Old Dominion @ North Carolina State preview

North Carolina State sidestepped an upset bid in its season opener and attempts to stymie another upstart when the Wolfpack host Old Dominion on Saturday. NC State never led until 1:37 remained when it defeated Georgia Southern 24-23 in Week 1, and the Monarchs carry the same type of profile into this matchup. Old Dominion has traded in being an FCS power for being a member of the Sun Belt Conference and the Monarchs are led by senior star quarterback Taylor Heinicke.

The Wolfpack had to overcome a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to slide past Georgia Southern. Ten true freshmen played in the contest and second-year coach Dave Doeren will be expecting a much better effort from his squad. “It shows we have a long way to go because you don’t want to be in that position as much as we were,” Doeren said on a teleconference. “But I was proud of the resolve and leadership. You have to have leadership to come back. Both sides of the football showed that.”

TV: 6 p.m. ET, ESPN3. LINE: North Carolina State –16

ABOUT OLD DOMINION (1-0): Heinicke threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns in last week’s 41-28 win over Hampton to raise his career touchdown pass total to 105. Gerard Johnson had a productive day on the ground with 137 rushing yards – the second-most of his career – while Zach Pascal also stood out with eight receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown. Outside linebacker Andre Simmons led the defense with nine tackles while safety Fellonte Misher had eight stops and recorded his third career interception.

ABOUT NORTH CAROLINA STATE (1-0): Junior quarterback Jacoby Brissett passed for 291 yards and three touchdowns in his school debut, including the game-winning 35-yard TD pass to Matt Dayes. Brissett transferred from Florida and overcame a shaky start by going 8-for-9 for 75 yards on the decisive drive. Defensively, the Wolfpack are led by defensive end Art Norman, who has 17 career sacks and is making a run at the school’s career mark held by Mario Williams (25.5 from 2003-06).

EXTRA POINTS

1. North Carolina State WR Bryan Underwood is tied for 10th in school history with 13 career touchdown receptions.

2. Heinicke ranks 26th all-time with 11,764 passing yards and figures to pass New Mexico State’s Chase Holbrook (11,846), Marshall’s Byron Leftwich (11,903) and Clemson’s Tajh Boyd (11,904) on Saturday.

3. Wolfpack K Niklas Sade is tied for third in school history with 256 points, 56 shy of the school mark held by College Hall of Fame RB Ted Brown (1975-78).

PREDICTION: NC State 33, Old Dominion 31