What Is 2019 NC State Wolfpack football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2019 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University in the NCAA Division I FBS season, finishing with a 4-8 record under head coach Dave Doeren. They played in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and competed in the ACC’s Atlantic Division.

Key Facts

Finished the 2019 season with a 4-8 overall record and 2-6 in ACC play
Head coach Dave Doeren was in his 7th season leading the program
Played home games at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC
Started the season ranked 25th in the AP Poll but dropped after early losses
Defensive end Buddha Bennett-Diamond led the team with 7.0 sacks

Overview

The 2019 NC State Wolfpack football team represented North Carolina State University during the 2019 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) as part of the Atlantic Division, the team was led by head coach Dave Doeren in his seventh year at the helm.

Despite beginning the season ranked No. 25 in the Associated Press Poll, the Wolfpack struggled to maintain consistency, finishing with a 4-8 overall record and 2-6 in conference play. Their performance placed them near the bottom of the ACC standings, missing both the ACC Championship and a bowl game for the first time since 2015.

Season Record: The team finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in ACC games, marking their worst win total since 2013.
Head Coach:Dave Doeren entered his seventh season with a 45-41 career record at NC State by the end of 2019.
Home Stadium: The Wolfpack played all home games at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, which has a capacity of 56,919.
Season Opener: They opened the season with a 24-13 win over East Carolina on August 31, 2019, at Carter-Finley.
Ranking Drop: After starting the season ranked No. 25 in the AP Poll, they fell out following a loss to Wake Forest in Week 3.

Performance & Season Highlights

The 2019 campaign began with optimism, especially after a strong finish to the 2018 season. However, the team faced challenges maintaining offensive consistency and suffered key losses to rivals and lower-ranked opponents.

Early Promise: A 38-21 win over Florida State in Week 4 gave hope, as the Wolfpack dominated statistically and forced three turnovers.
Offensive Struggles: The team averaged just 21.6 points per game, down from 27.3 in 2018, with quarterback issues contributing to the decline.
Defensive Standouts:Buddha Bennett-Diamond recorded 7.0 sacks, leading the team, while safety Chris Turner had two interceptions.
Key Injuries: Starting quarterback Malcolm Mays missed multiple games due to injury, forcing true freshman Ben Finley into action.
Season Low: A 49-6 loss to Clemson on November 9 was the worst defeat since 2011, highlighting the gap between NC State and the conference elite.
Final Game: The season ended with a 41-10 loss to North Carolina, marking the Tar Heels’ first win in the rivalry since 2015.

Comparison at a Glance

The 2019 season compared poorly to recent Wolfpack campaigns, particularly in win-loss record and offensive output. Below is a comparison with the 2018 and 2020 seasons:

Season	Overall Record	ACC Record	Points Per Game	Bowl Game
2018	9-4	5-3	27.3	Yes (Gator Bowl)
2019	4-8	2-6	21.6	No
2020	3-6	3-6	26.1	No
2017	9-4	5-3	27.9	Yes (Pinstripe Bowl)
2016	7-6	3-5	25.5	Yes (Sun Bowl)

The 2019 season marked a steep decline from the 9-win campaigns of 2017 and 2018. While the 2020 season was shortened due to the pandemic, the lack of a bowl appearance in both years signaled a downturn in program performance. The 4-8 record in 2019 was the team’s worst since going 3-9 in 2013.

Why It Matters

The 2019 season served as a turning point for NC State football, exposing weaknesses in depth, quarterback development, and consistency against top competition. It raised questions about the program’s ability to compete in the upper tier of the ACC without significant roster and strategic adjustments.

Program Expectations: After three consecutive bowl appearances, fans expected better than a losing record in 2019.
Quarterback Development: The injury to Malcolm Mays and reliance on a freshman exposed thin depth at QB.
Recruiting Impact: A losing season may have affected recruiting momentum heading into 2020.
Coaching Pressure: Though Doeren kept his job, the season increased scrutiny on offensive play-calling and player development.
Rivalry Implications: Losing to North Carolina after a long winning streak damaged regional pride.
Future Rebuilding: The 2019 struggles led to increased focus on recruiting and staff evaluation in subsequent years.

Ultimately, the 2019 season was a setback, but it provided critical lessons for NC State’s long-term football strategy. The team rebounded in later years with improved records, but 2019 remains a cautionary chapter in the program’s recent history.