By Brian Murphy, WRAL

Changes are coming to NC State after its second blowout loss to ranked teams in the first four weeks of the season, head coach Dave Doeren said Monday.

NC State, which entered the season with high expectations for a potential breakthrough season, lost 59-35 at No. 21 Clemson on Saturday. It comes two weeks after a 51-10 loss to No. 14 Tennessee.

“It’s an opportunity to face adversity and fight harder as a team,”Doeren said. “It’s a challenge I’m excited to face. I told the team, I’m built for stuff like this, man. I love adversity. I love obstacles. And I’m going to battle and fight.”

The Wolfpack (2-2) did not release a depth chart for Saturday’s game with Northern Illinois (2-1). The Huskies defeated Notre Dame earlier this season. The Wolfpack has used basically the same lineup through four games with some changes due to injury.

“When you watch the film there’s several guys that are playing really hard and there are several guys that aren’t,” Doeren said Monday. “A lot of positions are being evaluated. A lot of people are being challenged.”

Left tackle Anthony Belton, who has started 17 consecutive games, will not start against Northern Illinois. Belton was ejected for spitting at a Clemson player late in the first half with Wolfpack down big. The incident happened after quarterback CJ Bailey was sacked.

“I was really disappointed in Anthony Belton’s response,” Doeren said. “Things happen on the piles. All kinds of things happen in piles. We all know as players, and Anthony knows as a player, the guy that responds and retaliates is always the one that gets penalized.”

Doeren did not specify what other changes could take place, but he mentioned strong safety and nickel as positions where the team can “definitely play better.” He said the entire defense has to play better.

Clemson scored on seven of eight possessions with its starters in the game.

NC State has been in this position before. The Wolfpack started last season 4-3 before winning its final five regular-season games.

“When you touch the grass as a player, you’ve got to play like it could be your last day out there all the time,” Doeren said. “Have that hunger, that desire, that will and that want-to. We’re going to find out. That’s what this week’s about.”

Bailey threw for 204 yards and one touchdown in his first start. He replaced graduate transfer Grayson McCall, who left the Wolfpack’s win against Louisiana Tech with an undisclosed injury. McCall has a history of concussions.

“Grayson’s getting better and excited to see CJ (Bailey) progress and we’ll see where we end up,” Doeren said.

Defensive tackle DJ Jackson, who left the Clemson game with an injury, is likely to miss the Northern Illinois game.

Defensive end Reid Hibler, who had 6.5 sacks for NC State in 2023, is no longer listed on the team’s roster. He was listed as a backup at left defensive end against Clemson. He saw his playing time decline in each game this season, from 30 snaps to 25 then 23 and finally 10 against the Tigers.

Source: wralsportsfan.com