Sept 22, 2012; Raleigh, NC, USA; General view of Carter-Finley Stadium during a game between the North Carolina State Wolfpack and the Citadel Bulldogs. North Carolina State won 52-14. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-US PRESSWIRE
The North Carolina State Wolfpack are preparing for a big ACC showdown against No. 3 ranked Florida State Saturday night and they have re-shuffled their offensive line in an effort to handle the dominant and athletic defensive front of the Seminoles. Florida State is lucky enough to have the best defensive end duo in college football and N.C. State is ready to step up for the challenge.
Injuries have hurt the Wolfpack offensive line and has led to some of the changes but the added youth and athleticism that North Carolina State will receive with the re-shuffling should benefit them in the long run.
Right guard Zach Allen suffered a lower leg injury last week against the Miami Hurricanes and will be out for Saturday’s showdown against Florida State. Stepping up in his place will be LSU transfer Cam Fordham. The redshirt sophomore is a very quick interior lineman who was previously a tight end. Fordham’s speed and athleticism will help him as he will face off against Everett Dawkins.
On top of Fordham joining the starting line-up, the Wolfpack offensive line will feature a completely different look against Florida State this weekend.
R.J Mattes will be moving from left guard to left tackle, Duran Christophe fills Mattes void at left guard and Tyson Chandler moves from left tackle to right tackle. Mattes and Chandler will have their hands full against the fierce Florida State pass rushers Bjoern Werner and Cornellius Carradine.
It will be a tough task for the Wolpack offensive line but they will be up for the challenge.
The last time North Carolina State hosted a top five team was in 1998. The team they hosted was oddly enough the Florida State Seminoles, who were the second-ranked team in the nation at that time. What was the result? N.C. State upset the Seminoles 24-7.
The Wolfpack will be looking for a similar result this weekend when they host FSU.
Topics: Cam Fordham, Florida State Seminoles, Football, North Carolina State Wolfpack
