The North Carolina State University football team kicked off the season with a 21-20 win against East Carolina. From there on, fans and speculators eagerly showed up for tailgating and in support of the Wolfpack. The red and white continued their winning streak through the big homecoming game against Wake Forest, taking home the win 30-21.

“When the Carter is full and the stadium is rocking, it’s a great environment,” stated head Coach Dave Doeren to ESPN.

The Wolfpack tied the longest streak in school history since Lou Holtz led as head coach. They won 16 straight games on their home field of Carter Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC. Until the 2022 tie, the record has been upheld for nearly five decades.

The Wolfpack has practiced and recruited hard to make this winning streak happen. Back in June, the Wolfpack recruited six new players. 

“June has been crazy here, it’s been awesome,”  Doeren said. “It’s great to have players and families back in the building.” 

NC State was expected to win the game and news analysts with USA Today said it would be a low-scoring game and a possible historic moment for the Wolfpack. What better backdrop than Senior Night, to break the home game winning streak after coming off the big Wake Forest game? Boston College was in Raleigh and ready to hit the field.

The outcome was not in favor of the Wolfpack, and the Eagles walked off the field not only with a win of their own but also with the victory of breaking a long-standing home winning streak. 

Players and Doeren were equally frustrated with the way the game went.

“If you turn the ball over three times and you can’t convert on third down,  it’s hard to find a rhythm,” said Doeren.

Sometimes Senior Night just doesn’t end as everyone would like. Sometimes the underdog pulls out the upset. Being ranked #17, NC State built an early 14-point lead, yet saw Boston College fight from behind for a 21-20 victory that ended the Pack’s 16-game win streak. 

Although the home winning streak is over, the amazing atmosphere at Carter Finley will be back again next fall season. Doeren has repeatedly noted the value of a rowdy home atmosphere this season.

 “When the fans are cheering loudly in a positive fashion for their team, just understand what that does to the psyche of a young person,” Doeren said to the Associated Press. “It’s awesome for our team to have that kind of backing.”