What Is 1983 NC State Wolfpack football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1983 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 3–8 record under head coach Monte Kiffin. They competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Key Facts

The 1983 NC State Wolfpack football team had a 3–8 overall record
They finished 3–4 in Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) play
Head coach Monte Kiffin was in his second season
The team played home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh
They scored 187 total points, averaging 17.0 per game

Overview

The 1983 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season. Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the team struggled to find consistency, finishing with a losing record under head coach Monte Kiffin.

Despite high hopes following the previous season, the Wolfpack failed to reach a bowl game for the second consecutive year. The offense averaged just over 17 points per game, while the defense allowed more than 24 points per contest, highlighting challenges on both sides of the ball.

Record: The team finished with a 3–8 overall record, one of the worst in program history during the modern era, reflecting a difficult rebuilding phase.
ACC Performance: In conference play, NC State went 3–4, placing them near the bottom of the ACC standings behind stronger teams like Maryland and Clemson.
Head Coach: Monte Kiffin was in his second season as head coach, taking over after the departure of Bo Rein, and compiled a 3–8 record in 1983.
Home Stadium: The Wolfpack played all home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina, a venue they had used since 1966.
Scoring: NC State scored 187 total points during the season, averaging 17.0 points per game, while allowing 268 points (24.4 per game).

How It Works

The 1983 season followed standard NCAA Division I-A football structure, with teams playing an 11-game regular season schedule before potential bowl eligibility.

Season Format: The NCAA allowed 11 regular-season games in 1983, with no conference championship game; the ACC did not institute one until 2005.
Eligibility Rules: Players had five years to play four seasons of eligibility, and freshmen were allowed to play varsity football since 1972.
Bowl Qualification: Teams needed at least six wins to be considered for a bowl game, a threshold NC State failed to reach with only three wins.
Scoring System: A touchdown was worth six points, field goals three, and safeties two; NC State scored 17 touchdowns during the season.
Conference Play: ACC teams played a round-robin schedule; NC State faced Clemson, Duke, Maryland, North Carolina, and Wake Forest.
Rankings: The AP and Coaches Polls ranked teams weekly; NC State did not appear in any poll during the 1983 season.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 1983 NC State Wolfpack compared to other ACC teams and the national average:

Team	Overall Record	ACC Record	Points For	Points Against
NC State	3–8	3–4	187	268
Clemson	9–2	5–1	275	152
North Carolina	7–4	4–3	248	201
Duke	5–6	3–4	189	247
Wake Forest	3–8	2–5	176	254

The table shows that NC State ranked near the bottom of the ACC in both wins and scoring defense. While they matched Duke in points scored, their defensive struggles were evident, allowing the second-most points in the conference. Clemson, the eventual conference leader, dominated both offensively and defensively, highlighting the gap between top and bottom teams.

Why It Matters

The 1983 season was a pivotal chapter in NC State football history, underscoring the challenges of rebuilding under new leadership and setting the stage for future improvements.

Program Transition: The 1983 season marked the second year under Monte Kiffin, who was later replaced after a 1–10 season in 1984.
Recruiting Impact: Poor records in 1982 and 1983 made recruiting difficult, delaying the program’s return to competitiveness until the late 1980s.
Stadium Legacy: Carter–Finley Stadium remained a key asset, eventually undergoing expansions that increased capacity beyond 50,000.
ACC Context: The ACC was still a football-focused conference, with basketball dominance by NC State in 1983 overshadowing football struggles.
Historical Benchmark: The 3–8 record became a low point, referenced in later years when the team improved under coaches like Dick Sheridan.
Media Coverage: Local newspapers like The News & Observer provided consistent coverage, maintaining fan interest despite on-field struggles.

The 1983 season, while forgettable in terms of wins, remains a case study in perseverance and program development. It reminds fans that even during downturns, foundational changes can lead to long-term success, as seen in NC State’s later bowl appearances.