Dave Doeren, now in his fourteenth year at the helm of the N.C. State Wolfpack, announced during a preseason press conference that the squad aims to finish the schedule without a single defeat. His confidence stems from a roster that blends veteran poise with emerging playmakers, a combination he believes can translate into a historic winning streak.
Central to that vision are the team's leaders on both sides of the ball. At quarterback, third‑year signal‑caller CJ Bailey is expected to anchor the offense, while linebackers Pop Aguirre, a Miami transfer, and AJ Richardson provide the defensive backbone. Their presence, Doeren argues, creates a balanced leadership structure that can adapt week after week.
A Rivalry That Defines the Early Season
The Wolfpack’s first test arrives on August 29, when they travel to Charlottesville to face the Cavaliers at Scott Stadium. The game is slated for a 3:30 p.m. ET kickoff and will be broadcast nationally. Historically, Doeren’s teams have held the upper hand, having won the last four meetings against Virginia, a streak that dates back to the coach’s early tenure.
Virginia arrives with momentum of its own, having finished the previous season 11‑3 and finishing as ACC runners‑up to Duke. Yet the Wolfpack’s recent dominance in the series adds a narrative layer: a potential fifth straight victory would cement Doeren’s early‑season prophecy.
Fall Camp Sets the Tone
During fall camp, the coaching staff emphasized continuity and chemistry, allowing the returning starters to gel while integrating newcomers like Aguirre. The intensive work on both sides of the ball has, according to players, forged a cohesion that Doeren says is rare in program history. The result, he suggests, is a team that can sustain high performance week after week.
If the Wolfpack can translate preseason optimism into regular‑season execution, the implications would extend beyond a single streak. A perfect record would mark the first time in the program’s modern era that a team has captured ten wins in a single season, a milestone that has eluded the program for decades.