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NC State football vs. Louisville: Scouting report and score prediction

david thompson, the fayetteville observer
·4 min read

NC State football (7-3, 3-3 ACC) and Louisville (6-4, 3-4 ACC) both enter Saturday's contest looking for a bounce-back victory after having win streaks snapped last week.

The Wolfpack's surprising 21-20 loss to Boston College snapped a 16-game home win streak while the Cardinals' four-game win streak was ended by a 31-16 defeat at the hands of No. 9 Clemson.

Neither team has lost consecutive games this season. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Cardinal Stadium.

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Will Malik Cunningham play?

Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs with the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Louisville quarterback Malik Cunningham (3) runs with the ball in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson, Saturday, Nov. 12, 2022, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)

Louisville starting quarterback Malik Cunningham missed the second half against Clemson with a right shoulder injury that Cardinals coach Scott Satterfield believed to be an AC sprain. He said Tuesday afternoon he wasn’t sure of the specific injury details but noted there was some bruising around Cunningham’s shoulder. Cunningham has been ruled day-to-day.

“I think for him, he wants to play,” Satterfield said. “He wants to finish it out. We'll take it day by day. We'll see where he's at. If he's healthy enough to play, he'll play. If he's not, then Brock will play.”

If Cunningham can't play, Brock Domann will get his second start of the season. He played against Virginia when Cunningham was out with a concussion. Domann does not have the same running ability as Cunningham but has a steady arm. He has compiled 584 yards and two touchdowns on 40-for-77 throwing so far this season.

What's at stake?

Clemson has already claimed the Atlantic Division this season, but Saturday's game will go a long way in deciding third place, and for NC State, a win would keep them in the running for second place in the division.

The Wolfpack are currently two games behind Florida State (5-3) in the division and with the head-to-head over the Seminoles – they beat FSU 19-17 – victories over Louisville and UNC to end the season would give them the second spot.

NC State was predicted to finish second in the ACC preseason poll.

A win Saturday would give Louisville the head-to-head advantage over the Wolfpack. The Cardinals would also need the Orange to lose their next two games, both on the road against Wake Forest and Boston College, respectively. Should Syracuse and NC State lose back-to-back games to end the regular season, Louisville could finish as high as third place.

Rumors, rumors everywhere

Nov 12, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback MJ Morris (16) throws a pass during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2022; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina State Wolfpack quarterback MJ Morris (16) throws a pass during the first half against the Boston College Eagles at Carter-Finley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Kinnan-USA TODAY Sports

The internet can be a dangerous place.

Rumors have floated around this week about several major NC State injuries, including true freshman quarterback MJ Morris, tight end Trent Pennix and center Grant Gibson

While none of these rumors have been confirmed by the program, Gibson did limp off the field during the second quarter against Boston College and never returned. If it's a season-ending injury, it would be a brutal way for Gibson to end his Wolfpack career. Pennix tweeted on Nov. 15 that "He (GOD) will always have a plan for you! #TrustTheProcess" which is slightly cryptic but does suggest his season is over.

As for Morris, a source to the USA TODAY Network that he was limping to his postgame press conference after taking several big hits against Boston College. Morris, Pennix and Gibson, however, were listed on the depth chart as starters on Tuesday.

Recent history says, though, that doesn't mean much. Devin Leary was listed as the starting quarterback against Syracuse before NC State ruled him out for the season two hours before kickoff.

If Morris is out, backup and 25-year-old Charleston Southern transfer Jack Chambers will get the start at quarterback. Chambers previously led the Wolfpack (7-3, 3-3 ACC) to a comeback win over Florida State after Devin Leary's season-ending injury, and then started during a 24-9 loss to Syracuse. He and Morris played in the first half against Virginia Tech before Morris took over for good in the second half.

NC State football vs. Louisville score prediction

Louisville 21, NC State 17: This one is particularly hard to predict with Morris' availability still in question. If he does not play, the Wolfpack will struggle to put points on the board.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: NC State football vs. Louisville: Scouting report and score prediction