carries, 124 yards |
| North Carolina | Receiving | Josh Downs | 8 receptions, 75 yards |
| NC State | Passing | Devin Leary | 19–30, 247 yards, 4 TD |
| NC State | Rushing | Zonovan Knight | 9 carries, 69 yards |
| NC State | Receiving | Emeka Emezie | 5 receptions, 112 yards, 2 TD |

## Rankings

Ranking movements Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking — = Not ranked RV = Received votes :
| | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week | Week |
| Poll | Pre | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | Final |
| AP | RV | RV | — | — | 23 | 23 | 22 | 18 | RV | RV | 21 | 25 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 20 |
| Coaches | RV | RV | RV | — | RV | 22 | 21 | 18 | 25 | 22 | 19 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 18 | 19 |
| CFP | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | Not released | 19 | 16 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 18 | Not released |

## Players drafted into the NFL

| Round | Pick | Player | Position | NFL Club |
| 1 | 6 | Ikem Ekwonu | OT | Carolina Panthers |
| 7 | 255 | Trenton Gill | P | Chicago Bears |