NC State eager to establish run game against Campbell

North Carolina State will take a break from a two-game skid in conference play and will look to get back into the win column on Saturday afternoon against Campbell in Raleigh, N.C.

North Carolina State (3-2) started the season on a three-game winning streak, including a home win over now 24th-ranked Virginia.

On Saturday, the Wolfpack will dip back into non-conference play following a tough day on the ground in last weekend's 23-21 home loss to Virginia Tech.

The Wolfpack struggled to run and stop the run against the Hokies, rushing for only 59 yards and allowing 229.

North Carolina State leaned heavily instead on CJ Bailey, who threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns, with no interceptions.

"This is a game that, (we've) been saying for two weeks and say it again -- it's about us," Wolfpack coach Dave Doeren said. "We got to get better in certain areas. The areas that we really wanted to improve in last week, we did.

"Discipline was an area that we hurt ourselves quite a bit in the Duke game (45-33 loss on Sept. 20), and we felt like we improved in those areas, but execution at the line of scrimmage on both sides has got to improve."

FCS program Campbell (1-4) will travel 45 minutes north to the state capital after a 42-35 loss to Western Carolina last week.

The Fighting Camels trailed 28-3 before making it a close contest, led by Kamden Sixkiller with 205 passing yards and three total touchdowns (two rushing).

Trayjen Llanas-Wilcox caught five passes for 124 yards, and Stevie Keener added three grabs for 50 yards and a TD.

"They're going to get experience against ACC-speed DBs right there," Campbell coach Braxton Harris said. "That's going to be a huge experience to add to their toolbox that we get back to CAA play after this game. That's going to be a huge advantage for those kids. And so, at the end of the day, it's an opportunity for us to get better and us to get better at doing our job."

Saturday will be the second game for the Camels against an FBS foe this season after losing to East Carolina 56-3 on Sept 6.

North Carolina State faced the Pirates on Aug. 28 and won 24-17.

--Field Level Media