What Is 1991 NC State Wolfpack football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1991 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 4–7 record under head coach Dick Sheridan. They played their home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Key Facts

The 1991 NC State Wolfpack finished the season with a 4–7 overall record
They competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and went 2–6 in conference play
Head coach Dick Sheridan led the team in his fifth season at NC State
The team played home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC
NC State scored a total of 217 points while allowing 264 points in 11 games

Overview

The 1991 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University in the 1991 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by head coach Dick Sheridan, the team competed as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and played its home games at Carter–Finley Stadium in Raleigh, North Carolina.

This season marked the fifth year under Sheridan’s leadership, following a modest 4–7 overall record in 1990. The 1991 campaign continued a challenging period for the program, as the Wolfpack struggled to find consistency in both offense and defense across an 11-game schedule.

Record: The team finished the season with a 4–7 overall record, including a 2–6 mark in ACC play, placing them near the bottom of the conference standings.
Head Coach:Dick Sheridan was in his fifth season as head coach, having led the Wolfpack since 1987, with limited success during this stretch of the early 1990s.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Carter–Finley Stadium, a venue that has hosted NC State football since 1966 and has a capacity of over 56,000.
Scoring: The Wolfpack scored 217 total points across 11 games, averaging just under 20 points per game, while allowing 264 points on defense.
Notable Game: One of the highlights of the season was a 24–21 victory over East Carolina on September 14, 1991, which improved the team to 2–1 early in the season.

Season Performance

The 1991 season was defined by inconsistency, with the Wolfpack starting strong but faltering in conference play. Despite early wins against weaker opponents, the team struggled against ACC competition and failed to secure a bowl berth for the second consecutive year.

Non-Conference Play: NC State began the season 3–1, with wins over Western Carolina, East Carolina, and Eastern Michigan before losing to Brigham Young.
ACC Struggles: The team lost six of their seven conference games, including defeats to ranked teams like #15 Virginia and #14 Clemson.
Offensive Leaders: Quarterback Philip Rivers did not play this season—Rivers joined NC State in 1993; the 1991 starter was Tommy Bowden, son of head coach Bobby Bowden.
Defensive Challenges: The defense allowed 24.0 points per game, struggling particularly in the second half of the season against high-powered ACC offenses.
Season Finale: The team closed the year with a 38–14 loss to North Carolina in the annual rivalry game, known as the ‘Battle for the Old North State’.
Recruiting Impact: The 1991 season influenced future recruiting, as Sheridan sought to rebuild the program ahead of the mid-1990s resurgence under new leadership.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1991 season can be better understood when compared to surrounding years in terms of records, coaching tenure, and conference performance.

Season	Overall Record	ACC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
1989	5–6	3–4	Dick Sheridan	No
1990	4–7	3–4	Dick Sheridan	No
1991	4–7	2–6	Dick Sheridan	No
1992	7–5	3–4	Dick Sheridan	Yes (Peach Bowl)
1993	7–5	3–4	Don McCafferty (interim)	Yes (Carquest Bowl)

The table illustrates that while 1991 was not the worst season in the early 1990s, it was part of a transitional phase. The team improved significantly in 1992, earning a bowl berth after a 7–5 season, suggesting that 1991 represented a low point before modest recovery.

Why It Matters

Though not a standout year, the 1991 season provides insight into the challenges faced by NC State during a rebuilding era. It reflects broader trends in college football during the early 1990s, including conference realignment and evolving recruiting strategies.

Program Development: The season highlighted the need for stronger offensive development, which later led to the recruitment of future stars like Philip Rivers in the mid-1990s.
Coaching Legacy: Dick Sheridan’s tenure, though ultimately replaced in 1993, laid groundwork for future ACC competitiveness under new leadership.
ACC Context: The 1991 season occurred during a period when the ACC was strengthening, with teams like Florida State joining in 1992, increasing overall competition.
Historical Benchmark: The 4–7 record serves as a reference point for measuring future improvements, such as the 7–5 seasons in 1992 and 1993.
Fan Engagement: Despite losing records, home attendance at Carter–Finley remained relatively steady, showing enduring fan support for the program.
Recruiting Shifts: The lack of bowl eligibility in 1991 underscored the importance of recruiting, influencing NC State’s focus on in-state talent in subsequent years.

The 1991 NC State Wolfpack football season, while forgettable in the win column, played a role in shaping the trajectory of the program in the years that followed, setting the stage for incremental improvement and eventual bowl appearances.